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Head-to-head · Network Protocol Analyzers

Kismet vs Zui

  • 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
Zui #14 in Network Protocol Analyzers 7.8/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 5 features Visit Zui

Kismet leads on 0 checks, Zui on 0, and 6 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 7.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #14.

On capture sources, Kismet gives you Both where Zui offers Local.

Kismet is the better fit for wireless packet capture and monitoring. Zui is the better fit for PCAP investigations with Zeek and Suricata.

  • Kismet fits best

    Wireless packet capture and monitoring

  • Zui fits best

    PCAP investigations with Zeek and Suricata

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 ↗ Zui 7.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.9 7.8
Ranking #4 in Network Protocol Analyzers #14 in Network Protocol Analyzers
Best for Wireless packet capture and monitoring PCAP investigations with Zeek and Suricata
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Self-hosted, Desktop Desktop, Self-hosted
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux Windows, macOS, Linux
Support Community, Docs Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market
Features Kismet 5/5 · Zui 3/5
PCAP support ✓ ✓
Traffic decryption ✓ (best) Not checked yet
CLI tools ✓ ✓
Remote capture ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Flow analysis ✓ ✓
Specs
Deployment Both Both
Capture sources Both Local
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
  • Correlates Zeek events with Suricata alerts
  • Includes flow diagrams, pivots, queries, and PCAP export
  • Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux at no cost
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
  • Network capture is limited to local data
  • The release is described as legacy
  • Remote Zed access is not remote interface capture
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 →

Zui is a free desktop application for exploring, querying, and analyzing Zed lakes and packet-capture data. It is aimed at analysts investigating PCAP files with Zeek and Suricata, as well as teams working with local or remote Zed lake…

Read the review →
  1. KismetNetwork Protocol Analyzers 8.9Free plan
  2. ZuiNetwork Protocol Analyzers 7.8Free 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

  • Zui — where it wins

    • Correlates Zeek events with Suricata alerts
    • Includes flow diagrams, pivots, queries, and PCAP export
    • Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux at no cost

    Where it doesn't

    • Network capture is limited to local data
    • The release is described as legacy
    • Remote Zed access is not remote interface capture
  • Kismet8.9/10 · Free plan

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

    Visit KismetFull verdict →
  • Zui7.8/10 · Free plan

    A free, cross-platform desktop analyzer for PCAP, Zeek, Suricata, and Zed lakes.

    Visit ZuiFull 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