Cisco IOS Alternatives

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, GNS3 and VMware 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.

Cisco IOS alternatives are mainly Firewalls but may also be VPN Services or Router Custom Firmware. Filter by these if you want a narrower list of alternatives or looking for a specific functionality of Cisco IOS.

Cisco IOS

Paid • Proprietary
Router Custom Firmware

Cisco IOS (originally Internetwork Operating System) is a family of software used on most Cisco Systems routers and current...

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MikroTik RouterOS
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Paid • Proprietary
Firewall
Router Custom Firmware
VPN Service
Online
Self-Hosted
22 MikroTik RouterOS alternatives
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...
- - 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.
Suggest and vote on features
MikroTik RouterOS Features
SSH
Wi-Fi Direct
User Management
VyOS
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Paid • Open Source
Firewall
VPN Service
Operating System
Linux
20 VyOS alternatives
VyOS is a community fork of Vyatta , a Linux-based network operating system that provides software-based network routing, firewall, and VPN functionality.
- - VyOS is the most popular Linux alternative to Cisco IOS.
- - VyOS is the most popular Open Source alternative to Cisco IOS.
Suggest and vote on features
VyOS Features
1. Command line interfaceVyOS either have CLI support or is a CLI-only app.
2. AES-256 EncryptionVyOS has AES-256 Encryption, i.e. very strong security.
3. No TrackingVyOS will not track you or use your personal data.
4. WireGuardVyOS supports the Wireguard protocol for encrypted VPN traffic.
5. OpenVPNVyOS supports OpenVPN, one of the most secure and reliable VPN protocols.
6. Built-in VPNVyOS has a built-in VPN feature that enhances your privacy and allows you to browse the web from anywhere.
7. End-to-End EncryptionVyOS has E2E Encryption, for entire or parts of the app.
Network Discovery
Junos OS
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Paid • Proprietary
Router Custom Firmware
VirtualBox
Self-Hosted
VMware Workstation
GNS3
VMware Player
4 Junos OS alternatives
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.
Junos OS has no features, suggest some!
ZEVENET
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Linux
13 ZEVENET alternatives
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...
- - ZEVENET is the most popular free alternative to Cisco IOS.
Suggest and vote on features
ZEVENET Features
Support for Docker
Load balancing
High Availability
Quagga
Is this is a good alternative?
Yes
No
Free • Open Source
Linux
BSD
9 Quagga alternatives
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.
Quagga has no features, suggest some!
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5 of 5 Cisco IOS alternatives

Cisco IOS Alternatives

MikroTik RouterOS

MikroTik RouterOS Features

VyOS

VyOS Features

Junos OS

ZEVENET

ZEVENET Features

Quagga