Quick Overview
- 1#1: GNS3 - Open-source graphical network simulator for building and testing complex multi-vendor network topologies in virtual IT labs.
- 2#2: EVE-NG - Advanced multi-vendor network emulator platform for creating realistic IT lab environments with real device images.
- 3#3: Cisco Modeling Labs - Cisco's official virtualization platform for simulating enterprise networks and running certified IT training labs.
- 4#4: VMware Workstation Pro - Professional desktop hypervisor for running multiple virtual machines and simulating comprehensive IT lab setups.
- 5#5: Oracle VM VirtualBox - Free cross-platform virtualization software for easily creating and managing virtual machines in educational IT labs.
- 6#6: Proxmox VE - Open-source virtualization platform combining KVM hypervisor and LXC containers for scalable IT server labs.
- 7#7: Azure Lab Services - Cloud-based service for provisioning customizable virtual machine labs for IT training and development.
- 8#8: Google Cloud Skills Boost - Interactive cloud lab platform offering hands-on virtual environments for IT and cloud skills training.
- 9#9: Cisco Packet Tracer - Free network simulation tool for learning Cisco networking fundamentals through interactive IT labs.
- 10#10: KodeKloud Labs - Browser-based interactive labs for hands-on practice in DevOps, Kubernetes, and cloud IT environments.
We evaluated tools based on features (including multi-vendor support, realism, and scalability), technical quality (stability, update frequency), ease of use (interface intuitiveness, onboarding resources), and overall value (cost, accessibility, long-term utility), ensuring a list that balances strength and relevance.
Comparison Table
This comparison table examines popular virtualization and lab tools, including GNS3, EVE-NG, Cisco Modeling Labs, VMware Workstation Pro, Oracle VM VirtualBox, and others, to highlight their unique features and use cases. It serves as a guide for readers to identify the right tool for network simulation, training, or testing, balancing technical capabilities and practical relevance.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | GNS3 Open-source graphical network simulator for building and testing complex multi-vendor network topologies in virtual IT labs. | specialized | 9.5/10 | 9.8/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.9/10 |
| 2 | EVE-NG Advanced multi-vendor network emulator platform for creating realistic IT lab environments with real device images. | specialized | 9.1/10 | 9.6/10 | 7.7/10 | 9.3/10 |
| 3 | Cisco Modeling Labs Cisco's official virtualization platform for simulating enterprise networks and running certified IT training labs. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.4/10 | 7.6/10 | 8.3/10 |
| 4 | VMware Workstation Pro Professional desktop hypervisor for running multiple virtual machines and simulating comprehensive IT lab setups. | enterprise | 9.1/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.4/10 | 8.7/10 |
| 5 | Oracle VM VirtualBox Free cross-platform virtualization software for easily creating and managing virtual machines in educational IT labs. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.0/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 6 | Proxmox VE Open-source virtualization platform combining KVM hypervisor and LXC containers for scalable IT server labs. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.5/10 | 9.8/10 |
| 7 | Azure Lab Services Cloud-based service for provisioning customizable virtual machine labs for IT training and development. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 8.8/10 | 7.5/10 | 7.9/10 |
| 8 | Google Cloud Skills Boost Interactive cloud lab platform offering hands-on virtual environments for IT and cloud skills training. | enterprise | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 9 | Cisco Packet Tracer Free network simulation tool for learning Cisco networking fundamentals through interactive IT labs. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 9.8/10 |
| 10 | KodeKloud Labs Browser-based interactive labs for hands-on practice in DevOps, Kubernetes, and cloud IT environments. | specialized | 7.9/10 | 8.2/10 | 8.5/10 | 7.5/10 |
Open-source graphical network simulator for building and testing complex multi-vendor network topologies in virtual IT labs.
Advanced multi-vendor network emulator platform for creating realistic IT lab environments with real device images.
Cisco's official virtualization platform for simulating enterprise networks and running certified IT training labs.
Professional desktop hypervisor for running multiple virtual machines and simulating comprehensive IT lab setups.
Free cross-platform virtualization software for easily creating and managing virtual machines in educational IT labs.
Open-source virtualization platform combining KVM hypervisor and LXC containers for scalable IT server labs.
Cloud-based service for provisioning customizable virtual machine labs for IT training and development.
