Best tcpdump Alternatives in 2026
Updated
20 tools from network packet analyzer software ranked against tcpdump on the same published basis.
- 1tcpdump vs NETCAP
- 2tcpdump vs PacketSafari
- 3tcpdump vs Scapy
- 4tcpdump vs NetworkMiner
- 5tcpdump vs Colasoft Capsa
- 6tcpdump vs Malcolm
- 7tcpdump vs Sniffnet
- 8tcpdump vs Xplico
- 9tcpdump vs Zui
- 10tcpdump vs Arkime
- 12tcpdump vs TShark
- 13tcpdump vs Wireshark
- 14tcpdump vs BruteShark
- 15tcpdump vs PCAPdroid
- 16tcpdump vs PcapAI
- 17tcpdump vs VIAVI Observer Analyzer
- 18tcpdump vs WhatInStartup
- 19tcpdump vs SmartSniff
- 20tcpdump vs CapAnalysis
- 21tcpdump vs GL PacketScan
tcpdump alternatives compared
| # | Tool | Score | Free plan | From | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | NETCAP | 7.7 | Free plan | $548/mo | Linux, Mac, self-hosted, Web, Windows |
| 2 | PacketSafari | 7.4 | Free plan | Free | API, Linux, Mac, self-hosted, Web, Windows |
| 3 | Scapy | 7.4 | Free plan | Free | API, Linux, Mac, self-hosted, Web, Windows |
| 4 | NetworkMiner | 7.3 | Free plan | Free | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| 5 | Colasoft Capsa | 7.2 | Free plan | Free | Windows |
| 6 | Malcolm | 7.2 | No | — | API, Linux, Mac, self-hosted, Web, Windows |
| 7 | Sniffnet | 7.1 | Free plan | Free | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| 8 | Xplico | 7.1 | Free plan | Free | Linux, self-hosted, Web |
| 9 | Zui | 7.1 | Free plan | Free | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| 10 | Arkime | 7.0 | Free plan | Free | API, Linux, self-hosted, Web |
| 12 | TShark | 7.0 | Free plan | Free | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| 13 | Wireshark | 7.0 | Free plan | Free | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| 14 | BruteShark | 6.9 | Free plan | Free | Linux, Windows |
| 15 | PCAPdroid | 6.9 | Free plan | Free | Android |
| 16 | PcapAI | 6.4 | No | — | Web, Windows, Mac, Linux |
| 17 | VIAVI Observer Analyzer | 6.4 | No | — | Windows |
| 18 | WhatInStartup | 6.4 | No | — | Windows |
| 19 | SmartSniff | 6.0 | No | — | Windows |
| 20 | CapAnalysis | 5.9 | No | — | Web, Linux |
| 21 | GL PacketScan | 5.9 | No | — | Web, Windows, Linux |
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Questions about tcpdump alternatives
What is the best alternative to tcpdump?
NETCAP, number 1 in network packet analyzer software with a score of 7.7 out of 10. The others here: PacketSafari, Scapy, NetworkMiner and 16 more.
What is the best free alternative to tcpdump?
NETCAP is the best-ranked alternative with a free plan. 13 of the 20 alternatives here publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
How are these alternatives ranked?
Ranked on what each maker publishes, the fullest spec sheet first: how deeply the product is documented, the platforms it runs on, a free tier or trial to test it, and its standing.