Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Cisco VIRL VS GNS3

Compare Cisco VIRL VS GNS3 and see what are their differences

Cisco VIRL logo Cisco VIRL

Cisco VIRL is a next-gen network virtualization and orchestration platform that enables you to accomplish multiple tasks like creating and customizing simulated networks with third-party and Cisco objects by means of a graphical utility.

GNS3 logo GNS3

GNS3 is a graphical network simulator that allows simulation of complex networks.
  • Cisco VIRL Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-19
  • GNS3 Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-06

Cisco VIRL videos

A Review of Cisco VIRL

More videos:

  • Review - Cisco VIRL download, installation and configuration (Part 1): Overview

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 VIRL and GNS3)
Simulation Software
34 34%
66% 66
Technical Computing
30 30%
70% 70
Tool
36 36%
64% 64
Education & Reference
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

Share your experience with using Cisco VIRL and GNS3. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, GNS3 seems to be a lot more popular than Cisco VIRL. While we know about 11 links to GNS3, we've tracked only 1 mention of Cisco VIRL. 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 VIRL mentions (1)

  • Cisco Modeling Labs - Personal
    Just found out my own answer. It is the new version of VIRL stated here: https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/s/virl. Source: about 2 years ago

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: 7 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: 11 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: over 1 year ago
  • How to escape from Helpdesk hell ?
    Allow me to introduce you to https://gns3.com/. Source: over 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
View more

What are some alternatives?

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

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

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

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

FlexSim - Simulation software to model, simulate, predict, and visualize systems in manufacturing, material handling, healthcare, warehousing, mining, etc.

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.

IMUNES - IMUNES is a cost-effective and efficient Integrated Multiprotocol Network Simulator/Emulator that functions as a tool for Linux and FreeBSD.