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Head-to-head · Network Protocol Analyzers

Arkime vs Ettercap

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Arkime #6 in Network Protocol Analyzers 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Arkime
Ettercap #7 in Network Protocol Analyzers 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Ettercap

Arkime leads on 0 checks, Ettercap on 1, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreArkime · 8.7/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresEttercap · 5 of 5

Arkime scores higher on our rubric for network protocol analyzers: 8.7 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #6 and #7.

On deployment, Arkime gives you Server where Ettercap offers Desktop. Ettercap offers traffic decryption; Arkime doesn't.

Arkime is the better fit for searchable, server-based packet investigations. Ettercap is the better fit for traffic interception and Wi-Fi decryption.

  • Arkime fits best

    Searchable, server-based packet investigations

  • Ettercap fits best

    Traffic interception and Wi-Fi decryption

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Arkime 8.7/10 Visit ↗ Ettercap 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.7 8.6
Ranking #6 in Network Protocol Analyzers #7 in Network Protocol Analyzers
Best for Searchable, server-based packet investigations Traffic interception and Wi-Fi decryption
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Self-hosted Desktop
Platforms Web, Linux Linux, macOS
Support Community, Docs Email, Docs
Built for Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features Arkime 4/5 · Ettercap 5/5
PCAP support ✓ ✓
Traffic decryption — ✓ (best)
CLI tools ✓ ✓
Remote capture ✓ ✓
Flow analysis ✓ ✓
Specs
Deployment Server Desktop
Capture sources Both Both
Our review
Pros
  • Combines live capture with offline PCAP import and processing
  • Searches session metadata and protocol fields through a web interface
  • Supports PCAP retention, export, flow views, and remote capture
  • Free and open source with no commercial pricing tier
  • Supports SSL interception and WEP/WPA Wi-Fi packet decryption
  • Combines live sniffing, PCAP handling, filtering, and plugins
Cons
  • Requires server deployment and self-hosted operation
  • Encrypted TLS traffic is indexed as ciphertext without decryption support
  • OpenSearch or Elasticsearch is required for indexed session data
  • Desktop deployment limits it to local analyzer workflows
  • Platform support is focused on Linux and macOS
  • Packet modification and interception require authorized security work
Our verdict

Arkime is a self-hosted, open-source network analysis and session search system for security teams and network operators. It runs on Linux with web, API, and server deployment options. The system can capture traffic from live network…

Read the review →

Ettercap is an open-source network security suite for authorized traffic inspection and man-in-the-middle testing. It is aimed at security professionals and network administrators who need to inspect live traffic, analyze protocols, work…

Read the review →
  1. ArkimeNetwork Protocol Analyzers 8.7Free plan
  2. EttercapNetwork Protocol Analyzers 8.6Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Arkime — where it wins

    • Combines live capture with offline PCAP import and processing
    • Searches session metadata and protocol fields through a web interface
    • Supports PCAP retention, export, flow views, and remote capture

    Where it doesn't

    • Requires server deployment and self-hosted operation
    • Encrypted TLS traffic is indexed as ciphertext without decryption support
    • OpenSearch or Elasticsearch is required for indexed session data

  • Ettercap — where it wins

    • Free and open source with no commercial pricing tier
    • Supports SSL interception and WEP/WPA Wi-Fi packet decryption
    • Combines live sniffing, PCAP handling, filtering, and plugins

    Where it doesn't

    • Desktop deployment limits it to local analyzer workflows
    • Platform support is focused on Linux and macOS
    • Packet modification and interception require authorized security work

More comparisons

All network protocol analyzers comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update