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SPECIFICTION
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Kismet

kismetwireless.net

Free plan WindowsmacOSLinuxAPISelf-hosted
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Spec score 7.9 #10 of 29 in Wi-Fi Analyzer Software

What it is

Kismet is a free, open-source wireless sniffer, intrusion detection system, wardriving tool, and packet capture tool. Depending on hardware and driver support, it can capture Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Bluetooth LE, Zigbee, wireless sensor, airplane beacon, and power meter data. It runs headless as a standalone capture and wireless intrusion detection system, or with a web interface. Linux and macOS are supported directly; Windows use is through WSL. Remote capture forwards capture types over TCP sockets or websockets for centralized collection. Kismet’s kismetdb logfile combines packets, device records, location, and runtime data in an SQLite3-based file. A REST-like API offers JSON records, streaming pcap-ng, and websocket publish-subscribe endpoints. WIDS alerts can be connected through REST APIs, syslog, and some SIEM tools. The project says stationary use is most effective for WIDS; mobile or channel-hopping operation can reduce accuracy and coverage. Its macOS adapter support is limited, and WSL cannot access local hardware interfaces for packet capture, though remote capture is supported. The downloads page lists 2025-09-R1 as the latest stable release.

Spec sheet

Product
Kismet is an open source sniffer, wireless intrusion detection system, wardriving tool, and packet capture tool.Read 30 Sep 2026 · kismetwireless.net
API
Kismet provides a REST-like API with JSON records, streaming pcap-ng, and websocket publish-subscribe endpoints.Read 30 Sep 2026 · kismetwireless.net
Integrations
WIDS alerts can be integrated through live packet and alert REST APIs, syslog, and some SIEM tools.Read 30 Sep 2026 · kismetwireless.net
Security
The package installation guidance recommends running capture sources with elevated privileges while avoiding running the Kismet server itself as root.Read 30 Sep 2026 · kismetwireless.net
Support
The project directs users to its documentation and provides a community Discord server.Read 30 Sep 2026 · kismetwireless.net
Interface
Kismet can run headless as a standalone capture and WIDS system or with a web-based user interface.Read 30 Sep 2026 · kismetwireless.net
Logs
The kismetdb logfile combines packets, devices, location, and runtime data in a file based on SQLite3.Read 30 Sep 2026 · kismetwireless.net
macOS limit
On macOS, Kismet supports the Airport internal Wi-Fi adapter and certain named devices, but not generic USB Wi-Fi devices because suitable monitor-mode drivers are lacking.Read 30 Sep 2026 · kismetwireless.net
Operating systems
Kismet runs on Linux and macOS, and can run on Windows through WSL.Read 30 Sep 2026 · kismetwireless.net
Release
The downloads page identifies Kismet 2025-09-R1 as the latest stable release.Read 30 Sep 2026 · kismetwireless.net
Remote capture
Remote capture can send all capture types over TCP sockets or websockets to collect data centrally.Read 30 Sep 2026 · kismetwireless.net
WIDS limits
Kismet says WIDS is most effective when stationary and that mobile or channel-hopping operation may reduce accuracy and coverage.Read 30 Sep 2026 · kismetwireless.net
Windows limit
WSL does not provide direct access to USB, PCI, or other local hardware interfaces for packet capture; remote capture is supported.Read 30 Sep 2026 · kismetwireless.net
Wireless coverage
It can capture Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Bluetooth LE, Zigbee, wireless sensor, airplane beacon, and power meter data, subject to hardware and driver support.Read 30 Sep 2026 · kismetwireless.net

Plans and prices

Kismet Free Free and open source; no paid plan or usage limit stated Read 30 Sep 2026 · kismetwireless.net

Every Kismet plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free and open source, with no paid plan stated.
  • Runs headless or with a web interface.
  • Remote capture supports centralized collection.
  • Provides REST-like, pcap-ng, and websocket API endpoints.
  • Can log packets, devices, location, and runtime data together.

Limits

  • Capture coverage depends on hardware and driver support.
  • WIDS accuracy and coverage may fall when mobile or channel-hopping.
  • macOS support excludes generic USB Wi-Fi devices.
  • WSL cannot capture through local hardware interfaces.

Who it suits

Kismet suits users who need wireless capture, monitoring, or wardriving and can work with its hardware and operating-system requirements. It can also fit setups that collect captures centrally or feed alerts into other systems.

Verdict

Kismet offers broad wireless capture and integration options, with headless and web-interface operation. Hardware support and capture conditions matter, particularly on macOS and Windows through WSL.

Where Specifiction places it

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