tcpflow vs SmartSniff

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

tcpflow is a Network & Admin solution with tags like tcp, network, monitoring, flows, packets, capture.

It boasts features such as 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 pros including 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.

On the other hand, SmartSniff is a Network & Admin product tagged with sniffing, traffic-analysis, bandwidth-monitoring.

Its standout features include Real-time packet capture and network traffic analysis, Filters for protocols, IPs, ports etc, Statistical and graphical overview of network traffic, Can save capture files in multiple formats, Works across Ethernet, WiFi, dial-up, VPN connections, and it shines with pros like Free and open source, Simple and easy to use interface, Lightweight and resource efficient, Cross-platform support.

Feature	tcpflow	SmartSniff
Overall Score	N/A	N/A
Primary Category	Network & Admin	Network & Admin

Product Overview

tcpflow

Description: 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.

SmartSniff

Description: SmartSniff is a network monitoring software that allows users to capture and analyze network traffic. It can intercept and log traffic passing through Ethernet and Wi-Fi connections and provides insights into bandwidth usage, network activity, and potential issues.

Key Features Comparison

tcpflow Features

• 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

SmartSniff Features

• Real-time packet capture and network traffic analysis
• Filters for protocols, IPs, ports etc
• Statistical and graphical overview of network traffic
• Can save capture files in multiple formats
• Works across Ethernet, WiFi, dial-up, VPN connections

Pros & Cons Analysis

tcpflow

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

SmartSniff

Pros

• Free and open source
• Simple and easy to use interface
• Lightweight and resource efficient
• Cross-platform support

Cons

• Lacks some advanced features of commercial sniffers
• Cannot analyze encrypted traffic
• Limited to network layer analysis

Pricing Comparison

tcpflow

• Open Source

SmartSniff

• Free
• Open Source