Wireshark vs Microsoft Network Monitor : Which is Better?

Wireshark icon

Wireshark

Wireshark is an open source network sniffing utility to analyze network traffic.

License: Open Source

Categories: Security & Privacy

Apps available for Mac OS X Windows Linux BSD

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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

Wireshark VS Microsoft Network Monitor

Microsoft Network Monitor is a user-friendly tool suited for basic network monitoring on Windows, but it lacks advanced features and cross-platform support. In contrast, Wireshark is a powerful, open-source network protocol analyzer favored by professionals for its extensive capabilities and community support.

Wireshark

Pros:

  • Open-source and free to use
  • Cross-platform support
  • Extensive protocol support
  • Strong community support
  • Advanced filtering and analysis capabilities

Cons:

  • Steeper learning curve for beginners
  • Can be overwhelming due to features
  • Performance may degrade with large datasets
  • Requires more configuration for advanced features
  • Occasional stability issues

Microsoft Network Monitor

Pros:

  • Easy to use interface
  • Integrated with other Microsoft tools
  • Good for basic network monitoring
  • Supports Windows environments
  • Decent protocol analysis capabilities

Cons:

  • Limited to Windows only
  • Not actively developed anymore
  • Fewer features compared to Wireshark
  • Lacks advanced analysis tools
  • Limited community support

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