Best tcpdump Alternatives in 2026
Updated
20 apps from network packet analyzer software ranked against tcpdump on the same published basis.
- 1tcpdump vs Wireshark
- 2tcpdump vs TShark
- 3tcpdump vs NETCAP
- 4tcpdump vs PCAPdroid
- 6tcpdump vs Zui
- 7tcpdump vs Malcolm
- 8tcpdump vs Arkime
- 9tcpdump vs PacketSafari
- 10tcpdump vs Xplico
- 11tcpdump vs NetworkMiner
- 12tcpdump vs BruteShark
- 13tcpdump vs VIAVI Observer Analyzer
- 14tcpdump vs Sniffnet
- 15tcpdump vs CloudShark
- 16tcpdump vs termshark
- 17tcpdump vs GL PacketScan
- 18tcpdump vs A-Packets
- 19tcpdump vs NetWitness Platform
- 20tcpdump vs PcapAI
- 21tcpdump vs Omnipeek
tcpdump alternatives compared
| # | App | Score | Free plan | From | Runs on |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wireshark | 8.1 | Free plan | Free | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| 2 | TShark | 8.0 | Free plan | Free | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| 3 | NETCAP | 7.9 | Free plan | $548/mo | Linux, Mac, self-hosted, Web, Windows |
| 4 | PCAPdroid | 7.9 | Free plan | Free | Android |
| 6 | Zui | 7.7 | Free plan | Free | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| 7 | Malcolm | 7.6 | No | — | API, Linux, Mac, self-hosted, Web, Windows |
| 8 | Arkime | 7.6 | Free plan | Free | API, Linux, self-hosted, Web |
| 9 | PacketSafari | 7.6 | Free plan | Free | API, Linux, Mac, self-hosted, Web, Windows |
| 10 | Xplico | 7.1 | Free plan | Free | Linux, self-hosted, Web |
| 11 | NetworkMiner | 7.0 | Free plan | Free | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| 12 | BruteShark | 6.9 | Free plan | Free | Linux, Windows |
| 13 | VIAVI Observer Analyzer | 6.5 | No | — | Windows |
| 14 | Sniffnet | 6.5 | Free plan | Free | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| 15 | CloudShark | 6.4 | No | — | Web |
| 16 | termshark | 6.4 | No | — | Windows, Mac, Linux, Android |
| 17 | GL PacketScan | 6.2 | No | — | Web, Windows, Linux |
| 18 | A-Packets | 6.1 | No | — | Web |
| 19 | NetWitness Platform | 5.9 | No | — | Web |
| 20 | PcapAI | 5.9 | No | — | Web, Windows, Mac, Linux |
| 21 | Omnipeek | 5.8 | No | — | Web, Windows |
Make your app an alternative to tcpdump
See the priceThe sponsored alternative slot on this page is labelled Sponsored.
Questions about tcpdump alternatives
What is the best alternative to tcpdump?
Wireshark, number 1 in network packet analyzer software with a score of 8.1 out of 10. The others here: TShark, NETCAP, PCAPdroid and 16 more.
What is the best free alternative to tcpdump?
Wireshark is the best-ranked alternative with a free plan. 11 of the 20 alternatives here publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
How are these alternatives ranked?
Ranked mobile-first: a phone app alongside the web or desktop product, a free tier and the depth of its documentation.