Interactive cloud lab platform offering hands-on virtual environments for IT and cloud skills training.
Free network simulation tool for learning Cisco networking fundamentals through interactive IT labs.
Browser-based interactive labs for hands-on practice in DevOps, Kubernetes, and cloud IT environments.
GNS3
specializedOpen-source graphical network simulator for building and testing complex multi-vendor network topologies in virtual IT labs.
Accurate emulation of real Cisco IOS images via Dynamips for production-like network behavior
GNS3 is a powerful open-source network simulation platform that allows users to design, configure, and test complex network topologies using real router and switch IOS images from vendors like Cisco, Juniper, and others. It integrates emulators such as Dynamips, QEMU, and Docker, along with virtual machines from VMware and VirtualBox, to create highly realistic virtual IT labs. Ideal for hands-on network training without expensive hardware, it supports automation scripting and packet capture for advanced troubleshooting.
Pros
- Extensive multi-vendor device support with real IOS emulation
- Seamless integration with hypervisors and containers for hybrid labs
- Strong community resources, plugins, and automation capabilities
Cons
- Steep initial learning curve for setup and configuration
- High resource consumption on host machine for large topologies
- GUI limitations for some advanced low-level customizations
Best For
Network engineers, IT students, and certification candidates (e.g., CCNA/CCNP) seeking realistic virtual labs for skill-building.
Pricing
Free open-source core software; optional paid GNS3 Academy courses ($10-500) and enterprise support.
EVE-NG
specializedAdvanced multi-vendor network emulator platform for creating realistic IT lab environments with real device images.
Integrated web-based topology designer with real-time node emulation and console access
EVE-NG is an open-source network emulator designed for creating and managing complex virtual IT labs through a intuitive web-based drag-and-drop interface. It supports emulation of devices from major vendors like Cisco, Juniper, Arista, Palo Alto, and others, allowing users to build scalable network topologies for testing, training, and certification preparation. Running on Linux bare-metal or VMs, it enables realistic multi-vendor network simulations without dedicated hardware.
Pros
- Broad multi-vendor device support including IOL, vMX, and containers
- Highly scalable for large-scale topologies (100+ nodes)
- Free Community Edition with robust core functionality
Cons
- Resource-intensive requiring powerful hardware
- Complex initial setup demands Linux proficiency
- Professional features like advanced console management require paid license
Best For
Advanced network engineers and certification candidates needing flexible, multi-vendor virtual labs.
Pricing
Community Edition free; Professional Edition starts at €120/year per user.
Cisco Modeling Labs
enterpriseCisco's official virtualization platform for simulating enterprise networks and running certified IT training labs.
Precise, official Cisco-backed emulation of production IOS images and hardware behaviors
Cisco Modeling Labs (CML) is a comprehensive network simulation platform designed for creating, running, and testing virtual network topologies using emulated Cisco devices. It supports a wide array of Cisco IOS, IOS-XE, IOS-XR, and NX-OS images, enabling realistic lab environments for training, certification prep, and design validation. Available in personal and enterprise editions, CML excels in scalability and automation integration via REST APIs and Python scripting.
Pros
- Exceptionally accurate emulation of Cisco hardware and software
- Supports massive scale topologies with thousands of nodes in enterprise mode
- Robust automation capabilities with Python, REST API, and integration tools
Cons
- Heavy focus on Cisco limits multi-vendor flexibility
- Resource-intensive, requiring powerful hardware for complex labs
- Steep learning curve and setup complexity for non-experts
Best For
Network engineers, Cisco certification students, and IT teams focused on Cisco-centric training and simulation.
Pricing
Free Personal edition (up to 20 nodes, single user); Enterprise subscriptions from ~$2,000/year per concurrent user with advanced scaling.
VMware Workstation Pro
enterpriseProfessional desktop hypervisor for running multiple virtual machines and simulating comprehensive IT lab setups.
Complex virtual networking with support for multiple adapters, VLAN tagging, and teaming to replicate enterprise IT infrastructures
VMware Workstation Pro is a robust Type-2 hypervisor that enables users to run multiple virtual machines (VMs) on a single desktop or laptop, making it ideal for creating isolated IT lab environments. It supports a wide range of guest operating systems, advanced networking configurations, and features like snapshots and cloning to simulate complex network topologies and server setups. Perfect for IT training, software testing, and certification prep, it provides enterprise-grade virtualization capabilities on personal hardware.
