PCAPdroid vs tcpflow

Struggling to choose between PCAPdroid and tcpflow? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

PCAPdroid is a Network & Admin solution with tags like network, protocol, analyzer, troubleshooting, debugging.

It boasts features such as Real-time packet capture, Filters for protocols, hosts, ports etc, Detailed packet inspection, Export PCAP files, Works over WiFi, cellular data, VPNs, Supports IPv4 and IPv6 and pros including Free and open source, Easy to use interface, Lightweight app, Works offline, Good for learning about networks.

On the other hand, tcpflow is a Network & Admin product tagged with tcp, network, monitoring, flows, packets, capture.

Its standout features include Captures TCP traffic flows from live network interfaces or packet capture files, Reassembles TCP streams and stores application-layer data, Stores TCP metadata like sequence numbers, acknowledgments, window advertisements, Supports BPF filters for selective capturing, Outputs flows in various formats like ASCII, CSV, JSON, Can extract files based on signatures, Has a library API for programmatic access, and it shines with pros like Open source and free, Lightweight and fast, Powerful BPF filtering capabilities, Extensible via plugins, Portable across platforms, Can extract files and media, CLI and library API available.

To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison of these two products, delving into their features, pros, cons, pricing, and more. Get ready to explore the nuances that set them apart and determine which one is the perfect fit for your requirements.

PCAPdroid

PCAPdroid

PCAPdroid is a network protocol analyzer app for Android. It allows users to capture, inspect, and analyze network traffic on their Android devices. Useful for network troubleshooting, debugging, and learning about network protocols.

Categories:
network protocol analyzer troubleshooting debugging

PCAPdroid Features

  1. Real-time packet capture
  2. Filters for protocols, hosts, ports etc
  3. Detailed packet inspection
  4. Export PCAP files
  5. Works over WiFi, cellular data, VPNs
  6. Supports IPv4 and IPv6

Pricing

  • Free
  • Open Source

Pros

Free and open source

Easy to use interface

Lightweight app

Works offline

Good for learning about networks

Cons

Limited compared to desktop analyzers

Can drain battery quickly

No automated analysis features


tcpflow

tcpflow

tcpflow is an open source tool for capturing TCP traffic flows. It works by capturing packets from network interfaces or packet capture files, reassembling TCP streams, and storing application-layer data with relevant TCP metadata.

Categories:
tcp network monitoring flows packets capture

Tcpflow Features

  1. Captures TCP traffic flows from live network interfaces or packet capture files
  2. Reassembles TCP streams and stores application-layer data
  3. Stores TCP metadata like sequence numbers, acknowledgments, window advertisements
  4. Supports BPF filters for selective capturing
  5. Outputs flows in various formats like ASCII, CSV, JSON
  6. Can extract files based on signatures
  7. Has a library API for programmatic access

Pricing

  • Open Source

Pros

Open source and free

Lightweight and fast

Powerful BPF filtering capabilities

Extensible via plugins

Portable across platforms

Can extract files and media

CLI and library API available

Cons

Limited to TCP flows only

No fancy GUI

Steep learning curve

Need to process outputs for analysis

Not a full packet analyzer