TShark vs Scapy

TShark9.2Visit Scapy9.0Visit

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

vs

Scapy #3 in Network Protocol Analyzers 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Scapy

• TShark fits best

  Scriptable packet analysis

• Scapy fits best

  Programmable packet crafting and analysis

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Side by side

Feature	TShark 9.2/10 Visit ↗	Scapy 9.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.2	9.0
Ranking	#2 in Network Protocol Analyzers	#3 in Network Protocol Analyzers
Best for	Scriptable packet analysis	Programmable packet crafting and analysis
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	Docs
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features TShark 5/5 · Scapy 5/5
PCAP support	✓	✓
Traffic decryption	✓	✓
CLI tools	✓	✓
Remote capture	✓	✓
Flow analysis	✓	✓
Specs
Deployment	Both	Both
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	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.
Cons	Command-line interface lacks Wireshark's graphical workflow TLS decryption requires appropriate configured secrets or keys No AI features for assisted analysis	Its workflow centers on Python and an interactive shell. TLS decryption requires available session secrets. It is a toolkit, not a hosted SaaS service.
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 →	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 →

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

• 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.

• TShark9.2/10 · Free plan

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

  Visit WiresharkFull verdict →
• Scapy9.0/10 · Free plan

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

  Visit ScapyFull verdict →