In one example, a software-defined networking (SDN) controller can access flow capability information for flow paths along network data path elements in the control plane of the SDN controller. The SDN controller can determine network compatibility for an SDN controller application based on whether the accessed flow capability information fails to meet a flow requirement for the application. The SDN controller can further notify the application when it is determined that the flow requirements for the application are not met by a flow path. Related methods and machine-readable storage mediums are also described.