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Wireshark vs SmartSniff: catalog facts
WiresharkSmartSniff
Free

Free and open source. The foundation is funded by sponsors, training and certification.

Free

Freeware from NirSoft; free to redistribute as long as nothing is charged.

Windows, macOS, Linux Windows
  • Dissectors for hundreds of protocols, so the packet contents are readable rather than hex
  • Display filters that cut a huge capture down to one conversation
  • Shows traffic as readable client-server conversations
  • Can capture without installing a driver via Raw Sockets
  • Capturing on most systems needs elevated privileges or a driver such as Npcap
  • The interface assumes you already know roughly what you are looking for
  • 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: GPL-2.0 License: Freeware
No account needed No account needed
Works offline Not stated if it works offline

Checked September 20, 2026

Checked October 8, 2026

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