EtherApe

A graphical network monitor that draws live network activity as a diagram of hosts and links.

FreeOpen sourceLinux
Official websiteetherape.sourceforge.ioDownload pageetherape.sourceforge.ioSource codegitlab.com

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About EtherApe

EtherApe is a graphical network monitor for Unix, modelled after etherman. It shows network activity as a diagram in which hosts and links grow and shrink with traffic, with protocols colour coded. It has link layer, IP and TCP modes and supports Ethernet, WLAN, PPP and other device types.

Traffic can be filtered, read from a capture file or watched live, and node statistics can be exported. Version 0.9.22 was released in April 2026 with capture cleanups, a fullscreen mode and a new translation.

Strengths

  • Visual view of which hosts are talking and how much
  • Colour-coded protocols
  • Reads saved capture files as well as live traffic
  • Still maintained, with a 2026 release

Limitations

  • Unix only, with no Windows or macOS build listed
  • An overview tool rather than a detailed packet inspector

Details

Pricing
FreeFree open-source software.
License
Open source, license not stated
Developer
The EtherApe contributors
Platforms
Linux
How it runs
Downloadable app
Account
Not required
Best suited for
Getting a quick visual picture of traffic on a Linux machine's network
Categories
Network tools
Last verified
Added
Provenance
Facts checked against the developer's own pages and store listings, 1 sources on file.

Alternatives to EtherApe

Compare all

Software that can replace EtherApe for an important use case, and what changes if you switch.

  • Sniffnet

    Shows what your machine is actually talking to, with charts instead of a wall of packets.

    FreeOpen sourceWindowsmacOSLinux

    Sniffnet shows per-host traffic charts rather than a network diagram, runs on Windows, macOS and Linux, and exports PCAP for Wireshark.

  • TapMap

    Shows the services your computer connects to on a world map.

    FreeOpen sourcemacOSLinux

    TapMap plots your computer's connections on a world map using approximate GeoIP locations, and also runs on macOS as well as Linux.

  • ntopng

    Web-based network traffic probe that shows real-time and historical flows by host, protocol and application.

    FreemiumProprietaryWindowsmacOSLinuxSelf-hosted

    ntopng gives a web interface with real-time and historical flows by host and application, runs on more platforms, and has some paid features.

Similar software

Related functionality, not necessarily a direct replacement.

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