Pros
- Superior performance with hardware-assisted virtualization and GPU support
- Advanced networking options including VLANs, host-only, and bridged modes for realistic lab simulations
- Snapshot, cloning, and suspend/resume features for quick lab resets and experimentation
Cons
- Resource-intensive, requiring powerful host hardware for multiple VMs
- Steeper learning curve for advanced networking and configuration
- Commercial licensing adds cost beyond free personal use
Best For
IT professionals, students, and educators needing high-fidelity virtual labs for network simulation, server testing, and certification training on desktop systems.
Pricing
Free for personal, educational, and open-source use; commercial perpetual license ~$250 or subscription options via Broadcom.
Oracle VM VirtualBox
specializedFree cross-platform virtualization software for easily creating and managing virtual machines in educational IT labs.
Seamless mode integration that blends guest applications into the host desktop for a natural lab workflow
Oracle VM VirtualBox is a free, open-source virtualization software that enables users to run multiple guest operating systems on a single host machine, making it suitable for creating virtual IT labs for testing, training, and development. It supports a wide range of guest OSes including Windows, Linux, macOS, and Solaris, with features like snapshots, cloning, and basic networking for isolated lab environments. Cross-platform compatibility on Windows, Linux, macOS, and Solaris hosts provides flexibility for diverse IT lab setups.
Pros
- Completely free core software with no licensing limits for most lab uses
- Excellent snapshot and cloning capabilities ideal for repeatable IT lab scenarios
- Broad guest OS support and cross-platform host compatibility
Cons
- Performance can lag behind proprietary alternatives for high-resource VMs
- Advanced networking setup requires manual configuration and has limitations
- Lacks built-in centralized management for large-scale lab deployments
Best For
Students, educators, and small IT teams needing a cost-free solution for personal or classroom-based virtual labs.
Pricing
Core software is free and open-source; Extension Pack for USB 2.0/3.0 and RDP is free for personal/evaluation use but requires a commercial license for business.
Proxmox VE
enterpriseOpen-source virtualization platform combining KVM hypervisor and LXC containers for scalable IT server labs.
Seamless integration of KVM full virtualization and LXC containers within a single web-managed platform
Proxmox VE is a powerful open-source virtualization platform based on Debian Linux, utilizing KVM for full virtual machines and LXC for lightweight containers, all managed via an intuitive web-based interface. It excels in creating scalable virtual IT lab environments with features like clustering, live migration, high availability, and integrated backup/restore capabilities. Users can easily set up complex networked lab topologies for training, testing, and development without licensing costs.
Pros
- Completely free and open-source with no hidden costs
- Hybrid support for both KVM VMs and LXC containers in one platform
- Robust web UI for clustering, backups, and resource management
Cons
- Steep learning curve for non-Linux users during initial setup
- Limited native Windows guest optimizations compared to proprietary hypervisors
- Web interface can feel cluttered for very large-scale lab deployments
Best For
IT admins, educators, and homelab enthusiasts building cost-effective, scalable virtual labs on Linux hardware.
Pricing
Core platform is free and open-source; optional enterprise support subscriptions start at €90 per CPU-year.
Azure Lab Services
enterpriseCloud-based service for provisioning customizable virtual machine labs for IT training and development.
Automated lab lifecycle management with integrated scheduling and cost-optimization tools
Azure Lab Services is a cloud-based platform from Microsoft that allows educators, trainers, and developers to create, manage, and scale virtual machine labs for hands-on IT training and testing. It provides pre-configured VM templates, automated scheduling, access controls, and usage quotas to streamline lab deployment. Users can customize environments with Azure resources and integrate with Microsoft tools for seamless educational or professional workflows.
Pros
- Deep integration with Azure ecosystem and Microsoft 365 for hybrid environments
- Robust scheduling, quotas, and auto-shutdown features for cost control
- Scalable templates and multi-VM support for complex IT lab scenarios
Cons
- Steep learning curve for non-Azure users due to portal complexity
- Pricing tied to Azure VM costs can escalate with heavy usage
- Limited customization outside Azure-supported images and regions
Best For
Educational institutions and corporate IT trainers seeking scalable, cloud-managed labs integrated with Microsoft infrastructure.
