tcpflow vs tcpdump

Struggling to choose between tcpflow and tcpdump? 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, tcpdump is a Network & Admin product tagged with packet-capture, network-traffic, commandline.

Its standout features include Packet capture and network traffic monitoring, Capture filters for selective packet capture, Reading packets from files for offline analysis, Output to console, files, or other programs, Decoding of various network protocols, and it shines with pros like Free and open source, Available for multiple platforms, Powerful command line interface, Wide protocol support, Allows inspection of raw network traffic, Lightweight and fast.

Feature	tcpflow	tcpdump
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.

tcpdump

Description: tcpdump is a command-line network monitoring and data acquisition tool used to capture packet data flowing over a network. It can intercept and log traffic passing over a digital network or part of a network.

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

tcpdump Features

• Packet capture and network traffic monitoring
• Capture filters for selective packet capture
• Reading packets from files for offline analysis
• Output to console, files, or other programs
• Decoding of various network protocols

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

tcpdump

Pros

• Free and open source
• Available for multiple platforms
• Powerful command line interface
• Wide protocol support
• Allows inspection of raw network traffic
• Lightweight and fast

Cons

• Command line only, no GUI
• Steep learning curve
• Manual analysis of captures required
• Does not do automated intrusion detection
• Requires root/admin rights on most OSes

Pricing Comparison

tcpflow

• Open Source

tcpdump

• Open Source