Network Automation Platforms are software systems that automate and orchestrate the configuration, deployment, and management of network infrastructure. Unlike network automation tools which are software applications that automate specific tasks.
Free Network Automation Platforms
1. Nautobot
Nautobot is an open-source Network Source of Truth (NSoT) and Automation Platform. It provides a flexible data model to represent device inventory, IP addresses, interconnections, topology, and configuration/state, and uses an intent-based model to capture desired network state. Robust REST and GraphQL APIs and the Nautobot App Ecosystem (e.g., Golden Config, Device Lifecycle Management, SSoT) integrate with external systems to orchestrate zero-touch provisioning (ZTP), day-2 operations, and remediation—maintaining compliance and preventing configuration/policy drift. Designed for complex, multi-vendor environments, Nautobot streamlines provisioning, reduces manual effort, and increases operational consistency. By serving as a centralized, authoritative source for devices and intended state, Nautobot replaces manual network management with automated, programmatic workflows that support modern, data-driven operations.
Nautobot is Open Source and also as licensed supported version for enterprise, if you want a free network automation platform Nautobot is pretty incredible. But if you want the benefit of enterprise support check out the commercial offerings, they also have a cloud offering as well.
I’ve been using Nautobot for over 2 years now every day and it keeps getting better.
Commercial Network Automation Platforms
1. Itential
Itential Automation Platform is a software designed to support network automation and orchestration across diverse environments, including cloud, virtual, and physical infrastructure.
The software enables integration with various IT systems and network technologies through prebuilt adapters and APIs, allowing users to design, execute, and manage network workflows and automation tasks. It facilitates configuration management, policy enforcement, compliance checks, and monitoring by providing a central interface for automating routine and complex network operations.
The platform addresses challenges related to reducing manual intervention, minimizing configuration errors, and accelerating service delivery across enterprise and service provider networks.
For more info check out https://www.itential.com
2. Cisco NSO (Network Services Orchestrator)
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3. Juniper Apstra
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4. Ansible Automation Platform
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5. Flock 9 (Netpicker & Slurp’it)
Flock9 connects discovery, validation and automation into one scalable operating model. Open by design, practical by nature, and built to work with the tools your teams already trust, and never locking you in.
Network automation does not fail because teams lack tools. It fails because discovery, source of truth, compliance, remediation and reporting all live in separate places.
Flock9 connects those capabilities into one operating model — without replacing the tools your teams already trust.
For more info check out https://flock9.io
6. Gluware
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7. IP Fabric
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8. Backbox
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Best Network Automation Platforms for Compliance & Configuration Drift
Network Automation Platforms Comparison Table
| Platform | Type | Multi-Vendor Support | Best For | Key Strength | Pricing Model |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nautobot | Open source (paid enterprise support available) | Yes | Teams wanting a free, extensible Network Source of Truth + automation platform | Data model + app ecosystem (Golden Config, SSoT, Device Lifecycle Mgmt) for drift prevention | Free (self-hosted); paid support/enterprise tier via Network to Code |
| Itential | Commercial | Yes | Enterprises needing prebuilt adapters across cloud, virtual, and physical infra | Low-code workflow builder with a large library of prebuilt integrations | Custom quote |
| Cisco NSO | Commercial | Yes (via device abstraction layer) | Large enterprises and service providers, especially telecom | Northbound/southbound API bridge with strong multivendor device support | Custom quote, no free tier |
| Juniper Apstra | Commercial | Yes | Data center automation across mixed-vendor fabrics | Closed-loop intent-based automation with continuous validation and Terraform integration | Custom quote |
| Ansible Automation Platform | Commercial (built on open-source Ansible) | Yes | Teams standardizing on playbook-based config management at scale | Broad module ecosystem, strong community, easy on-ramp from open-source Ansible | Per-node subscription |
| Flock9 | Commercial | Yes | Teams wanting discovery and compliance/validation layered onto an existing source of truth (NetBox, Nautobot, Infrahub) | Modular Netpicker (validation, compliance, remediation) + Slurp’it (discovery, inventory) instead of a single monolithic platform | Custom quote |
| BackBox | Commercial | Yes | Security-focused config backup, compliance, and change automation | Automated backups plus compliance/vulnerability remediation workflows | Custom quote |
| Gluware | Commercial | Yes | Enterprises replacing homegrown scripts with low-code automation | Adaptive, model-driven automation without heavy coding requirements | Custom quote |
| IP Fabric | Commercial | Yes | Network assurance and automated documentation | Continuous network discovery, topology mapping, and state verification | Custom quote |
For the complete list check out the Gartner Report
Network Automation Platforms vs Network Automation Tools
If network automation platforms are the broad software systems that automate and orchestrate network operations, then network automation tools are the specific applications, frameworks, or utilities used to perform those automation tasks.
