Wireshark (2025)

Windows, macOS, Linux, and various UNIX-like systems. License: GNU General Public License (GPL).

Uses libpcap/WinPcap (or Npcap) for network capture. wireshark

Wireshark's popularity stems from its extensive feature set that caters to both novices and seasoned professionals. tshark(1) Manual Page - Wireshark Windows, macOS, Linux, and various UNIX-like systems

TShark , which offers similar functionality without a graphical user interface. Core Capabilities and Features Wireshark's popularity stems from its extensive feature set

is the world's leading open-source network protocol analyzer, often described as the "gold standard" for network packet analysis. It allows users to capture and interactively browse the traffic running on a computer network in real time. By transforming raw network packets into structured, human-readable data, it provides deep visibility into what is happening at the most granular level of a network. Quick Facts Initial Release: June 1998 (originally named Ethereal).