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Head-to-head · Network Protocol Analyzers

Kismet vs Arkime

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Kismet #4 in Network Protocol Analyzers 8.9/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Kismet
Arkime #6 in Network Protocol Analyzers 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Arkime

Kismet leads on 1 check, Arkime on 0, 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 scoreKismet · 8.9/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresKismet · 5 of 5

Kismet scores higher on our rubric for network protocol analyzers: 8.9 against 8.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #6.

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

Kismet is the better fit for wireless packet capture and monitoring. Arkime is the better fit for searchable, server-based packet investigations.

  • Kismet fits best

    Wireless packet capture and monitoring

  • Arkime fits best

    Searchable, server-based packet investigations

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 Kismet 8.9/10 Visit ↗ Arkime 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.9 8.7
Ranking #4 in Network Protocol Analyzers #6 in Network Protocol Analyzers
Best for Wireless packet capture and monitoring Searchable, server-based packet investigations
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Self-hosted, Desktop Self-hosted
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux Web, Linux
Support Community, Docs Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Kismet 5/5 · Arkime 4/5
PCAP support ✓ ✓
Traffic decryption ✓ (best) —
CLI tools ✓ ✓
Remote capture ✓ ✓
Flow analysis ✓ ✓
Specs
Deployment Both Server
Capture sources Both Both
Our review
Pros
  • Captures Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, RF, and supported sensor traffic
  • Supports remote sensors, PCAP workflows, APIs, and command-line tools
  • Combines device tracking, WIDS alerts, logging, and trend monitoring
  • 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
Cons
  • Windows support runs through WSL rather than a native capture stack
  • Its breadth may exceed the needs of teams focused on one protocol
  • Known-key decryption support depends on having the relevant key
  • 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
Our verdict

Kismet is a free, open-source wireless monitoring and packet-capture tool for teams investigating Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, Zigbee, RF devices, and other supported protocols. It supports local interfaces and remote sensors,…

Read the review →

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 →
  1. KismetNetwork Protocol Analyzers 8.9Free plan
  2. ArkimeNetwork Protocol Analyzers 8.7Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Kismet — where it wins

    • Captures Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, RF, and supported sensor traffic
    • Supports remote sensors, PCAP workflows, APIs, and command-line tools
    • Combines device tracking, WIDS alerts, logging, and trend monitoring

    Where it doesn't

    • Windows support runs through WSL rather than a native capture stack
    • Its breadth may exceed the needs of teams focused on one protocol
    • Known-key decryption support depends on having the relevant key

  • 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
  • Kismet8.9/10 · Free plan

    A flexible, free toolkit for wireless capture, monitoring, analysis, and distributed sensors.

    Visit KismetFull verdict →
  • Arkime8.7/10 · Free plan

    A server-based Arkime system for searchable packet investigations and session analysis.

    Visit ArkimeFull verdict →

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