Wireshark Reviews

Name: Wireshark
Brand: Wireshark
Rating: 4.5 (63 reviews)

4.5 out of 5

63 reviews
98% willing to recommend

What is Wireshark?

Wireshark is the world's foremost network protocol analyzer.

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Wireshark is the #4 ranked solution in top Network Troubleshooting solutions. PeerSpot users give Wireshark an average rating of 9.0 out of 10. Wireshark is most commonly compared to Auvik Network Management (ANM): Wireshark vs Auvik Network Management (ANM). Wireshark is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 58% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a university, accounting for 11% of all views.

Helped 863,679 peers since 2012

Featured Wireshark reviews

Vijay Duggal

Network Specialist at Squarepoint Capital

There is a disadvantage when it comes to sampling intervals. While the solution supports sampling as fine as one millisecond, it requires a copy at that interval. My Python script allows me to achieve a granularity of up to ten microseconds, but I can't go beyond that. When dealing with provisioning on both issues, it would be beneficial if I could go down to the microsecond level, if not the nanosecond. Additionally, I've heard from a colleague that Wireshark might be less effective in the voice domain.

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DonniUgalde

Senior I.T. Systems Engineer at Pro Techs MSP

I wish the filters were a little bit more prepopulated. It would have been easy to hit a drop-down and select a filter. If I only wanted to look at DCP, UDP, or IP, it would be easy to filter it out. Advanced network knowledge is required to get a lot out of the tool. However, it's very easy to install and deploy. It would be nice if there were some handheld Android devices with a Wireshark-specialized application that would allow us to mirror a Cisco port. Then, we can just plug into the port and click the green start button, and it will start ingesting the packet capture. Then, we won’t be using a laptop. The only downside is that we must have a laptop and connect a network cable. Some new laptops don't have network ports, so we have to get another adapter. Having an all-in-one device, like NetAlly or Fluke, and some of their network devices would be cool.

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Heritier Daya

Network Administrator at a financial services firm with 1,001-5,000 employees

The feature to incorporate Voice over IP (VoIP) incidents into network traffic analysis is valuable. Capturing voice or SIP communication allows for examination of interactions between SIP clients and SIP servers. This helps the team investigate or analyze issues related to call center servers and operators. It's a tool for communication server functionality. These tools help the team achieve its objective of improving services by detecting issues.

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Wireshark mindshare

As of July 2025, the mindshare of Wireshark in the Network Troubleshooting category stands at 13.4%, up from 11.7% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Network Troubleshooting

PeerResearch reports based on Wireshark reviews

Type	Title	Date
Category	Network Troubleshooting	Jul 28, 2025	Download
Product	Reviews, tips, and advice from real users	Jul 28, 2025	Download
Comparison	Wireshark vs Auvik Network Management (ANM)	Jul 28, 2025	Download
Comparison	Wireshark vs LinkRunner	Jul 28, 2025	Download
Comparison	Wireshark vs NetAlly EtherScope nXG	Jul 28, 2025	Download

Title	Rating	Mindshare	Recommending
Auvik Network Management (ANM)	4.4	3.4%	98%	198 interviews Add to research
AirMagnet Survey PRO	4.1	8.4%	86%	39 interviews Add to research

Valuable Features

Wireshark excels with features like open-source flexibility, advanced packet inspection, and robust filter capabilities. Users highlight its compatibility across major platforms, user-friendly interface, and support for multiple protocols. Wireshark's ability to analyze real-time traffic, export and import data in various formats, and visualize network statistics makes it invaluable for network troubleshooting. Customizable filters and color coding enhance usability, while its community-driven development continually adapts to new protocols and technology trends.

"It helps in analyzing if something looks suspicious, such as a brute force attack or scanning from somewhere."
"Wireshark saves a lot of time, especially with network troubleshooting."
"Wireshark is a good tool to start with network analyzing and packet capturing."

Room for Improvement

Wireshark's interface poses challenges for new users, requiring advanced network knowledge. It lacks interactivity, limiting utility to observation. Users report steep learning curves due to complex filters. It struggles with large files, lacks encryption features, and needs GUI improvements. Windows compatibility is less straightforward than Linux, and simplified filter application is desired. Enhancements in monitoring capabilities and artificial intelligence for threat detection are needed. Wireshark could benefit from improved network topology visualization and decryption capabilities.

"I have not used Wireshark to an advanced point where I could provide a detailed opinion on improvements needed."
"The speed of the Internet could be improved, especially its performance."
"The solution’s user interface could be improved."

ROI

Wireshark has significantly improved network troubleshooting efficiency, reducing diagnosis time. Users experienced better clarity in network traffic analysis, which led to faster problem resolution. Enhanced monitoring capabilities contributed to maintaining optimal performance. Some users reported that the tool's comprehensive features justified the investment, highlighting cost savings through minimized downtime. Experts appreciated Wireshark's ability to detect complex issues that were previously unnoticed, enabling proactive maintenance and supporting network integrity.

Pricing

Wireshark is widely recognized for its open-source nature, providing a cost-effective solution as it's free to download and use, presenting no licensing fees. Many organizations leverage the free version for its robust network investigation features, though a few paid features and support options exist for those seeking additional functionality. Most users value this cost-saving benefit, making it a preferred choice in network analysis tools.

"Wireshark is free of charge, and there's no license involved."
"The tool is free."
"Wireshark is open source and gives great value and functionality to the network investigation."

Popular Use Cases

Users primarily utilize Wireshark for network troubleshooting, capturing packet data for detailed analysis, and diagnosing connectivity issues. It facilitates forensic work, network management, and security by revealing packet paths, detecting anomalies, and analyzing traffic patterns. Teams leverage it for inspecting wireless and wired networks, identifying protocol issues, and conducting threat hunting. Companies find Wireshark indispensable for monitoring network communications, ensuring data flow, and verifying packet transmissions while requiring users to have TCP/IP knowledge.

Service and Support

Wireshark has a strong community and many online resources, including YouTube and forums, making formal customer service unnecessary for most. Users frequently resolve issues through internet searches and community contributions. Few engage with technical support, finding answers via FAQs or peer assistance. Being open-source, Wireshark lacks traditional service and relies on collective efforts. Users appreciate the swift integration of bug reports into new releases, enhancing their satisfaction without direct support contact.

Deployment

Wireshark's initial setup is often described as simple and quick, typically taking 10 to 20 minutes. Many find it intuitive, emphasizing a straightforward download and installation process. Though some non-technical users may face challenges, those with basic technical knowledge find it uncomplicated. In organizations, admin privileges may be needed. Despite a generally easy setup, approvals in large companies can be restrictive due to workplace policies on network tools.

Scalability

Wireshark is praised for its scalability, with users appreciating its ability to manage extensive network data and functionality across devices and operating systems. Challenges include handling large data volumes and the need for automation in bigger setups. It is commonly used by individual users and enterprises, with varying ease in deployment on multiple devices. Wireshark's user-friendly interface aids in network analysis, but some mention room for improved centralized management.

Stability

Wireshark exhibits strong stability, praised by many for its reliable performance across multiple platforms including Windows, Linux, and MacBook. It is highly rated with most users expressing minimal issues, though some faced challenges with large files causing crashes. Stability ratings often reach nine out of ten, with many users experiencing no crashes, bugs, or glitches. While a few recall previous version difficulties, these have seemingly been resolved, reflecting its capability to handle extensive logging sessions.

These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.

Download our Wireshark Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.