TShark vs Arkime

TShark9.2Visit Arkime8.7Visit

Higher score TShark #2 in Network Protocol Analyzers 9.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Wireshark

vs

Arkime #6 in Network Protocol Analyzers 8.7/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 4 of 5 features Visit Arkime

• TShark fits best

  Scriptable packet analysis

• Arkime fits best

  Searchable, server-based packet investigations

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Side by side

Feature	TShark 9.2/10 Visit ↗	Arkime 8.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.2	8.7
Ranking	#2 in Network Protocol Analyzers	#6 in Network Protocol Analyzers
Best for	Scriptable packet analysis	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 TShark 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	Live and offline analysis with PCAP and PCAPNG support Structured JSON, PDML, and fields output for automation Remote capture, filtering, flow analysis, and TLS decryption support	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	Command-line interface lacks Wireshark's graphical workflow TLS decryption requires appropriate configured secrets or keys No AI features for assisted analysis	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	TShark is the command-line network protocol analyzer included in the Wireshark distribution. It captures traffic from live network interfaces, reads saved PCAP and PCAPNG files, decodes protocols, applies capture and display filters, and… 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 →

Strengths and trade-offs

• TShark — where it wins

  • Live and offline analysis with PCAP and PCAPNG support
  • Structured JSON, PDML, and fields output for automation
  • Remote capture, filtering, flow analysis, and TLS decryption support

  Where it doesn't

  • Command-line interface lacks Wireshark's graphical workflow
  • TLS decryption requires appropriate configured secrets or keys
  • No AI features for assisted analysis

• 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

• TShark9.2/10 · Free plan

  A free, scriptable Wireshark-based analyzer for live captures, PCAP files, and protocol workflows.

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

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

  Visit ArkimeFull verdict →