21 Best Packet Sniffers of 2025

PRTG is a comprehensive network monitoring solution developed by Paessler AG. It enables you to monitor all systems, devices, traffic, and applications within your IT infrastructure. 

Why I Picked PRTG: PRTG's built-in packet sniffer sensor allows you to monitor the headers of data packets passing through your network adapter. This feature enables you to analyze traffic by categorizing it into predefined channels such as web traffic, file transfers, emails, chats, remote control applications, infrastructure services, NetBIOS communications, Citrix applications, and other protocols. By doing so, you can identify which types of traffic are consuming the most bandwidth. Additionally, PRTG offers a custom packet sniffer sensor that lets you define your own channel definitions to divide traffic into different categories. 

Standout features & integrations:

Other features include the ability to monitor traffic from remote control applications such as RDP, SSH, Telnet, and VNC, which is crucial for overseeing remote access and ensuring secure connections. PRTG also allows for the analysis of traffic from network services like DHCP, DNS, ICMP, and SNMP, providing a comprehensive view of essential network protocols.

Integrations include Acronis, AWS, Cisco, Dell Technologies, Check Point, Fujitsu, HPE, Lansweeper, Martello, NetApp, Osirium, and ServiceNow.

Site24x7 is a cloud-based monitoring solution that helps you oversee your websites, servers, applications, and network infrastructure. It offers comprehensive tools to ensure your IT resources are performing optimally and remain available to your users. 

Why I Picked Site24x7: I like that it supports sFlow monitoring. This is a packet sampling technology that captures every Nth packet or a random sample per interface, providing detailed insights into network traffic. By analyzing these samples, you can identify bandwidth hogs, monitor application performance, and detect potential network issues before they escalate. Another feature that makes Site24x7 suitable for packet sniffing is its NetFlow Analyzer. This tool collects flow export data from network devices, organizes it, and presents actionable insights. 

Standout features & integrations:

Other features include monitoring network traffic at the interface, application, protocol, and conversation levels, providing detailed reports on application and interface traffic, and identifying traffic hotspots in your network.

Integrations include ServiceNow, PagerDuty, Opsgenie, Jira, ManageEngine AlarmsOne, ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus, Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoho Cliq, Amazon EventBridge, Zapier, and Webhooks.

Nmap, short for Network Mapper, is a free and open-source utility that conducts network discovery and security auditing. By leveraging its capabilities, professionals can discover devices running on a network and find open ports along with various attributes of the network. Such comprehensive insights serve as the foundation for its recognition as an optimal tool for network discovery and auditing.

Why I Picked Nmap: During my quest to determine the most proficient tools for network discovery, Nmap consistently emerged as an industry favorite. Its flexibility in scanning both large and small networks, coupled with its long-standing presence in the industry, gave me a strong inclination toward this tool. In light of its exhaustive scanning capabilities and trusted reputation, it's clear why Nmap holds the title of being best for network discovery and auditing.

Standout features & integrations:

Nmap's prowess lies in its ability to detect operating systems, identify open ports, and gauge the security of a network. Its script engine, NSE (Nmap Scripting Engine), allows users to write scripts to customize their scans further.

In terms of integrations, Nmap pairs effectively with several visualization and reporting tools, elevating the way professionals perceive and interpret scan results.

Colasoft Capsa is designed as a professional network analyzer for packet decoding and network diagnosis. The tool’s ability to provide detailed, real-time insights into network activity aligns with its specialization in diagnostics, making it indispensable for those needing on-the-spot network analysis.

Why I Picked Colasoft Capsa: When determining which tools to recommend, I focused on real-world efficiency and the depth of analysis. Colasoft Capsa emerged as a clear choice given its reputation for providing in-depth diagnostics swiftly. The tool's specialization in real-time network diagnostics bolstered my judgment that it's ideally suited for professionals prioritizing instantaneous insights.

Standout features & integrations:

One of Colasoft Capsa's key features is its comprehensive packet analysis, which is vital for identifying network anomalies. Moreover, the tool’s ability to visualize complex data, like protocol distribution and bandwidth usage, facilitates quick interpretation.

In terms of integrations, Colasoft Capsa can work in tandem with standard network utilities, enhancing its diagnostic capabilities.

Snort is an open-source intrusion prevention system capable of real-time traffic analysis and packet logging. Designed to detect attacks and probes on computer networks, Snort's capabilities align directly with its reputation for effective intrusion detection and prevention, ensuring that network vulnerabilities are promptly identified and addressed.

Why I Picked Snort: When I began my selection journey for the most efficient intrusion detection tools, Snort consistently surfaced as a top contender. Its open-source nature, combined with a vast community supporting its development, makes it a distinct tool in this domain. Given its robust features and extensive support system, it's evident to me why Snort is considered best for intrusion detection and prevention.

Standout features & integrations:

Snort boasts real-time traffic analysis, ensuring that potential threats are identified as they occur. With its signature-based detection mechanisms, it can effectively detect a myriad of attacks and malicious activities.

Snort also integrates well with other popular networking tools, ensuring that users have a broad suite of resources for comprehensive network monitoring.

Wireshark is a preeminent network protocol analyzer that delves deep into the intricacies of network traffic, offering detailed insights that other tools might overlook. Its forte in delivering profound packet analysis validates its reputation as the best choice for professionals seeking an in-depth understanding of network interactions.

