PCAPdroid

Overview

PCAPdroid is ranked #6 of 20 in network packet capture software on Specifiction. It runs on Android. There is a free plan.

Compared on network packet capture software

Free plan

Yesemanuele-f.github.io

Live capture

Yesemanuele-f.github.io

Offline trace analysis

Yesemanuele-f.github.io

Display filters

Yesemanuele-f.github.io

Protocol decryption

Yesemanuele-f.github.io

Capture file formats

PCAP, Pcapngemanuele-f.github.io

Command-line capture

Yesemanuele-f.github.io

Supported platforms

Androidemanuele-f.github.io

Facts

Purpose

PCAPdroid is an open-source network capture and monitoring tool that works without root privileges.emanuele-f.github.io · 30 Sept 2026

Traffic capture

It uses Android VpnService to receive app traffic and processes it locally without creating an external VPN.emanuele-f.github.io · 30 Sept 2026

Analysis

The app analyzes connections from user and system apps and shows protocol, ports, addresses, status and traffic volume.emanuele-f.github.io · 30 Sept 2026

Export

Captured traffic can be saved as PCAP files or sent remotely for analysis such as with Wireshark.emanuele-f.github.io · 30 Sept 2026

TLS decryption

PCAPdroid can decrypt HTTPS/TLS traffic for a specific app, subject to Android certificate trust limitations.emanuele-f.github.io · 30 Sept 2026

Firewall

The paid firewall can block individual apps, domains and IP addresses with configurable rules and allowlists.emanuele-f.github.io · 30 Sept 2026

Malware detection

The paid malware-detection feature uses third-party blacklists and can block malicious traffic in default VPN mode.emanuele-f.github.io · 30 Sept 2026

Privacy

PCAPdroid states that it collects no information, uses no remote VPN server and processes traffic locally.emanuele-f.github.io · 30 Sept 2026

Integrations

PCAPdroid supports real-time PCAP-over-IP analysis with tools including Wireshark, ntopng and tcpdump.emanuele-f.github.io · 30 Sept 2026

App integration

Third-party Android apps can integrate the pcapd daemon on rooted devices or control PCAPdroid through its API on all devices.github.com · 30 Sept 2026

Capture limit

In non-root mode, PCAPdroid captures only outgoing connections started by the Android device.emanuele-f.github.io · 30 Sept 2026

Device scope

PCAPdroid only captures traffic from the Android device where it is running, not other devices on the network.emanuele-f.github.io · 30 Sept 2026

Support

The project directs questions to Emanuele Faranda by email and provides Telegram and Matrix community channels.emanuele-f.github.io · 30 Sept 2026

Where it ranks on Specifiction

• Best Network Packet Capture Software in 2026#6 of 20

Sources

• emanuele-f.github.io/PCAPdroid/quick_start.html· checked 30 Sept 2026
• emanuele-f.github.io/PCAPdroid/paid_features· checked 30 Sept 2026
• emanuele-f.github.io/PCAPdroid/privacy.html· checked 30 Sept 2026
• emanuele-f.github.io/PCAPdroid/dump_modes.html· checked 30 Sept 2026
• github.com/emanuele-f/PCAPdroid· checked 30 Sept 2026
• emanuele-f.github.io/PCAPdroid/faq.html· checked 30 Sept 2026
• emanuele-f.github.io/PCAPdroid/donate.html· checked 30 Sept 2026