NetMRI alternative: replace NetMRI without the enterprise price tag
Infoblox NetMRI has reached end of life. If you’re still running NetMRI, you’re running unsupported software, no security patches, no new features, no vendor support.
NetPicker replaces NetMRI completely, at cost parity or less, and adds capabilities NetMRI never had.
What is the best NetMRI alternative?
NetPicker is the most feature-complete NetMRI alternative for network teams replacing Infoblox NetMRI. It covers all core NetMRI capabilities - config backup, compliance testing, CVE scanning, and automation - built on open source (NetMiko, pytest), deployed via Docker in under 10 minutes, and priced at a fraction of enterprise alternatives.
Why NetMRI customers switch to Netpicker
The NetMRI end-of-life reality
- NetMRI reached end of support in April 2026
- No security patches or vendor support
- Regulated industries face compliance risk from running EOL tooling
What teams told us
“We needed more flexibility and faster innovation.”
“Compliance reporting still manual, week-long processes for audit requests.”
The evaluation reality
- Enterprise alternatives come with significantly higher costs
- Netpicker delivers broader functionality with less operational overhead
NetMRI vs Netpicker
| Feature | NetMRI | NetPicker |
|---|---|---|
| Config backup | ✅ | ✅ |
| Compliance testing | ✅ Basic | ✅ Full Python + AI |
| CVE scanning | ❌ | ✅ Potential + Verified |
| AI rule generation | ❌ | ✅ Plain English → Python |
| Open source foundation | ❌ | ✅ NetMiko, pytest |
| Git storage | ❌ | ✅ Full version history |
| Multi-tenant MSP | ❌ | ✅ |
| REST API | Limited | ✅ Full API |
| Kubernetes / Docker | ❌ | ✅ |
| Air-gapped deployment | ❌ | ✅ |
| Free version | ❌ | ✅ |
| Vendor support | EOL — none | Active development |
| Security patches | None | Ongoing |
What Netpicker replaces from NetMRI
Config backup and change management
Backs up configs from 150+ vendors via SSH, with syslog-triggered backups and full Git storage with diffs.
Compliance testing
NetMRI rules were basic string matching. NetPicker’s framework is full Python - any logic, API, or data source. AI-generated rules turn plain English into working Python.
Network discovery
SlurpIt, NetPicker’s discovery companion, found 5,200 devices in our customer’s production POC and outperformed every competitor tool evaluated.
Automation and CVE scanning
Workflow automation connects compliance failures to remediation jobs. Daily CVE scanning adds potential and verified CVE detection at no additional cost.
How to migrate
Deploy alongside your current tooling
Docker Compose deployment in minutes. Point at your existing device inventory. First config backups running within the hour.
Migrate compliance scripts
Export your NetMRI rules and use NetPicker’s AI assistant to convert them to Python. RBC estimated 1 month for 400 scripts using AI.
Validate in parallel
Run both tools simultaneously, compare results, and build confidence before cutting over.
Decommission NetMRI
Once validated, decommission NetMRI. Everything is in your own Git repositories - no data hostage.
Typical timeline: 4–8 weeks.
Why Netpicker is different
Open source foundation
Built on NetMiko, pytest, and Git. No proprietary lock-in or black boxes.
Python-native compliance
Your team owns the tests. They live in Git and are reviewed like code.
AI-assisted migration
Convert NetMRI compliance scripts into Python faster, with AI assistance.
CVE scanning included
Daily potential and verified CVE scanning as a native capability.
Free version
Start today. Unlimited config backups. Docker deploy in under 10 minutes.
Runs locally
No SaaS dependency. Your data stays in your environment.
The risk of staying on NetMRI
Security risk
Any CVE discovered in NetMRI will not be patched, even though the platform has SSH access to network devices.
Compliance risk
Regulated industries face audit findings for running end-of-life software.
Operational risk
No vendor support, no new device drivers, and no new features.
The longer you wait, the higher the risk. Every week on EOL NetMRI is a week of unpatched exposure.
NetMRI alternative FAQ
What is the best NetMRI alternative?
NetPicker is the most feature-complete NetMRI alternative — covering config backup, compliance testing, CVE scanning, and automation on an open source foundation.
Is NetMRI end of life?
Yes. Infoblox NetMRI reached end of life in April 2026. After this date, NetMRI no longer receives security patches, new features, or vendor support.
How long does it take to migrate from NetMRI to NetPicker?
Most teams complete the migration in 4–8 weeks. The main migration task is converting existing NetMRI compliance scripts using NetPicker’s AI assistant.
Can NetPicker import NetMRI compliance scripts?
NetPicker uses Python-based compliance tests rather than NetMRI’s proprietary rule format. The AI assistant helps convert rules to Python.
How does NetPicker pricing compare to NetMRI?
NetPicker is typically at or below NetMRI cost parity. one of our customers replaced NetMRI with NetPicker at $157k while IP Fabric was estimated at $1.5–1.8M+.
Does NetPicker support all the vendors NetMRI supported?
Yes. NetPicker supports 150+ vendor platforms via NetMiko, plus optical equipment, cloud controllers, and legacy Telnet-only devices.
Is there a free NetMRI alternative?
Yes. NetPicker has a free version with unlimited config backups and access to the compliance testing framework.
What is the difference between NetMRI and NetPicker?
NetMRI is a legacy platform that reached end of life. NetPicker is a modern, open source-based testing and compliance platform with Git storage, CVE scanning, AI rules, and automation.
What happens if I keep running NetMRI after end of life?
You are running unsupported software with no security patches, creating security and compliance audit risk.
Running NetMRI after end of life? Switch today.
Free version. Unlimited config backups. Docker deploy in under 10 minutes. No sales call required to get started.
Test. Validate. Fix.
Everything you need to build a reliable, secure and compliant network.
Config Backup
Automated backups and version control for all devices.
Network Testing
Test configurations, policies and network behavior.
Compliance Automation
Continuously validate against standards and policies.
Security Automation
Find exposure, CVEs and misconfigurations before attackers do.
Network Remediation
Automate fixes with guardrails and verification.
AI Network Automation
AI-assisted workflows for faster analysis and actions.