Definition
Network automation tools are software applications that automate specific networking tasks such as device configuration, provisioning, monitoring, testing, compliance checking, and troubleshooting across network infrastructure.
They are often used within, or alongside, larger network automation platforms.
Examples of Network Automation Tools
Configuration Management & Provisioning
- Ansible
- SaltStack
- Puppet
- Chef
These tools automate device configuration and ensure consistent network settings across multiple devices.
Automation Frameworks & Libraries
- Python
- Netmiko
- NAPALM
- PyATS
These allow engineers to create custom automation scripts and workflows.
Infrastructure as Code (IaC)
- Terraform
- OpenTofu
Used to provision and manage network and cloud infrastructure through code.
Network Testing & Validation
- Batfish
- Cisco pyATS
- Robot Framework
Used to verify network configurations and validate changes before deployment.
API & Workflow Automation
- Postman
- Python Requests
- Apache Airflow
Used to interact with network device APIs and orchestrate automated workflows.
Relationship Between Platforms and Tools
| Network Automation Platform | Network Automation Tool |
|---|---|
| Provides end-to-end orchestration and management | Performs specific automation tasks |
| Often includes multiple tools and workflows | Usually focuses on a particular function |
| Example: Cisco NSO, Itential, Juniper Apstra | Example: Ansible, Netmiko, Terraform |
Simple Distinction
- Platform = the complete automation ecosystem.
- Tool = the individual utility that carries out an automation task.
For example, Cisco NSO is a network automation platform, while Ansible and Netmiko are network automation tools that can be used independently or integrated into a platform.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the difference between network automation and network orchestration platforms?
Network automation platforms focus on executing individual tasks — pushing configs, provisioning devices, running compliance checks — usually against one device or one workflow at a time. Network orchestration platforms sit a layer above that: they coordinate multiple automation tasks, tools, and systems together into a single end-to-end process, often across different vendors, domains, or even different automation platforms.
A simple way to frame it for readers:
- Automation answers “how do I do this one thing without doing it by hand?” (e.g., push a VLAN config to 200 switches).
- Orchestration answers “how do I sequence many of these things, in the right order, with the right dependencies, to deliver a full service?” (e.g., provision a new customer circuit — which might mean automating config on the access switch, updating the source of truth, triggering a firewall rule change, and confirming with a validation test, all as one coordinated workflow).
In practice the line blurs — most modern platforms (Itential, Cisco NSO) do both — but the distinction matters for search intent: someone searching “orchestration” usually already has automation in place and is looking to stitch multiple systems/workflows together, while someone searching “automation” is often still trying to eliminate manual, one-off tasks.
Conclusion:
In my opinion Nautoot is one of the best network automation platforms supporting multi-vendor environments including Cisco, Juniper, and cloud networks. It is also one of the best platforms for network compliance automation and one of the most trusted network automation platforms by network engineers based on user reviews.
If you are looking for one of the best network automation platforms with pre-built vendor templates Itential is where you should be looking.
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