Software Alternatives & Reviews

Cisco Packet Tracer VS GNS3

Compare Cisco Packet Tracer VS GNS3 and see what are their differences

Cisco Packet Tracer logo Cisco Packet Tracer

Download Cisco Packet Tracer, an innovative network simulation and visualization tool used by Cisco Networking Academy students and instructors.

GNS3 logo GNS3

GNS3 is a graphical network simulator that allows simulation of complex networks.
  • Cisco Packet Tracer Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-04-04
  • GNS3 Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-06

Cisco Packet Tracer videos

Review Cisco Packet Tracer

GNS3 videos

CCNA Labs - Packet Tracer or GNS3?

More videos:

  • Review - Packet Tracer vs GNS3 vs VIRL vs Physical Equipment (Part 1). Which is best?
  • Review - GNS3 2.1.3 Basic Full Setup Guide For Beginners (2018) Start To Finish

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Cisco Packet Tracer and GNS3)
Tool
65 65%
35% 35
Technical Computing
58 58%
42% 42
Simulation Software
50 50%
50% 50
Network & Admin
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

Share your experience with using Cisco Packet Tracer and GNS3. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, GNS3 seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 11 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Cisco Packet Tracer mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Cisco Packet Tracer yet. Tracking of Cisco Packet Tracer recommendations started around Mar 2021.

GNS3 mentions (11)

  • Where do I go from here?
    If you mean a Cisco 2950, I guess you want to learn Networking. So a good place to start is to run GNS3 (https://gns3.com). You can download a VM image and run that, that's what I do. GNS3 is a great learning tool and you can use both real (your 2950) and virtual devices to make networks. Source: 6 months ago
  • Exploiting Wpa3
    GNS3 is the software your looking for it can be found here https://gns3.com let me know if you could use some resources on it. Source: 10 months ago
  • What skills are great to learn in a home lab for a beginner in IT ?
    GNS3 is a network device emulator, and more than a few devices requires lots of CPU and RAM resources. You need to pay for a licence for each device you want to emulate. Source: about 1 year ago
  • How to escape from Helpdesk hell ?
    Allow me to introduce you to https://gns3.com/. Source: about 1 year ago
  • Cisco Routers for Learning?
    You might want to look into GNS3. It's a network emulator that supports Cisco ISO devices. It's been a while since I last used it, but at the time I found it to be indispensable as a learning tool. Source: over 1 year ago
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What are some alternatives?

When comparing Cisco Packet Tracer and GNS3, you can also consider the following products

ns-3 - a discrete-event network simulator for internet systems

NetSim - NetSim software was created to simulate various Cisco systems. Cisco software is known around the world as being one of the best network, routing and switch systems for businesses and private use. Read more about NetSim.

Ranplan Wireless - Ranplan Wireless is a leading platform that has revolutionized itself with innovative wireless tools and software based on extensive technology.

Paessler Multi Server Simulator - Paessler Multi Server Simulator is inexpensive and robust software that helps you power massive-scale testing.

Free SNMP Agent Simulator - Verax Systems provides applications covering the entire IT & Telco service lifecycle from definition through provisioning and monitoring up to billing.

Dynamips - Dynamips is an emulator computer program that was written to emulate Cisco routers.