Running your own lab server is a job. Network Lab as a Service (LaaS) eliminates it — someone else handles the infrastructure, you focus on networking.
Here's every option in 2026 and when each makes sense.
Quick Comparison
| Service | What It Hosts | AI | Setup | Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CloudMyLab | EVE-NG / GNS3 / CML | No | Hours (topology + configs) | Custom quote | Teams needing hosted EVE-NG |
| NetPilot | ContainerLab | Yes | 2 minutes | Free tier / $25/mo | AI-powered multi-vendor labs |
| GitHub Codespaces | ContainerLab | No | 10-20 min | Free (120 CPU-hrs/mo) | Quick containerlab tests |
| Cloud VM (GCP/AWS) | Anything | No | 2-4 hours | $50-200/mo | Full control, any tool |
CloudMyLab
CloudMyLab is the established player in hosted network labs. They're an official EVE-NG hosting partner and offer managed EVE-NG, GNS3, and CML environments.
What you get:
- Hosted EVE-NG Pro or GNS3 on dedicated hardware
- Pre-configured automation environments (Ansible, GitLab)
- VPN access via Cisco AnyConnect with DUO MFA
- Dedicated account manager and 24/7 support
- 99.9% SLA
Trade-offs:
- No AI — you build every lab manually
- Pricing is opaque ("contact us for a quote")
- You still source and upload device images
- Lab creation is the same manual process as local EVE-NG
- Enterprise sales cycle — not self-serve
Best for: Teams and organizations that need hosted EVE-NG with enterprise support and don't mind manual lab creation.
NetPilot
NetPilot takes a different approach — cloud-hosted ContainerLab with AI that generates your labs automatically.
What you get:
- AI generates topologies from plain English descriptions
- 3 vendors built-in (Nokia SR Linux, FRR, Linux) + 6 via upload
- Cloud-hosted ContainerLab with real CLIs via SSH
- Browser-based — no VPN, no client software
- Self-serve — sign up and start immediately
- Free tier available
Trade-offs:
- Requires internet (no offline mode)
- Newer platform — smaller community
- Not EVE-NG or GNS3 under the hood (ContainerLab instead)
Best for: Engineers who want AI-powered lab generation, multi-vendor support, and zero infrastructure management.
GitHub Codespaces
ContainerLab has native support for GitHub Codespaces — you can run containerlab labs in a free cloud development environment.
What you get:
- Free tier: 120 CPU-hours/month, 15 GB storage
- VS Code in the browser with terminal access
- ContainerLab pre-configured via Dev Container
- Good for quick tests and demos
Trade-offs:
- You still write YAML topology files manually
- You still configure devices by hand
- Limited device images (Nokia SR Linux and FRR are easy; Cisco/Arista require upload)
- No AI assistance
- Resource limits on free tier (2-4 vCPU)
- Sessions time out after idle period
Best for: Quick containerlab experiments and demos without local Docker setup.
Cloud VM (DIY)
Spin up a VM on GCP, AWS, or Azure and install your preferred tools.
What you get:
- Complete control over the environment
- Run any tool: EVE-NG, GNS3, CML, ContainerLab
- Scale hardware as needed
- Keep the VM running 24/7 if desired
Trade-offs:
- Full setup required (2-4 hours for EVE-NG, 1-2 hours for ContainerLab)
- You manage everything: OS, tools, images, updates, security
- Cost: $50-200/month for a server with enough resources
- No AI, no automation — same manual workflow as local
- Easy to forget a running VM and accumulate charges
Best for: Engineers who need maximum control, specific tool versions, or on-demand scalable hardware.
Which Should You Choose?
Pick CloudMyLab if: Your organization needs hosted EVE-NG with enterprise support, compliance requirements, and team access controls. Budget isn't a constraint.
Pick NetPilot if: You want the fastest path from idea to working lab. AI generates everything — describe what you need and practice in 2 minutes. Best value for individuals and small teams.
Pick Codespaces if: You're already in the GitHub ecosystem and need quick containerlab experiments. Good for demos and short tests, not long-running labs.
Pick a cloud VM if: You need full control and are comfortable managing infrastructure. Good for permanent lab environments or specific tool requirements.
The trend is clear: engineers are moving away from managing lab infrastructure toward managed services that let them focus on networking. The question is whether you want hosted traditional tools (CloudMyLab) or AI-powered next-gen labs (NetPilot).
Want AI-powered lab as a service? Try NetPilot — describe any network topology, get a working lab in minutes, no infrastructure to manage.