# wireshark

wireshark is a Digital Forensics product. It runs on-premises. Pricing is free.

A free, open-source network protocol analyzer for capturing and displaying packet-level data.

Checked October 2026.

## What is wireshark?

Wireshark is a free, open-source network protocol analyzer that allows users to capture and display packet-level data, providing insights into network communication and troubleshooting capabilities.

With Wireshark, users can analyze network protocols, troubleshoot network problems, and detect network intrusion attempts. The tool is widely used in many commercial and non-profit enterprises and is supported by the non-profit Wireshark Foundation.

Wireshark offers various resources, including a university program, podcast, and conference, to help users learn and master the tool.

Tags: Network Discovery, Packet Capture, Protocol Analysis, Network Monitoring

## Where it fits in your security program (NIST CSF 2.0)

- [Detect](https://cybersectools.com/guides/building-detect-program-small-team): helps you spot attacks and unusual activity.
- [Respond](https://cybersectools.com/guides/building-respond-program-small-team): helps you contain and handle incidents.

## Quick facts

- Category: [Security Operations](https://cybersectools.com/categories/security-operations) · [Digital Forensics](https://cybersectools.com/categories/digital-forensics)
- Deployment: On-Premises
- Company size fit: Startup, SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise
- Pricing model: Free
- Website: wireshark.org

## Where it ranks

No shortlist covers this product's category yet. The closest is [Best MDR Solutions for Business](https://cybersectools.com/shortlists/best-mdr-solutions).

## wireshark FAQ

### What is wireshark?

wireshark is a product in the Digital Forensics category. It covers Network Discovery, Packet Capture and Protocol Analysis.

### What is the pricing for wireshark?

wireshark is free. Download and setup instructions are at https://www.wireshark.org/.

### What are alternatives to wireshark?

Alternatives to wireshark listed on CybersecTools:

1. [Packet Capture (cStor®)](https://cybersectools.com/tools/packet-capture-cstorr) - Lossless packet capture & analysis appliance at 10–200 Gbps line rate. (Commercial)
2. [Endace Full Packet Capture](https://cybersectools.com/tools/endace-full-packet-capture) - Full packet capture platform for network forensics and incident response. (Commercial)
3. [ExtraHop Packet Forensics](https://cybersectools.com/tools/extrahop-packet-forensics) - Continuous full packet capture and forensics for network investigations (Commercial)
4. [Telesoft TDAC](https://cybersectools.com/tools/telesoft-tdac) (Commercial)
5. [SISA Compromise Assessment](https://cybersectools.com/tools/sisa-compromise-assessment) - Service that detects hidden breaches and indicators of compromise across IT environments (Commercial)

Compare all wireshark alternatives at [https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/wireshark](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/wireshark)

### What deployment and organization size does wireshark fit?

wireshark is available as on-premises software. It is listed for startups, small businesses, mid-market companies and enterprises. It is free.

## Compare wireshark with similar solutions

- [wireshark vs Packet Capture (cStor®)](https://cybersectools.com/compare/packet-capture-cstorr-vs-wireshark)
- [wireshark vs Endace Full Packet Capture](https://cybersectools.com/compare/endace-full-packet-capture-vs-wireshark)
- [wireshark vs ExtraHop Packet Forensics](https://cybersectools.com/compare/extrahop-packet-forensics-vs-wireshark)

All alternatives to wireshark: [/alternatives/wireshark](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/wireshark)

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Source: https://cybersectools.com/tools/wireshark

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More on wireshark: funding, momentum, hiring and news, plus the full product and company record, are available through the Mandos MCP Server (paid plans), which connects to AI assistants: https://mandos.io/mcp?utm_source=cybersectools.com&utm_medium=product-md