Netmiko vs NAPALM vs Scrapli: Which Python Library Should You Use?

Almost every network automation project starts with the same question: how do I get a Python script to talk to my devices? Three libraries dominate the answer — Netmiko, NAPALM, and Scrapli. Netmiko is the broad CLI workhorse, NAPALM is the vendor-neutral config-and-facts layer, and Scrapli is the speed-and-async option. They overlap, but each solves a different problem. This guide compares Netmiko vs NAPALM vs Scrapli head to head — covering device support, structured data, config management, performance, and learning curve — so you can choose the right Python network automation library with confidence.

The one-line summary

• Netmiko — the dependable workhorse for sending CLI commands over SSH and reading the raw output. Widest device support, gentlest learning curve.
• NAPALM — a vendor-neutral abstraction for structured data and safe config management: getters, diffs, atomic commit, and rollback.
• Scrapli — the speed-and-async option: a lean, modern SSH transport built for performance and large-scale concurrent collection.

Netmiko: the CLI workhorse

Netmiko wraps Paramiko with a uniform interface for sending commands and reading output across a huge range of platforms. If a device speaks SSH and a CLI, Netmiko almost certainly supports it. You think in commands and strings, not abstractions.

from netmiko import ConnectHandler

device = {
    "device_type": "cisco_ios",
    "host": "10.10.1.1",
    "username": "admin",
    "password": "secret",
}

with ConnectHandler(**device) as conn:
    output = conn.send_command("show ip interface brief")
    print(output)
    # structure it with the bundled TextFSM templates:
    rows = conn.send_command("show ip interface brief", use_textfsm=True)
    print(rows)

Choose Netmiko when you need the broadest device coverage, you're sending arbitrary commands (including config mode), or you're just getting started. Its raw-string model is simple and predictable.

NAPALM: structured data and safe config

NAPALM raises the level of abstraction. Instead of parsing CLI, you call getters that return normalised, vendor-independent dictionaries — and for changes, you stage a candidate config, diff it, and commit atomically with rollback support.

import napalm

driver = napalm.get_network_driver("ios")
with driver("10.10.1.1", "admin", "secret") as dev:
    print(dev.get_facts())            # same shape on IOS, EOS, JunOS...
    dev.load_merge_candidate(filename="loopback.cfg")
    print(dev.compare_config())       # review the diff before committing
    dev.commit_config()               # atomic; rollback() if needed

Choose NAPALM when you're managing configuration across multiple vendors, you want stable structured facts without maintaining parsers, or you need a safe diff/commit/rollback workflow gated in CI.

Scrapli: speed and async

Scrapli is a modern, performance-focused SSH library. Its transport is leaner than Paramiko, it has a clean API, and — critically — it offers a first-class asyncio transport for high-concurrency collection across hundreds of devices.

from scrapli.driver.core import IOSXEDriver

device = {
    "host": "10.10.1.1",
    "auth_username": "admin",
    "auth_password": "secret",
    "auth_strict_key": False,
}

with IOSXEDriver(**device) as conn:
    resp = conn.send_command("show ip interface brief")
    print(resp.result)                     # raw output
    print(resp.textfsm_parse_output())     # structured rows

Choose Scrapli when raw SSH speed matters, you're collecting from many devices concurrently and want async, or you want a cleaner, more modern API than Netmiko. Core drivers cover IOS-XE/XR, NX-OS, EOS, and JunOS; other platforms come from scrapli-community.

Side-by-side

• Primary job: Netmiko & Scrapli = send commands / read output. NAPALM = structured facts + config management.
• Output: Netmiko/Scrapli return text (TextFSM optional). NAPALM returns normalised dicts.
• Config changes: Netmiko sends config lines; NAPALM does diff/commit/rollback; Scrapli sends config lines.
• Performance / async: Scrapli leads (native asyncio). Netmiko is sync. NAPALM is sync and higher-overhead.
• Device coverage: Netmiko is broadest. NAPALM & Scrapli core focus on the major vendors.
• Learning curve: Netmiko gentlest, Scrapli close behind, NAPALM steepest (but most powerful for config).

They're better together

This isn't strictly an either/or. A common production pattern uses Scrapli or Netmiko for fast collection and arbitrary commands, and NAPALM for structured facts and safe config changes. Wrap any of them in Nornir when you need to run the same task across a whole inventory in parallel.

How to decide

1. Need the widest device support or just sending commands? → Netmiko.
2. Managing multi-vendor config with safe diffs and rollback? → NAPALM.
3. Collecting at scale where speed and async matter? → Scrapli.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between Netmiko, NAPALM, and Scrapli?

Netmiko is an SSH library for sending CLI commands and reading raw output across the widest range of vendors. NAPALM is a higher-level, vendor-neutral abstraction that returns structured data via getters and manages config with diff, atomic commit, and rollback. Scrapli is a fast, modern SSH library with first-class asyncio support, built for high-performance, high-concurrency collection.

Is Scrapli faster than Netmiko?

Yes. Scrapli uses a leaner transport than Netmiko's Paramiko backend and offers a native asyncio transport, so it is generally faster — especially when collecting from many devices concurrently. For single-device, occasional scripts the difference is usually negligible.

Should I use Netmiko or NAPALM for configuration changes?

Use NAPALM when you need safe, multi-vendor config management with a diff, atomic commit, and rollback. Use Netmiko when you simply need to send config lines or work with a device NAPALM does not support. Many teams use both: NAPALM for managed config and Netmiko for arbitrary commands.

Do NAPALM and Scrapli support multiple vendors?

NAPALM ships drivers for Cisco IOS/NX-OS, Arista EOS, Juniper JunOS, and IOS-XR. Scrapli's core drivers cover IOS-XE/XR, NX-OS, EOS, and JunOS, with more platforms available via scrapli-community. Netmiko has the broadest device coverage of the three.

Can I use Netmiko, NAPALM, and Scrapli together?

Yes. A common pattern uses Scrapli or Netmiko for fast collection and arbitrary commands and NAPALM for structured facts and safe config changes. You can wrap any of them in Nornir to run the same task across a whole inventory in parallel.