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ngrep vs SmartSniff: catalog facts
ngrep	SmartSniff
Free Free open-source software.	Free Freeware from NirSoft; free to redistribute as long as nothing is charged.
Windows, Linux, Command line	Windows
Grep-style matching on packet payloads Accepts tcpdump-style BPF filters	Shows traffic as readable client-server conversations Can capture without installing a driver via Raw Sockets
Text output only, with no protocol decoding like Wireshark Capturing traffic usually needs root or administrator rights	Official system requirements list Windows versions up to Windows 8 Raw Sockets mode misses outgoing UDP and ICMP packets and is unreliable on some systems
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Open source	Closed source
License not stated	License: Freeware
No account needed	No account needed
Works offline	Not stated if it works offline
Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 23, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Checked October 8, 2026

Catalog facts only. Anything “not stated” is unconfirmed. Check full listings for details.