Pricing
Pay-as-you-go model based on VM compute hours ($0.01-$0.50+/hour per core depending on size); $10/month lab creator fee; free tier for small labs.
Google Cloud Skills Boost
enterpriseInteractive cloud lab platform offering hands-on virtual environments for IT and cloud skills training.
Instant-access GCP sandboxes using real Google Cloud projects and resources, billed to Google's account for authentic practice
Google Cloud Skills Boost is an interactive online learning platform designed to build Google Cloud expertise through hands-on labs, quests, and challenges. It offers browser-based virtual IT labs where users can practice real-world GCP configurations without needing personal cloud accounts or setups. The platform includes structured learning paths, skill badges, and preparation for Google Cloud certifications, making it a comprehensive training hub for cloud professionals.
Pros
- Free access to hundreds of high-quality, browser-based GCP labs with real cloud resources
- Seamless integration of quests, badges, and certification prep in one platform
- No setup required; labs spin up instantly with Google's infrastructure
Cons
- Limited to Google Cloud ecosystem; lacks multi-cloud or on-premises lab support
- Some advanced labs and quests require purchasing credits or subscriptions
- Pacing can feel rigid for self-paced learners outside structured paths
Best For
Cloud enthusiasts, IT professionals, and certification candidates seeking hands-on Google Cloud training in a fully managed virtual lab environment.
Pricing
Mostly free for core labs and quests; premium content via credits ($1-50 per lab) or subscriptions starting at $29/month.
Cisco Packet Tracer
specializedFree network simulation tool for learning Cisco networking fundamentals through interactive IT labs.
Seamless integration with NetAcad for thousands of pre-built, instructor-led labs and auto-graded assessments
Cisco Packet Tracer is a free network simulation software developed by Cisco for educational purposes, allowing users to design, configure, and troubleshoot virtual networks using realistic Cisco devices and protocols. Integrated with the Cisco Networking Academy (netacad.com), it provides guided labs, assessments, and hands-on practice for networking certifications like CCNA. It extends beyond traditional networking to include IoT devices, cybersecurity scenarios, and basic programming with Python, serving as a virtual IT lab for students and educators.
Pros
- Highly realistic simulations of Cisco hardware and protocols
- Free access with extensive lab libraries via NetAcad
- Supports multi-user collaboration and IoT/programming extensions
Cons
- Limited support for non-Cisco devices and vendors
- Occasional inaccuracies in complex or edge-case simulations
- Requires NetAcad registration and can have a learning curve for beginners
Best For
Networking students, educators, and certification candidates in Cisco Networking Academy seeking hands-on virtual labs.
Pricing
Free with Cisco Networking Academy account registration; no premium tiers required for core features.
KodeKloud Labs
specializedBrowser-based interactive labs for hands-on practice in DevOps, Kubernetes, and cloud IT environments.
Scenario-based labs with automated verification that simulate real IT workflows
KodeKloud Labs is a browser-based virtual IT labs platform providing hands-on environments for practicing skills in Linux, DevOps, Kubernetes, AWS, and other cloud technologies. Users access pre-configured labs instantly without local setup, complete scenario-based tasks, and receive automated verification. It integrates with KodeKloud's courses for structured learning paths.
Pros
- Browser-based access with no installation required
- Wide variety of scenario-based labs for real-world practice
- Automated task verification and progress tracking
Cons
- Full access requires paid subscription
- Performance can vary based on internet and browser
- Limited options for fully custom lab environments
Best For
IT students, DevOps learners, and certification candidates seeking guided hands-on practice without complex setups.
Pricing
Free tier with limited labs; Pro subscription at $29/month or $299/year for unlimited access.
Conclusion
The top 10 virtual IT labs software showcase diverse strengths, with the leading trio setting the standard. GNS3 emerges as the top choice, valued for its open-source flexibility and capacity to simulate complex multi-vendor network setups. EVE-NG follows closely, excelling in creating realistic environments with real device images, while Cisco Modeling Labs stands out for enterprise-focused, certified training. Each brings unique advantages, ensuring the top three cater to varied needs.
Dive into virtual IT labs with GNS3 to experience its open-source power and multi-vendor capabilities, or explore EVE-NG or Cisco Modeling Labs if realism or certification align with your goals.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison