Cisco IOS AlternativesRouter Custom Firmwares and other similar apps like Cisco IOS

Cisco IOS is described as '(originally Internetwork Operating System) is a family of software used on most Cisco Systems routers and current Cisco network switches. (Earlier switches ran CatOS.) IOS is a package of routing, switching, internetworking and telecommunications functions integrated' and is a router custom firmware. There are five alternatives to Cisco IOS for a variety of platforms, including Linux, Self-Hosted, VMware Workstation Pro, GNS3 and VMware Workstation Player apps. The best Cisco IOS alternative is MikroTik RouterOS. It's not free, so if you're looking for a free alternative, you could try ZEVENET or Quagga. Other great apps like Cisco IOS are VyOS and Junos OS.

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Alternatives list

  1. MikroTik RouterOS icon

    MikroTik RouterOS

     32 likes
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    Linux-based system converts standard PCs into customizable routers, featuring advanced firewall, VPN server and client, bandwidth control, QoS, wireless AP, captive portal, remote management, industry protocol support, automation, and scalable licensing for network needs.

    26 MikroTik RouterOS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Pay once
    • Proprietary

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Self-Hosted
    MikroTik RouterOS screenshot 1
     

    • MikroTik RouterOS is the most popular Web-based & Self-Hosted alternative to Cisco IOS.

    • MikroTik RouterOS is the most popular commercial alternative to Cisco IOS.

    • MikroTik RouterOS is Paid and ProprietaryCisco IOS is also Paid and Proprietary
  2. VyOS icon

    VyOS

     12 likes
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    VyOS is a community fork of Vyatta , a Linux-based network operating system that provides software-based network routing, firewall, and VPN functionality.

    23 VyOS alternatives

    Cost / License

    • Subscription
    • Open Source

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux
    VyOS screenshot 1
     

    • VyOS is the most popular Linux alternative to Cisco IOS.

    • VyOS is the most popular Open Source alternative to Cisco IOS.

    • VyOS is Paid and Open SourceCisco IOS is Paid and Proprietary
  4. ZEVENET icon

    ZEVENET

     4 likes
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    Our products are based under the unique terms of no limitations and no vendor lock-in technology in order to provide the best performance, high support level directly from the vendor, development agility in order to be integrated with any application or infrastructure and...

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    ZEVENET screenshot 1
     

    • ZEVENET is the most popular free alternative to Cisco IOS.

    • ZEVENET is Free and Open SourceCisco IOS is Paid and Proprietary
  5. Junos OS icon

    Junos OS

     1 like
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    Junos OS is the FreeBSD-based operating system used in Juniper Networks hardware routers. It is an operating system that is used in Juniper's routing, switching and security devices.

    Cost / License

    • Paid
    • Proprietary

    Application type

    Platforms

    • VirtualBox
    • Self-Hosted
    • VMware Workstation
    • GNS3
    • VMware Player
    Connecting with PuTTY
     

  6. Quagga

     5 likes
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    Quagga is a network routing software suite providing implementations of Open Shortest Path First (OSPF), Routing Information Protocol (RIP), Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) and IS-IS for Unix-like platforms, particularly Linux, Solaris, FreeBSD and NetBSD.

    Cost / License

    • Free
    • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • BSD
     
5 of 5 Cisco IOS alternatives