Best Network Packet Capture Software in 2026
Updated
In short: Termshark is ranked #1 of 20 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of Wireshark and TShark. The best-ranked option with a free plan is Wireshark.
Network packet capture software lets you collect traffic and inspect it live or analyze traces saved for later. Compared on live capture, offline trace analysis, capture file formats, and display filters, the entries also identify protocol decryption and command-line capture capabilities. Supported platforms can matter for your setup; the free plan and Paid from details add points for comparing access and cost. Termshark, Wireshark, and TShark are among the entries, along with Malcolm and PCAPdroid. Consider whether your work centers on capturing network traffic or examining existing traces, then compare the listed inspection features and formats.
20 network packet capture software ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
Recognised 40% · Phone app 26% · Documented 20% · Free plan 14% of the score
- 1 Termshark Android only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 8.2Free Live capture: YesOffline trace analysis: YesDisplay filters: Yes
- 2 Wireshark No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 8.1Free
- 3 TShark No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 8.0Free
- 4 Malcolm No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.9Free Live capture: YesOffline trace analysis: YesDisplay filters: Yes
- 5 PCAPdroid Android only RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.8Free Live capture: YesOffline trace analysis: YesDisplay filters: Yes
- 6 Arkime No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.7Free
- 7 tcpdump No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.6Free
- 8 EndaceProbe No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 7.0 Live capture: YesOffline trace analysis: YesDisplay filters: Yes
- 9 Sniffnet No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.7Free Live capture: YesOffline trace analysis: YesDisplay filters: Yes
- 10 NetworkMiner No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.7Free
- 11 GL PacketScan No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.3
- 12 SentryWire No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.3 Live capture: YesOffline trace analysis: YesDisplay filters: Yes
- 13 PacketWatch No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.2 Live capture: YesOffline trace analysis: YesDisplay filters: Yes
- 14 nChronos No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 6.2 Live capture: YesOffline trace analysis: YesDisplay filters: Yes
- 15 Avidemux No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.6Free
- 16 Omnipeek No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.5
- 17 Colasoft Capsa No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.5
- 18 netsniff-ng No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.5 Live capture: YesOffline trace analysis: YesDisplay filters: Yes
- 19 EndaceVision No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 5.2 Display filters: Yes
- 20 Airtool Pi No phone app RecognisedPhone appDocumentedFree plan 4.9 Live capture: YesOffline trace analysis: No
Compare all 20 in a table
| # | App | Score | Free plan | From | Free plan | Paid from | Live capture | Offline trace analysis |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Termshark | 8.2 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | Yes | Yes |
| 2 | Wireshark | 8.1 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | — | — |
| 3 | TShark | 8.0 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | — | — |
| 4 | Malcolm | 7.9 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | Yes | Yes |
| 5 | PCAPdroid | 7.8 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | Yes | Yes |
| 6 | Arkime | 7.7 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | — | — |
| 7 | tcpdump | 7.6 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | — | — |
| 8 | EndaceProbe | 7.0 | No | — | — | — | Yes | Yes |
| 9 | Sniffnet | 6.7 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | Yes | Yes |
| 10 | NetworkMiner | 6.7 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | — | — |
| 11 | GL PacketScan | 6.3 | No | — | — | — | — | — |
| 12 | SentryWire | 6.3 | No | — | — | — | Yes | Yes |
| 13 | PacketWatch | 6.2 | No | — | No | — | Yes | Yes |
| 14 | nChronos | 6.2 | No | — | — | — | Yes | Yes |
| 15 | Avidemux | 5.6 | Free plan | Free | Yes | — | — | — |
| 16 | Omnipeek | 5.5 | No | — | No | — | — | — |
| 17 | Colasoft Capsa | 5.5 | No | — | Yes | — | — | — |
| 18 | netsniff-ng | 5.5 | No | — | Yes | — | Yes | Yes |
| 19 | EndaceVision | 5.2 | No | — | — | — | — | — |
| 20 | Airtool Pi | 4.9 | No | — | No | — | Yes | No |
Is your app on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which network packet capture software is ranked first on Samsung Mobile US Press?
Termshark is ranked #1 of 20 with a score of 8.2. Wireshark is second and TShark third.
How many of these have a free plan?
10 of the 20 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked mobile-first: a phone app alongside the web or desktop product, a free tier and the depth of its documentation. Paid placements never change a rank.