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Tech riderRev. 2 Oct 2026

Scapy

Ch 037.4of 33 Network Packet Analyzer Software
  1. 1Runs onAPI, Linux, Mac, self-hosted, Web, Windows
  2. 2CostsFree plan
  3. 3Traffic decryptionYes
3 lines stated Written from the maker's own pages: scapy.net
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The Scapy homepage

Overview

Scapy is a free Python packet manipulation program and library for forging or decoding packets, sending and capturing them, and matching requests with replies. It can run as an interactive shell or be used as a library. Listed tasks include scanning, tracerouting, probing, unit tests, attacks and network discovery. Users can set arbitrary field values and stack protocol layers rather than rely on predetermined templates; after a probe, Scapy returns full decoded packets before interpretation for further analysis. It can read and store pcap files, inject invalid frames and custom 802.11 frames, and be extended with protocols and add-ons. Scapy runs on Linux, macOS, BSD and Windows, though Windows installation requires Npcap. Optional plotting needs Matplotlib; TLS decryption and PKI operations need the cryptography package. The code, tests and tools use GPL v2, while the documentation uses CC BY-NC-SA 2.5. Documentation includes installation instructions, usage guides, troubleshooting and an API reference. The project supports only its latest master version, and critical bugs should be reported privately through GitHub’s security tab.

Who it is for

Scapy suits users who need customizable packet manipulation and network probing rather than fixed-purpose utilities. Its listed audiences include developers, IT, researchers, system administrators and telecommunications professionals.

What is good

  • Works as an interactive shell or Python library.
  • Supports arbitrary field values and stacked protocol layers.
  • Reads and stores pcap files.
  • Runs on Linux, macOS, BSD and Windows.
  • Online documentation includes an API reference.

What to know first

  • Windows installation requires Npcap.
  • Plotting requires Matplotlib.
  • TLS decryption and PKI operations require cryptography.
  • Project support covers only the latest master version.

Verdict

Scapy provides flexible packet construction, capture and probing options for users comfortable working with Python and network protocols. Account for platform requirements, optional dependencies and its stated support scope.

Scapy plans and pricing

All plans
Scapy Free GPLv2 license · Python 3.7+ scapy.net · 2 Oct 2026

Compared on network packet analyzer software

Free plan
Yesscapy.net
Traffic decryption
Yesscapy.net

Facts

Purpose
Scapy is a Python packet manipulation program and library that can forge or decode packets, send and capture them, and match requests with replies.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
Shell and library
Scapy can be used as an interactive shell or as a library.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
Network tasks
The project lists scanning, tracerouting, probing, unit tests, and network discovery among Scapy’s uses.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
Packet handling
Scapy can read and store packets in pcap files and can inject invalid frames and custom 802.11 frames.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
Protocol extensions
The documentation includes instructions for adding new protocols and extending Scapy with add-ons.scapy.readthedocs.io · 30 Sept 2026
Platform support
Scapy runs on Linux, macOS, BSD, and Windows; Windows installation requires Npcap.scapy.readthedocs.io · 30 Sept 2026
Optional dependencies
Plotting requires Matplotlib, while TLS decryption and PKI operations require the cryptography package.scapy.readthedocs.io · 30 Sept 2026
Security reporting
GitHub’s security page says the project has not set up a SECURITY.md file and provides a vulnerability reporting link.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
License
Scapy’s code, tests, and tools are licensed under GPL v2.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
Intended audiences
The project metadata lists developers, IT, science and research, system administrators, and telecommunications as intended audiences.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
Documentation
The project provides online documentation with installation instructions, usage guides, troubleshooting, and an API reference.scapy.readthedocs.io · 30 Sept 2026
Use cases
Scapy supports scanning, tracerouting, probing, unit tests, attacks and network discovery.scapy.readthedocs.io · 2 Oct 2026
Interactive modes
Scapy can be used as an interactive shell or as a library.github.com · 2 Oct 2026
Packet flexibility
Users can set arbitrary field values and stack protocol layers without predetermined templates.scapy.readthedocs.io · 2 Oct 2026
Raw results
After a probe, Scapy returns the full decoded packets before interpretation so users can analyze them in different ways.scapy.readthedocs.io · 2 Oct 2026
Python DSL
Scapy uses Python syntax and interpreter capabilities as a domain-specific language for describing packets.scapy.readthedocs.io · 2 Oct 2026
Platforms
Scapy runs on Linux, macOS, BSD and Windows; Windows installation requires Npcap.scapy.readthedocs.io · 2 Oct 2026
Installation
The latest release can be installed with pip install scapy, and it can also run from the run_scapy or run_scapy.bat scripts without installation.scapy.readthedocs.io · 2 Oct 2026
Optional integrations
Optional features can use Matplotlib, PyX, Graphviz, ImageMagick, VPython-Jupyter and cryptography.scapy.readthedocs.io · 2 Oct 2026
Licensing
Scapy code, tests and tools are licensed under GPL v2, while its documentation is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.5.github.com · 2 Oct 2026
Security support
Critical bugs should be reported privately through GitHub's security tab, and the project supports only the latest Scapy master version.github.com · 2 Oct 2026
Release
Scapy documentation lists release 2.7.1 dated October 1, 2026.scapy.readthedocs.io · 2 Oct 2026
Audience
Scapy is intended for users who need customizable network probing and packet manipulation tools rather than fixed-purpose utilities.scapy.readthedocs.io · 2 Oct 2026

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