BruteShark

At a glance

• Editor score
  6.6 / 10
• Pricing
  Free plan
• Best for
  Free extraction-focused investigations
• Free plan
  Yes
• Paid from
  Free
• Operating systems
  Windows and Linux
• Facts checked
  21 Sep 2026

• Where it wins

  • Extracts credentials, passwords, authentication hashes, DNS queries, and files
  • Reconstructs TCP, UDP, SIP, and RTP sessions from captured traffic
  • Combines a Windows GUI with command-line processing on Windows and Linux

• Where it doesn't

  • Windows is required for the graphical application
  • No AI features are included
  • Maintenance status is not clearly documented

Our verdict on BruteShark

BruteShark is an open-source network forensic analysis tool for security researchers and network administrators. It analyzes PCAP and PCAPNG traffic, while also supporting live capture from a network interface. The Windows application provides a graphical interface, and the command-line tool runs on Windows and Linux. Its focus is investigative extraction rather than general network monitoring, with features for credentials, authentication hashes, DNS queries, sessions, files, and VoIP calls.

BruteShark is free and open source, with no paid workflow to compare across plan tiers. The platform fit is clear: Windows users can access the GUI and CLI, while Linux users can use the CLI. Command-line processing can handle files or directories and export results to standard output or files. Hashcat export supports a password-analysis workflow, and Neo4j integration connects network-map output with that ecosystem. PCAP and PCAPNG support also gives investigators a defined capture-file scope.

Its standout value is the breadth of extraction in one forensic workflow. BruteShark can capture traffic, generate visual network maps, extract DNS activity, reconstruct TCP and UDP sessions, carve files, and extract VoIP calls from SIP and RTP traffic. Credential and password extraction, plus authentication-hash extraction with Hashcat export, make it suited to focused investigations. Choose BruteShark when free, open-source analysis and extraction are priorities. Choose another tool if you need a graphical application on Linux, support for platforms beyond Windows and Linux, or AI features.

Your product? Our editors can test BruteShark in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →

BruteShark pricing

BruteShark fact sheet

BruteShark integrations

BruteShark lists 2 integrations on its own site.

• Hashcat
• Neo4j

Alternatives to BruteShark

• WiresharkA complete free analyzer for live capture, offline analysis, protocol inspection, and packet decryption.9.4
• TSharkA free, open-source choice for structured, scriptable packet analysis.9.2
• tcpdumpA free, open-source choice for precise capture, filtering, and PCAP inspection.9.0

See all BruteShark alternatives →

Featured on iTechGuides

BruteShark is listed in our Network Packet Analyzer Software directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.

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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

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Last updated 7 Oct 2026 · How we research and update