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Head-to-head · Network Protocol Analyzers

Scapy vs Arkime

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 6 checks side by side
Higher score Scapy #3 in Network Protocol Analyzers 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Scapy
Arkime #6 in Network Protocol Analyzers 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Arkime

Scapy 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 scoreScapy · 9.0/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresScapy · 5 of 5

Scapy scores higher on our rubric for network protocol analyzers: 9.0 against 8.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #6.

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

Scapy is the better fit for programmable packet crafting and analysis. Arkime is the better fit for searchable, server-based packet investigations.

  • Scapy fits best

    Programmable packet crafting and analysis

  • 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 Scapy 9.0/10 Visit ↗ Arkime 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.0 8.7
Ranking #3 in Network Protocol Analyzers #6 in Network Protocol Analyzers
Best for Programmable packet crafting and analysis Searchable, server-based packet investigations
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop, Self-hosted Self-hosted
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux Web, Linux
Support Docs Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Scapy 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
  • Build and send custom packets with Python or the interactive shell.
  • Decode protocols and import or export PCAP files.
  • Analyze flows and support remote capture through Wireshark extcap.
  • 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
  • Its workflow centers on Python and an interactive shell.
  • TLS decryption requires available session secrets.
  • It is a toolkit, not a hosted SaaS service.
  • 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

Scapy is an open-source Python program and library for sending, sniffing, dissecting, forging, and analyzing network packets. It is aimed at users who need programmable control over packet construction and inspection rather than a fixed…

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. ScapyNetwork Protocol Analyzers 9.0Free plan
  2. ArkimeNetwork Protocol Analyzers 8.7Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Scapy — where it wins

    • Build and send custom packets with Python or the interactive shell.
    • Decode protocols and import or export PCAP files.
    • Analyze flows and support remote capture through Wireshark extcap.

    Where it doesn't

    • Its workflow centers on Python and an interactive shell.
    • TLS decryption requires available session secrets.
    • It is a toolkit, not a hosted SaaS service.

  • 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
  • Scapy9.0/10 · Free plan

    A free, programmable toolkit for crafting, capturing, decoding, and analyzing packets.

    Visit ScapyFull 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