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Sniffnet
What it is
Sniffnet is a free network monitoring app for Windows, macOS, and Linux. It displays overall Internet traffic statistics and real-time charts of traffic intensity, and lets users select a network adapter, filter observed traffic, and import or export PCAP capture reports. The app can identify local network connections, show remote hosts’ geographical locations, and find host domain names and ASNs. It recognizes more than 6,000 upper-layer services, protocols, trojans, and worms. Users can see which programs use bandwidth and save favorites, configure notifications for network events, and import custom IP blacklists to highlight potentially dangerous connections. Sniffnet supports live capture, display filters, protocol dissectors, and offline trace analysis; it can read PCAPNG and CAP files as well as PCAP. Custom themes and 26 languages are available. A 2025 security audit had one relevant low-severity finding, which was fixed. Most functionality uses offline databases, though reverse DNS lookups provide hostnames for IPs.
For and against
For
- Free and open-source under MIT or Apache-2.0.
- Shows real-time traffic-intensity charts.
- Identifies more than 6,000 services and protocols.
- Reads PCAPNG and CAP files as well as PCAP.
- Available in 26 languages.
Against
- Traffic decryption is not supported.
- Reverse DNS lookups are made to provide hostnames.
The verdict
Sniffnet combines traffic monitoring, capture handling, host details, and event notifications in a free desktop app. It does not support traffic decryption, and reverse DNS lookups are used for hostnames.
Who it suits
Sniffnet suits people who want to monitor network traffic on Windows, macOS, or Linux, including users who find other network analyzers difficult to understand. It also offers capture and offline trace tools for users who need them.
Plans and prices
Free
Network monitoring · live charts · traffic statistics · PCAP import/export
Read 15 Oct 2026 · sniffnet.app
Sniffnet
Fully free and open-source · MIT or Apache-2.0
Read 30 Sep 2026 · sniffnet.app
On the record
- Adapter selection
- Users can choose a network adapter to inspect.sniffnet.app · read 15 Oct 2026
- Alerts and blacklists
- Users can configure notifications for network events and import custom IP blacklists to highlight potentially dangerous connections.sniffnet.app · read 30 Sep 2026
- Capture and reports
- Users can choose a network adapter, filter observed traffic, and import or export capture reports as PCAP files.sniffnet.app · read 30 Sep 2026
- Command-line interface
- Command-line options include selecting an adapter, printing the configuration path, viewing Windows logs, restoring defaults, and showing help or version information.github.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Company profile
- LinkedIn lists Sniffnet as a self-employed software-development organization with one employee, headquartered in Boissano, Italy, founded in 2022.it.linkedin.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Documentation
- The project wiki contains installation, capture setup, monitoring, advanced-feature and FAQ sections.github.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Domain and ASN data
- The app displays domain names and autonomous-system information for hosts.sniffnet.app · read 15 Oct 2026
- Favorites
- Hosts, services and programs can be saved as favorites.sniffnet.app · read 15 Oct 2026
- Flow-level monitoring
- The project emphasizes flow details such as country, organization, domain and upper-layer service instead of presenting full packet payloads.nlnet.nl · read 15 Oct 2026
- Funding
- NLnet records an NGI0 Commons Fund grant for Sniffnet covering June 2024 through July 2025.nlnet.nl · read 15 Oct 2026
- Geolocation
- Remote hosts can be shown with geographical-location information.sniffnet.app · read 15 Oct 2026
- Host details
- Sniffnet can identify local network connections, show remote hosts’ geographical locations, and find host domain names and ASNs.sniffnet.app · read 30 Sep 2026
- Independent description
- Hysen Labs describes Sniffnet as a Rust and Iced cross-platform monitor aimed at visual live-traffic inspection rather than command-line packet analysis.hysenlabs.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Independent licence listing
- SignPath Foundation lists Sniffnet as free, open-source, cross-platform software under the MIT License.signpath.org · read 15 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The webhook documentation gives SIGNL4, IFTTT, Svix and Webhook.site as compatible notification receivers.github.com · read 15 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- The maker says Sniffnet is designed to be usable with ease by everyone, including people who find other network analyzers difficult to understand.sniffnet.app · read 30 Sep 2026
- Licence
- Sniffnet is dual-licensed under MIT or Apache-2.0.sniffnet.app · read 15 Oct 2026
- Limit: dependency setup
- An AlternativeTo reviewer reported that Windows 11 initially failed because wpcap.dll was missing until the installation instructions were followed.alternativeto.net · read 15 Oct 2026
