Short answer: yes, Cisco Packet Tracer is 100% free. The confusion comes from the part nobody mentions until you go to download it — Cisco hides the free software behind a free Cisco Networking Academy (NetAcad) account. This guide breaks down what Packet Tracer actually costs, why the account is required, and what to do if the account or course enrollment is the thing standing between you and your lab.
What does Cisco Packet Tracer cost?
Nothing. There is:
- No purchase price and no subscription.
- No "pro" or paid version — every feature ships in the single free build.
- No expiring trial. It keeps working.
If a site is charging you for Packet Tracer itself, walk away — they're reselling something Cisco gives away for free.
Then why does it feel gated?
Because the download isn't on a public page. Cisco distributes Packet Tracer only through Cisco Networking Academy, so you need a free NetAcad account, and the download lives inside a course or the Resource Hub rather than on a "Download" button.
Here's the honest breakdown of what "free" really involves:
| What | Cost | Required? |
|---|---|---|
| Packet Tracer software | Free | — |
| Cisco Networking Academy account | Free | Yes, to download the desktop app |
| "Getting Started with Cisco Packet Tracer" course | Free | One way to unlock the download |
| A supported computer (Windows / macOS / Ubuntu) | — | Yes — it won't run on ChromeOS |
So the price is genuinely zero. The friction is the account, the course enrollment, the ~870 MB install, and the fact that it won't run on a Chromebook or a locked-down school laptop.
The NetAcad account is also a Cisco account. Creating one is free and takes a couple of minutes; Google sign-in works. Once you're in, grab the installer from the Resource Hub or the free Getting Started course — see the full Cisco Packet Tracer download guide for the step-by-step.
Can I practice without a NetAcad account?
You can't download Cisco's desktop app without the NetAcad account — that gate is unavoidable, and it's the only legitimate source. But if the account, the course enrollment, or the install is the blocker, you don't have to stop there.
NetPilot runs in your browser with no NetAcad enrollment — just a free NetPilot account you create in about 30 seconds:
- Describe a lab in plain English and get a fully configured Cisco Packet Tracer
.pktfile to open and submit. - Learn the why. As an AI tutor, NetPilot explains each configuration decision, not just the answer.
- Or skip
.pktand practice on real Cisco IOL command lines in the cloud over SSH.
NetPilot has a free tier, so you can start without paying. Cisco Packet Tracer stays the companion environment where you open and submit your file — NetPilot is the tutor alongside it, never a replacement.
So, is it worth getting the NetAcad account?
If you're on a supported computer and your course expects the desktop app, yes — make the free account and download Packet Tracer. It's the right tool for offline CCNA fundamentals. If the account gate, the install, or your device is in the way, build the same labs in the browser instead and keep moving.
FAQ
How much does Cisco Packet Tracer cost?
Nothing. Cisco Packet Tracer is completely free for self-learners and students. There is no purchase, no subscription, and no trial that expires — the only requirement is a free Cisco Networking Academy account.
Does Cisco Packet Tracer have a paid or pro version?
No. There is no paid tier, no "pro" edition, and no feature unlock. Every feature of Packet Tracer is available in the single free version. Anyone charging for Packet Tracer itself is reselling something Cisco gives away.
Why do I need a Cisco Networking Academy account to download Packet Tracer?
Cisco distributes Packet Tracer only through Cisco Networking Academy (netacad.com) so it can tie the tool to its learning platform and serve the official, current build. The account is the gate; the software behind it is still free. It is also the only legitimate source — third-party download sites may host outdated or modified versions.
Is the Cisco Networking Academy account free?
Yes. Creating a NetAcad account is free, and you can enroll in the free "Getting Started with Cisco Packet Tracer" course (or use the Resource Hub) to unlock the download at no cost. Google sign-in is accepted.
Can I practice Cisco labs without a NetAcad account?
Yes — just not with Cisco's desktop app, which always requires the NetAcad account to download. To skip NetAcad entirely, NetPilot runs in your browser with only a free NetPilot account (about 30 seconds): describe a lab, get a ready-to-open .pkt, and practice on real Cisco IOL command lines in the cloud.
Related reading
- How to Use Cisco Packet Tracer on a Chromebook — when the install is blocked on a school or ChromeOS device
- Cisco Packet Tracer Labs Collection — every way to get ready-made Packet Tracer labs
- Best AI Tools for Packet Tracer — the AI tools for Packet Tracer, ranked
- Cisco Packet Tracer Download — version, OS support, and step-by-step install
Don't want to wait on the NetAcad account? Try NetPilot free — build a fully configured Packet Tracer .pkt in your browser in about two minutes, no NetAcad enrollment required.