Head-to-head · Network Protocol Analyzers
Scapy vs Zui
Scapy 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 scoreScapy · 9.0/10
- Free planboth
- Most featuresScapy · 5 of 5
Scapy scores higher on our rubric for network protocol analyzers: 9.0 against 7.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #14.
On capture sources, Scapy gives you Both where Zui offers Local.
Scapy is the better fit for programmable packet crafting and analysis. Zui is the better fit for PCAP investigations with Zeek and Suricata.
- Scapy fits best
Programmable packet crafting and analysis
- Zui fits best
PCAP investigations with Zeek and Suricata
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Side by side
| Feature | Scapy 9.0/10 Visit ↗ | Zui 7.8/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 9.0 | 7.8 |
| Ranking | #3 in Network Protocol Analyzers | #14 in Network Protocol Analyzers |
| Best for | Programmable packet crafting and analysis | PCAP investigations with Zeek and Suricata |
| Pricing model | Free | Free |
| Starting price | Free plan | Free plan |
| Free plan | ✓ | ✓ |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Desktop, Self-hosted | Desktop, Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Support | Docs | Community, Docs |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise | Solo, Small business, Mid-market |
| Features Scapy 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 |
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| Cons |
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| 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 → |
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 → |
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.
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
- Scapy9.0/10 · Free plan
A free, programmable toolkit for crafting, capturing, decoding, and analyzing packets.
Visit ScapyFull verdict → - Zui7.8/10 · Free plan
A free, cross-platform desktop analyzer for PCAP, Zeek, Suricata, and Zed lakes.
Visit ZuiFull verdict →
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All network protocol analyzers comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update