iperf3 vs Pktgen-DPDK
iperf3
software.es.netPktgen-DPDK
github.comSide by side
| Figure | iperf3 | Pktgen-DPDK |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| macOS | Yes | — |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| API | Yes | — |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Network Testing Software | 8.1 (#10) | 7.2 (#26) |
| Founded | 2010 | 2010 |
| License | iperf3 is released under a three-clause BSD license. | The repository identifies its license as BSD-3-Clause. |
| Protocols | It measures TCP, UDP, or SCTP throughput and includes both client and server functionality. | It supports IPv4, IPv6, TCP, UDP, VLAN, GRE, and GTP-U. |
| Purpose | iperf3 measures achievable bandwidth on IP networks and reports throughput, loss, and other test results. | Pktgen is a multi-port, multi-core traffic generator built on DPDK for repeatable performance and functional packet tests. |
| Support | The project provides a developer mailing list and GitHub issue tracker for questions and bug reports. | The project directs users to GitHub issues for bug reports and feature requests and asks for version, DPDK build, NIC, driver, and reproduction details. |
Plans
In their own words
iperf3
iperf3 is a free command-line network measurement tool that reports achievable IP-network bandwidth, throughput, loss, and related results. It includes client and server functions for TCP, UDP, and SCTP tests, with adjustable timing, protocol, and buffer settings. Client or server output can be emitted as JSON, including line-delimited JSON for real-time parsing, and a library version can be embedded in other programs. The project uses a three-clause BSD license and lists Ubuntu Linux, FreeBSD, and macOS as its officially supported platforms. Windows is not officially supported; its FAQ points users with Windows problems toward iperf2. ESnet supplies source distributions rather than binary packages and recommends checking SHA256 checksums. iperf3 began as a perfSONAR bandwidth tester, its primary user base. It is not backwards compatible with the original iperf. Version 3.22 was released September 29, 2026.
Pktgen-DPDK
Pktgen-DPDK has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.