Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Fing VS tcpdump

Compare Fing VS tcpdump and see what are their differences

Fing logo Fing

Discover which devices are connected to any Wi-Fi network, map devices, detect intruders, assess...

tcpdump logo tcpdump

tcpdump is a common packet analyzer that runs under the command line.
  • Fing Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-26
  • tcpdump Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-04-27

Fing features and specs

  • Device Discovery
    Fing quickly identifies and lists all devices on a network, providing essential details like IP address, MAC address, and device type.
  • Network Security
    Helps detect intruders and unauthorized devices on your network, enhancing overall security.
  • Mobile and Desktop Support
    Available as both a mobile app and desktop application, offering flexibility in monitoring your network.
  • User-friendly Interface
    Features an intuitive and clean interface that makes it easy to navigate and use, even for non-technical users.
  • Comprehensive Reports
    Generates detailed reports on network performance, which can be useful for troubleshooting and optimization.
  • Speed Test Integration
    Includes tools to perform Internet speed tests to monitor and verify the performance of your internet connection.
  • Integration Capabilities
    Can be integrated with other smart home systems and networks, providing a holistic view of your home network environment.

Possible disadvantages of Fing

  • Limited Free Features
    The free version has limited functionalities, and many advanced features require a subscription.
  • Privacy Concerns
    As with any network monitoring tool, there are concerns about how data is handled and stored.
  • False Positives
    May occasionally report incorrect information about devices on the network, leading to potential confusion.
  • Learning Curve
    Some users, especially those less tech-savvy, may find it initially challenging to understand some features and functionalities.
  • Limited Technical Support
    Technical support options are somewhat limited, especially for users of the free version.
  • App Performance
    Some users report that the mobile app can be sluggish or crash when scanning larger networks.

tcpdump features and specs

  • Powerful packet capturing
    tcpdump offers comprehensive capabilities for capturing network packets, providing detailed insights into network traffic, which makes it a powerful tool for network diagnostics and analysis.
  • Wide compatibility
    Being a widely used tool, tcpdump is compatible with numerous operating systems, including Linux, Unix, and macOS, ensuring accessibility across different platforms.
  • Filter flexibility
    tcpdump supports a wide range of filtering options that allow users to capture specific types of traffic, ensuring efficient and targeted packet capture.
  • Command-line interface
    tcpdump is a command-line tool, which provides advanced users the ability to script and automate tasks, making it highly efficient for those familiar with command-line operations.
  • Free and open-source
    tcpdump is open-source software, which means it is freely available for use and can be modified and distributed by anyone, fostering a community of users and contributors.

Possible disadvantages of tcpdump

  • Steep learning curve
    For users unfamiliar with command-line interfaces and packet-level networking, tcpdump can be difficult to learn due to its complex commands and options.
  • Minimal graphical interface
    tcpdump lacks a graphical user interface (GUI), which can make it less accessible for users who prefer visual tools over text-based interfaces.
  • Limited analysis capability
    While tcpdump is excellent for capturing packets, it offers limited built-in analysis features, requiring additional tools for comprehensive analysis of captured data.
  • High resource usage
    Running tcpdump with extensive capture options or on high-traffic networks can result in significant CPU and memory usage, potentially impacting system performance.
  • Security risks
    tcpdump requires root or elevated privileges to capture packets, which could pose security risks if not managed correctly, especially on sensitive systems.

Analysis of Fing

Overall verdict

  • Fing is generally considered a good tool for those who need to monitor and manage their networks. It provides reliable and detailed network insights that can help in identifying and resolving network issues efficiently. However, its effectiveness largely depends on the user's specific needs and technical expertise.

Why this product is good

  • Fing (fing.io) is a network tool primarily used for network management and troubleshooting. It offers features like network scanning, device discovery, network speed testing, and more, which help users maintain and secure their home or business networks. Its user-friendly interface and comprehensive reporting tools make it a handy app for both technical and non-technical users.

Recommended for

    Fing is recommended for home users, IT professionals, and small to medium-sized businesses that need to monitor their network security and performance. It's particularly useful for users who want to keep track of all devices connected to their network and ensure optimal network functionality.

Fing videos

Fingbox Review: How does this Fing monitor WiFi?

More videos:

  • Review - Android App Review: Fing Network Tools
  • Review - Fing Network Tools Android App Review

tcpdump videos

Tcpdump - Protocol Review 5 (TCP)

More videos:

  • Review - Tcpdump - Protocol Review 3 (UDP)
  • Review - Tcpdump - Protocol Review 4 (DNS) - Draft

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Fing and tcpdump)
Monitoring Tools
60 60%
40% 40
Security
100 100%
0% 0
Log Management
26 26%
74% 74
Network Scanning
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Fing and tcpdump

Fing Reviews

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tcpdump Reviews

6 Best Wireshark Alternatives for Windows and macOS
The quickness that you can have with tcpdump over Wireshark is awesome. It is one of those tools that many network administrators prefer whenever they need to take a look at the actual network packets that are being transmitted. The Tcpdump is not as feature rich as Wireshark but the output of its packet dump can be used as input by other programs. Moreover, It can be used...
Source: techwiser.com

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Fing and tcpdump, you can also consider the following products

Nmap - Nmap Free Security Scanner, Port Scanner, & Network Exploration Tool. Download open source software for Linux, Windows, UNIX, FreeBSD, etc.

Wireshark - Wireshark is a network protocol analyzer for Unix and Windows. It lets you capture and interactively browse the traffic running on a computer network.

Angry IP Scanner - Open-source and cross-platform network scanner designed to be fast and simple to use

Ettercap - Ettercap is a suite for man in the middle attacks on LAN.

Advanced IP Scanner - Advanced IP Scanner shows all network devices, gives you access to shared folders, and can even remotely switch computers off. Download it Free.

SmartSniff - SmartSniff is a packet sniffer that capture TCP/IP packets and display them as sequence of conversations between clients and servers.