WinPcap vs Microsoft Network Monitor : Which is Better?

WinPcap icon

WinPcap

WinPcap is the Windows version of the libpcap library; it includes a driver to support capturing packets.

License: Free

Categories: Network & Admin

Apps available for Windows

VS
VS
Microsoft Network Monitor icon

Microsoft Network Monitor

Microsoft Network Monitor is discontinued a packet analyzer for capturing, viewing, and analyzing network data and deciphering network protocols. Developed by Microsoft

License: Free

Categories: Network & Admin

Apps available for Windows

WinPcap VS Microsoft Network Monitor

Microsoft Network Monitor is a user-friendly tool with real-time monitoring and protocol analysis features, but it is limited to Windows and is not open-source. In contrast, WinPcap is an open-source library that supports multiple platforms and has strong community backing, but it lacks a user-friendly interface and real-time monitoring capabilities.

WinPcap

Pros:

  • Open-source and free to use
  • Strong community support
  • Cross-platform compatibility
  • Advanced filtering options
  • Performance metrics available

Cons:

  • Less user-friendly interface
  • No real-time monitoring
  • Limited integration with other tools
  • May require additional setup for certain environments
  • Lacks built-in protocol analysis tools

Microsoft Network Monitor

Pros:

  • User-friendly interface
  • Real-time monitoring capabilities
  • Built-in protocol analysis tools
  • Good export options
  • Integration with other Microsoft tools

Cons:

  • Not open-source
  • Limited to Windows OS
  • Less community support compared to WinPcap
  • Performance may be lower in high-load scenarios
  • No scripting support

Compare WinPcap