Best Network Management Software in 2026
Updated
In short: ManageEngine Network Configuration Manager is ranked #1 of 26 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of TP-Link Omada SDN and Domotz. The best-ranked option with a free plan is TP-Link Omada SDN. The lowest first paid tier on this page is Domotz at $1.50/mo.
Managing a network can involve discovering devices, changing configurations, and keeping a record of those settings. Compare network discovery and managed device limits with configuration management and backup. Policy automation and API access can matter for how you handle recurring work, while deployment model helps distinguish operating approaches. Free-plan availability and paid-from pricing add cost details to consider. ManageEngine Network Configuration Manager, TP-Link Omada SDN, and UniFi Network are among the entries, alongside MikroTik RouterOS and Domotz. Use the published fields to focus on the capabilities and access terms relevant to the network you oversee.
26 network management software ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
Recognised 40% · Phone app 26% · Documented 20% · Free plan 14% of the score
- 1 ManageEngine Network Configuration Manager iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 9.5$19.83/mo Deployment model: on-premisesManaged device limit: 10 devicesNetwork discovery: Yes
- 2 TP-Link Omada SDN iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 8.3Free Deployment model: hybridNetwork discovery: Yes
- 3 Domotz iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.8$1.50/mo
- 4 UniFi Network iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.8Free Deployment model: hybridManaged device limit: 1,000 devicesNetwork discovery: Yes
- 5 Juniper Mist iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.7 Deployment model: cloud
- 6 MikroTik RouterOS iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.5$45/mo
- 7 Cisco Catalyst Center No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.4 Deployment model: hybridNetwork discovery: Yes
- 8 NetBrain No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.2 Deployment model: hybridNetwork discovery: Yes
- 9 Cisco Meraki Dashboard iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.2 Deployment model: cloudNetwork discovery: Yes
- 10 ExtremeCloud IQ No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.0 Deployment model: hybridNetwork discovery: Yes
- 11 IP Fabric No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.7 Deployment model: hybridNetwork discovery: Yes
- 12 Nokia Network Services Platform No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.6 Deployment model: on-premisesNetwork discovery: Yes
- 13 Synology Router Manager iPhone + Android RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.6 Deployment model: on-premisesNetwork discovery: Yes
- 14 Auvik Network Management No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.5
- 15 Gluware No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.5 Deployment model: hybridNetwork discovery: Yes
- 16 SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.5 Deployment model: hybridNetwork discovery: Yes
- 17 Juniper Apstra No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.2 Deployment model: on-premises
- 18 BackBox No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.2 Deployment model: hybrid
- 19 NetBox No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.2 Deployment model: hybridNetwork discovery: Yes
- 20 Itential Automation Platform No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.8 Deployment model: hybrid
- 21 Forward Enterprise No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.8 Deployment model: hybridNetwork discovery: Yes
- 22 Cambium cnMaestro No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.6 Deployment model: hybridNetwork discovery: Yes
- 23 HPE Intelligent Management Center No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.6 Deployment model: on-premisesManaged device limit: 50 devicesNetwork discovery: Yes
- 24 VyOS No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.5
- 25 OpenWISP No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.4 Deployment model: hybrid
Is your app on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which network management software is ranked first on Samsung Mobile US Press?
ManageEngine Network Configuration Manager is ranked #1 of 26 with a score of 9.5. TP-Link Omada SDN is second and Domotz third.
How many of these have a free plan?
4 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, Domotz has the lowest first paid tier we found: $1.50/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked mobile-first: a phone app alongside the web or desktop product, a free tier and the depth of its documentation. Paid placements never change a rank.