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Wireshark pros and cons

Vendor: Wireshark
4.5 out of 5
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Pros & Cons summary

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Prominent pros & cons

PROS

Wireshark features tools like tshark for parsing large packet-capture files efficiently, facilitating the analysis of extensive data without opening them.
The software offers deep packet inspection and detailed analysis capabilities, which are crucial for network security troubleshooting and understanding network activities at a granular level.
It supports advanced filtering options, allowing users to segregate and examine network traffic effectively, which aids in targeted analysis and troubleshooting.
Wireshark is equipped with features for decrypting traffic and conducting thorough analyses, which are beneficial in forensic investigations and network monitoring.
The colorization of protocols in the interface helps in quickly identifying specific network activities and issues, enhancing the user's ability to diagnose and resolve network problems efficiently.

CONS

Wireshark's command line tools need more emphasis and ease of application is lacking.
The search function would benefit from live descriptions to ease usage and reduce the learning curve.
It struggles with handling big trace files efficiently without external tools.
Compatibility issues arise with different operating systems, notably between Windows and Linux.
Wireshark faces difficulties with decryption of encrypted packets and requires improved support for automation.
 

Wireshark Pros review quotes

Vijay Duggal - PeerSpot reviewer
Network Specialist at Squarepoint Capital
Nov 2, 2023
If you're dealing with troubleshooting network, voice issues, or network operations, having a tool like Wireshark to dive into packet details is important. The initial setup is straightforward. Anyone starting out or looking to deploy it on your personal PC or machine can do it easily.
DonniUgalde - PeerSpot reviewer
Senior I.T. Systems Engineer at Pro Techs MSP
Mar 18, 2024
The GUI is easy to use.
Kamal Kumar Verma - PeerSpot reviewer
Lead Consultant at Genpact - Headstrong
Jul 5, 2023
Wireshark helps us to understand network traffic.
Learn what your peers think about Wireshark. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: April 2026.
893,221 professionals have used our research since 2012.
PrathmeshShinde - PeerSpot reviewer
Teaching Assistant at University of Colorado Boulder
May 19, 2023
You can use Wireshark to see the traffic packet format, the IP layers, the fields, and the enabled flags.
Heritier Daya - PeerSpot reviewer
Network Administrator at a financial services firm with 1,001-5,000 employees
Nov 6, 2023
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.
DeepakKumar - PeerSpot reviewer
Senior Lead Engineer at a wireless company with 10,001+ employees
Jul 7, 2022
The product is simple to implement.
Joel Ogbechie - PeerSpot reviewer
Cybersecurity Operations Lead at a tech services company with 51-200 employees
Oct 23, 2024
It helps in analyzing if something looks suspicious, such as a brute force attack or scanning from somewhere.
reviewer2171574 - PeerSpot reviewer
Chief Technologist at a consumer goods company with 10,001+ employees
Nov 2, 2023
The filter option provided by Wireshark is its most valuable feature...Scalability-wise, I rate the solution a ten out of ten.
SanjeevKumar19 - PeerSpot reviewer
Technical Support Engineer at AlgoSec
Sep 27, 2023
It is a stable product. I would rate the stability a ten out of ten.
AdeelAgha - PeerSpot reviewer
Team Lead - Cyber Security & Compliance at Al Tuwairqi Group
Mar 3, 2023
Wireshark is very user-friendly; even someone with basic IT knowledge can use it.
 

Wireshark Cons review quotes

Vijay Duggal - PeerSpot reviewer
Network Specialist at Squarepoint Capital
Nov 2, 2023
There is a disadvantage when it comes to sampling intervals. Additionally, I've heard from a colleague that Wireshark might be less effective in the voice domain.
DonniUgalde - PeerSpot reviewer
Senior I.T. Systems Engineer at Pro Techs MSP
Mar 18, 2024
I wish the filters were a little bit more prepopulated.
Kamal Kumar Verma - PeerSpot reviewer
Lead Consultant at Genpact - Headstrong
Jul 5, 2023
The product has been using the same GUI for many years.
Learn what your peers think about Wireshark. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: April 2026.
893,221 professionals have used our research since 2012.
PrathmeshShinde - PeerSpot reviewer
Teaching Assistant at University of Colorado Boulder
May 19, 2023
With Wireshark, you cannot download and utilize the packet in automation.
Heritier Daya - PeerSpot reviewer
Network Administrator at a financial services firm with 1,001-5,000 employees
Nov 6, 2023
You need some basic knowledge to work with Wireshark. Maybe it could be more user-friendly just for new users. Just for the new generation.
DeepakKumar - PeerSpot reviewer
Senior Lead Engineer at a wireless company with 10,001+ employees
Jul 7, 2022
This product needs to improve the UI.
Joel Ogbechie - PeerSpot reviewer
Cybersecurity Operations Lead at a tech services company with 51-200 employees
Oct 23, 2024
I have not used Wireshark to an advanced point where I could provide a detailed opinion on improvements needed.
reviewer2171574 - PeerSpot reviewer
Chief Technologist at a consumer goods company with 10,001+ employees
Nov 2, 2023
Wireshark could make the filtering rules easier to apply and offer a drag-and-drop option as opposed to type and text.
SanjeevKumar19 - PeerSpot reviewer
Technical Support Engineer at AlgoSec
Sep 27, 2023
The initial setup depends upon the basics. You need to have a clear understanding of the basics.
AdeelAgha - PeerSpot reviewer
Team Lead - Cyber Security & Compliance at Al Tuwairqi Group
Mar 3, 2023
Wireshark is restricted when any sort of encryption is involved, such as XSL encryption or DLX.