Wireshark vs Microsoft Network Monitor

Struggling to choose between Wireshark and Microsoft Network Monitor? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

Wireshark is a Network & Admin solution with tags like network, troubleshooting, analysis, packet-capture, protocol-analyzer.

It boasts features such as Network protocol analyzer, Real-time capturing and offline analysis, Rich VoIP analysis, Read/write many different capture file formats, Live data can be read from Ethernet, IEEE 802.11, PPP/HDLC, ATM, Bluetooth, USB, Token Ring, Frame Relay, FDDI, and others, Decryption support for many protocols and pros including Powerful feature set, Cross-platform, Open source, Large user community support.

On the other hand, Microsoft Network Monitor is a Network & Admin product tagged with sniffer, analyzer, troubleshooting, debugging.

Its standout features include Packet capture and analysis, Advanced filtering capabilities, Protocol decoding and analysis, Expert analysis to identify issues, Multi-host monitoring and aggregation, Customizable dashboards and reporting, Integration with Microsoft products, and it shines with pros like Powerful feature set for network troubleshooting, Free and included with Windows, Easy to use interface, Good integration with Microsoft ecosystem, Advanced analysis capabilities.

Feature	Wireshark	Microsoft Network Monitor
Overall Score	N/A	N/A
Primary Category	Network & Admin	Network & Admin

Product Overview

Wireshark

Description: Wireshark is an open-source packet analyzer software used for network troubleshooting, analysis, and communications protocol development. It allows users to see what's happening on their network at a microscopic level.

Microsoft Network Monitor

Description: Microsoft Network Monitor is a network packet analyzer and sniffer for Windows that enables capturing, viewing, and analyzing network data. It can troubleshoot connectivity issues, analyze network traffic, debug protocol implementations, and more.

Key Features Comparison

Wireshark Features

• Network protocol analyzer
• Real-time capturing and offline analysis
• Rich VoIP analysis
• Read/write many different capture file formats
• Live data can be read from Ethernet, IEEE 802.11, PPP/HDLC, ATM, Bluetooth, USB, Token Ring, Frame Relay, FDDI, and others
• Decryption support for many protocols

Microsoft Network Monitor Features

• Packet capture and analysis
• Advanced filtering capabilities
• Protocol decoding and analysis
• Expert analysis to identify issues
• Multi-host monitoring and aggregation
• Customizable dashboards and reporting
• Integration with Microsoft products

Pros & Cons Analysis

Wireshark

Pros

• Powerful feature set
• Cross-platform
• Open source
• Large user community support

Cons

• Steep learning curve
• Can be resource intensive
• Capturing raw packets requires admin privileges

Microsoft Network Monitor

Pros

• Powerful feature set for network troubleshooting
• Free and included with Windows
• Easy to use interface
• Good integration with Microsoft ecosystem
• Advanced analysis capabilities

Cons

• Limited to Windows platforms
• Less powerful than commercial alternatives like Wireshark
• Lacks some features of more advanced analyzers
• Captures limited to local interfaces by default

Pricing Comparison

Wireshark

• Open Source

Microsoft Network Monitor

• Free
• One-time Purchase