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.

filter to find the best alternatives

Cisco IOS alternatives are mainly Firewalls but may also be VPN Services or Router Custom Firmware.  Filter by these or use the filter bar below if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Cisco IOS.
Cisco IOS iconCisco IOS
  2
  • ...

Cisco IOS (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,...

More about Cisco IOS
More about Cisco IOS
Cisco IOS alternatives page was last updated May 29, 2020
  Suggest Alternatives
  1. MikroTik RouterOS icon
    MikroTik RouterOS icon

    MikroTik RouterOS

     32 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    The main product of MikroTik is a Linux-based operating system known as MikroTik RouterOS. Installed on a personal computer or server computer, it turns the computer into a network router, implementing features such as firewall rules, virtual private network (VPN) server and...

    24 MikroTik RouterOS alternatives
    MikroTik RouterOS screenshot 1

    License model

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Online
    • Self-Hosted

    MikroTik RouterOS Features

    1.  SSH
    2.  Wi-Fi Direct
    3.  User Management
    MikroTik RouterOS iconCisco IOS Icon

    MikroTik RouterOS VS Cisco IOS

    Is MikroTik RouterOS a good alternative to Cisco IOS?
     

    • 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 icon

    VyOS

     11 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

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

    21 VyOS alternatives
    VyOS screenshot 1

    License model

    Application types

    Platforms

    • Linux

    Properties

    1.  No Tracking

    Features

    1.  Command line interface
    2.  AES-256 Encryption
    3.  WireGuard
    4.  OpenVPN
    5.  Built-in VPN
    6.  End-to-End Encryption
    7.  Network Discovery
    VyOS iconCisco IOS Icon

    VyOS VS Cisco IOS

    Is VyOS a good alternative to Cisco IOS?
     

    • 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 icon

    ZEVENET

     4 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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...

    14 ZEVENET alternatives
    ZEVENET screenshot 1

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Application type

    Platforms

    • Linux

    ZEVENET Features

    1.  Support for Docker
    2.  Load balancing
    3.  High Availability
    ZEVENET iconCisco IOS Icon

    ZEVENET VS Cisco IOS

    Is ZEVENET a good alternative to Cisco IOS?
     

    • 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 icon

    Junos OS

     1 like
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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.

    4 Junos OS alternatives
    Connecting with PuTTY

    License model

    Application type

    Platforms

    • VirtualBox
    • Self-Hosted
    • VMware Workstation
    • GNS3
    • VMware Player
    On Vmware player
    Junos OS iconCisco IOS Icon

    Junos OS VS Cisco IOS

    Is Junos OS a good alternative to Cisco IOS?
     

  6. Quagga

     5 likes
    Copy a direct link to this comment to your clipboard

    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.

    9 Quagga alternatives

    License model

    • Free • Open Source

    Platforms

    • Linux
    • BSD
    Cisco IOS Icon

    Quagga VS Cisco IOS

    Is Quagga a good alternative to Cisco IOS?
     
5 of 5 Cisco IOS alternatives