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Kismet
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 captures Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Bluetooth LE, Zigbee, wireless sensor, airplane beacon, and power meter data. It can run headlessly for capture and wireless intrusion detection, or through a web interface. Kismet runs on Linux and macOS; Windows operation is through WSL. Remote capture sends capture types over TCP sockets or websockets for centralized collection. Its SQLite3-based kismetdb logs combine packets, devices, location, and runtime data. The REST-like API offers JSON records, streaming pcap-ng, and websocket publish-subscribe endpoints, while WIDS alerts can connect through REST APIs, syslog, and some SIEM tools. The project advises that WIDS is most effective when stationary. On macOS, supported Wi-Fi adapters are limited; WSL cannot directly access local hardware for packet capture, though remote capture is supported. The latest stable release listed is Kismet 2025-09-R1.
For and against
For
- Free and open source, with no paid plan stated.
- Captures several wireless data types, subject to hardware support.
- Can run headlessly or through a web interface.
- Remote capture supports centralized collection.
- Provides APIs and integrations for alerts and records.
Against
- WIDS accuracy and coverage may fall during mobile or channel-hopping use.
- macOS support excludes generic USB Wi-Fi devices.
- WSL cannot access local hardware interfaces for packet capture.
The verdict
Kismet combines wireless capture, intrusion detection, logging, and integration options in a free, open-source package. Check adapter support and the limits of mobile or Windows capture before choosing it.
Who it suits
Kismet suits users who need wireless capture or intrusion detection and can work with its hardware and driver requirements. It also offers remote collection and API options for centralized data and alert handling.
Plans and prices
Kismet
Free and open source; no paid plan or usage limit stated
Read 30 Sep 2026 · kismetwireless.net
On the record
- API
- Kismet provides a REST-like API with JSON records, streaming pcap-ng, and websocket publish-subscribe endpoints.kismetwireless.net · read 30 Sep 2026
- Integrations
- WIDS alerts can be integrated through live packet and alert REST APIs, syslog, and some SIEM tools.kismetwireless.net · read 30 Sep 2026
- Interface
- Kismet can run headless as a standalone capture and WIDS system or with a web-based user interface.kismetwireless.net · read 30 Sep 2026
- Logs
- The kismetdb logfile combines packets, devices, location, and runtime data in a file based on SQLite3.kismetwireless.net · read 30 Sep 2026
- 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.kismetwireless.net · read 30 Sep 2026
- Operating systems
- Kismet runs on Linux and macOS, and can run on Windows through WSL.kismetwireless.net · read 30 Sep 2026
- Product
- Kismet is an open source sniffer, wireless intrusion detection system, wardriving tool, and packet capture tool.kismetwireless.net · read 30 Sep 2026
- Release
- The downloads page identifies Kismet 2025-09-R1 as the latest stable release.kismetwireless.net · read 30 Sep 2026
- Remote capture
- Remote capture can send all capture types over TCP sockets or websockets to collect data centrally.kismetwireless.net · read 30 Sep 2026
- Security
- The package installation guidance recommends running capture sources with elevated privileges while avoiding running the Kismet server itself as root.kismetwireless.net · read 30 Sep 2026
- Support
- The project directs users to its documentation and provides a community Discord server.kismetwireless.net · read 30 Sep 2026
- WIDS limits
- Kismet says WIDS is most effective when stationary and that mobile or channel-hopping operation may reduce accuracy and coverage.kismetwireless.net · read 30 Sep 2026
- Windows limit
- WSL does not provide direct access to USB, PCI, or other local hardware interfaces for packet capture; remote capture is supported.kismetwireless.net · read 30 Sep 2026
- 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.kismetwireless.net · read 30 Sep 2026