Why I Picked Wireshark: Wireshark is a widely acknowledged network protocol analyzer used for troubleshooting, analysis, software and communication protocol development, and education. As someone who’s consistently engaged with different network tools, I chose Wireshark for its unparalleled depth in packet capturing and analysis. Among all the options available, Wireshark distinctly stands out because of its comprehensive packet details, making it ideal for those who need a deep understanding of network traffic.

Standout features & integrations:

Wireshark offers a live capture feature that allows users to read data from Ethernet, IEEE 802.11, PPP/HDLC, ATM, Bluetooth, USB, among others. Its display filter system is exceptional, enabling users to sift through complex packet data easily.

Additionally, Wireshark integrates with GeoIP, OS fingerprinting, and various decryption functions, offering an expanded utility for its users.

Kismet is a powerful tool geared toward detecting, sniffing, and analyzing wireless network traffic. With its prowess in identifying networks across a wide array of protocols, it stands as an indispensable asset for professionals striving for exhaustive wireless network detection and surveillance.

Why I Picked Kismet: In the course of judging various wireless network tools, I chose Kismet because of its expansive capabilities in network detection. It's not just about the sheer number of protocols it supports but also the depth of analysis it provides for each. For individuals and businesses emphasizing the need for comprehensive wireless detection, I firmly hold the opinion that Kismet is unmatched in its domain.

Standout features & integrations:

Kismet is renowned for its capability to detect hidden networks, making it a go-to tool for in-depth wireless analysis. With features like rogue device detection and flexible alerting mechanisms, it adds layers of security for network administrators.

As for integrations, Kismet's data can be consumed by tools like Wireshark and other network analysis platforms for a more intricate examination.

Tcpdump is a well-established network diagnostic tool that facilitates packet capturing and analysis directly from the command line. For those who prefer working within terminal environments and require immediate insights into network traffic, Tcpdump stands as a fitting solution.

Why I Picked Tcpdump: n my journey of comparing various network diagnostic tools, I chose Tcpdump because of its straightforward command-line interface and the raw power it offers without a graphical overhead. This tool is distinct in its simplicity and the flexibility it provides to network professionals. Its command-line essence is why I determined Tcpdump is best for those who want direct and efficient packet capture without the need for a graphical interface.

Standout features & integrations:

Tcpdump's primary strength lies in its simplicity, making it quick and efficient for real-time packet analysis. With the ability to filter packets using the Berkeley Packet Filter (BPF) syntax, it gives users fine-grained control over the traffic they observe. Although Tcpdump is primarily a standalone tool, its output can be integrated with other tools like Wireshark for more detailed analysis.

Omnipeek is a robust network analysis solution known for its proficiency in diagnosing network issues and providing actionable insights. As organizations increasingly rely on flawless network performance, Omnipeek steps in, acting as the eyes and ears of network administrators, offering in-depth troubleshooting tools that make it indispensable.

Why I Picked Omnipeek: In the vast array of network analysis tools, Omnipeek was a standout due to its comprehensive and intuitive interface that facilitates network diagnostics. While many tools focus on a variety of metrics, Omnipeek’s forte lies in its targeted approach to troubleshooting. After an exhaustive review and comparing it to contemporaries, I can assertively state that Omnipeek is best for network troubleshooting and diagnostics.

Standout features & integrations:

Omnipeek is renowned for its packet capture capability, allowing detailed traffic analysis. Its real-time analytics and visual network insights make it easier for admins to identify and resolve issues swiftly.

Regarding integrations, Omnipeek boasts compatibility with a myriad of third-party platforms, ensuring its adaptability in diverse IT environments.

Ettercap is a comprehensive toolkit designed for computer network protocol analysis and security auditing. Especially adept at facilitating man-in-the-middle attacks, Ettercap is widely recognized among professionals for its ability to intercept and modify network traffic on-the-fly.

Why I Picked Ettercap:

When selecting tools for network security analysis, I chose Ettercap because of its specialized focus on man-in-the-middle attack scenarios. Its extensive features and capabilities catered precisely to this specific niche of network vulnerability testing, making it stand apart from other generic network tools. I firmly believe that for professionals aiming to understand or demonstrate man-in-the-middle vulnerabilities, Ettercap is the optimal choice.

Standout features & integrations:

One of the pivotal features of Ettercap is its support for active and passive dissection of several protocols, which facilitates live connection manipulation. Moreover, it offers ARP-based host discovery to identify hosts in the network actively. In terms of integrations, while Ettercap operates efficiently as a standalone, its captured data can be further analyzed using tools like Wireshark for a more granular understanding.Ettercap is a comprehensive toolkit designed for computer network protocol analysis and security auditing. Especially adept at facilitating man-in-the-middle attacks, Ettercap is widely recognized among professionals for its ability to intercept and modify network traffic on-the-fly.

Why I Picked Ettercap: When selecting tools for network security analysis, I chose Ettercap because of its specialized focus on man-in-the-middle attack scenarios. Its extensive features and capabilities catered precisely to this specific niche of network vulnerability testing, making it stand apart from other generic network tools. I firmly believe that for professionals aiming to understand or demonstrate man-in-the-middle vulnerabilities, Ettercap is the optimal choice.

Standout features & integrations:

One of the pivotal features of Ettercap is its support for active and passive dissection of several protocols, which facilitates live connection manipulation. Moreover, it offers ARP-based host discovery to identify hosts in the network actively.

In terms of integrations, while Ettercap operates efficiently as a standalone, its captured data can be further analyzed using tools like Wireshark for a more granular understanding.