Compare software

tcpdump vs tcpflow: catalog facts
tcpdump	tcpflow
Free Free and open source under the BSD licence.	Free Free and open source.
Windows, macOS, Linux, Command line	Linux, Command line
Available on practically every Unix system, including embedded ones Writes standard pcap files that every other tool can read	Reconstructs full TCP streams into files Works on live capture or saved pcap files
Needs elevated privileges to capture Output is dense and takes practice to read	Command-line only Usually built from source
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Open source	Open source
License: BSD-3-Clause	License not stated
Not stated if an account is needed	No account needed
Not stated if it works offline	Works offline
Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 22, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Checked October 1, 2026

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