Software Alternatives & Startups

Kismet VS PingPlotter

Compare Kismet VS PingPlotter and see what are their differences

Kismet

Kismet is an 802.11 layer2 wireless network detector, sniffer, and intrusion detection system.

Rating
0 reviews
PingPlotter

PingPlotter is a troubleshooting tool that helps IT professionals and neophytes identify, diagnose, and resolve network issues.

Rating
0 reviews

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, PingPlotter seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 2 times since March 2021.

social mentions
0 vs 2
Monitoring Tools popularity
44% vs 56%
alternatives listed
104 vs 89

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

Kismet
PingPlotter
Website kismetwireless.net pingman.com
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Kismet 5 features
PingPlotter 5 features
  • Open Source
    Kismet is open-source software, allowing users to examine the source code, customize the tool according to their needs, and contribute to its development.
  • Platform Compatibility
    Kismet works on various platforms, including Linux, macOS, and Windows (through WSL), making it versatile and accessible to a wide range of users.
  • Wireless Network Detection
    Kismet can detect and capture traffic from a variety of wireless networks (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc.), making it useful for network monitoring and security auditing.
  • Passive Sniffing
    Kismet is capable of passive sniffing, allowing it to detect networks and devices without emitting any signals that might alert the target.
  • Extensive Plugin Support
    Kismet supports plugins and external tools, enabling users to extend its functionality and integrate it with other network security tools.

Possible disadvantages

  • Steep Learning Curve
    Kismet can be complex to set up and use, particularly for those who are not familiar with networking and wireless security concepts.
  • Limited Windows Support
    While Kismet can be used on Windows via the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), it is primarily designed for Unix-based systems, which may limit its usability on Windows.
  • Hardware Dependency
    Kismet requires compatible wireless network adapters to function properly, which might necessitate additional hardware purchases.
  • Potential Legal Issues
    Using Kismet for unauthorized network monitoring can be illegal in many jurisdictions. Users must ensure they have permission to monitor the networks they are testing.
  • Resource Intensive
    Running Kismet can be resource-intensive, particularly on devices with limited processing power or memory, potentially affecting system performance.
  • Detailed Network Diagnostics
    PingPlotter provides advanced network diagnostics by visualizing latency and packet loss over time, helping identify problematic areas in the network.
  • Historical Data
    The tool allows users to save and review historical data, which is invaluable for troubleshooting intermittent network issues that are not easily reproducible.
  • Ease of Use
    PingPlotter offers an easy-to-use interface that makes it accessible even for users who aren't network experts, allowing them to quickly start diagnosing issues.
  • Customizable Alerts
    Users can set up customizable alerts to notify them when latency or packet loss exceeds certain thresholds, providing timely insights into network performance issues.
  • Multi-Platform Support
    PingPlotter is available on Windows, Mac, and iOS, which offers flexibility for different types of users and environments.

Possible disadvantages

  • Cost
    PingPlotter is not free, and the cost can be prohibitive for individuals or small businesses, especially for the Pro version which offers more advanced features.
  • Resource Intensive
    Running PingPlotter for extended periods can consume significant system resources, which might be a concern for users with lower-end hardware.
  • Limited Free Version
    The free version of PingPlotter has limited functionality, which may not be sufficient for diagnosing more complex network issues.
  • Learning Curve
    While the basic functions are user-friendly, some of the more advanced features and data interpretation can have a learning curve, requiring users to invest time to fully utilize the tool.
  • No Linux Support
    PingPlotter does not support Linux, which can be a drawback for network administrators working in a Linux-dominated environment.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

Kismet
PingPlotter

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Kismet (kismetwireless.net) is generally considered a good tool for network monitoring and wireless security auditing.

Why this product is good

  • Open source
    Kismet is an open-source tool, which means it's freely available and can be modified to suit specific needs.
  • Community support
    The tool has a robust community and support base, ensuring regular updates and improvements.
  • Comprehensive features
    It offers a wide range of features for wireless network monitoring, including packet sniffing, device tracking, and intrusion detection.
  • Multi-platform support
    Kismet is compatible with multiple platforms, including Linux, macOS, and Windows, making it accessible to a broad range of users.

Recommended for

  • Network administrators
  • Security professionals
  • Wireless network enthusiasts
  • Penetration testers

Overall verdict

  • PingPlotter is generally regarded as a good choice for network monitoring and troubleshooting, especially for users who need detailed visibility into the performance and health of their network connections.

Why this product is good

  • PingPlotter is considered a reliable network monitoring tool because it provides detailed insights into network performance and helps identify the location and nature of connectivity issues. It offers a user-friendly interface with comprehensive graphical representations of network data, making it easier to diagnose problems. Additionally, it supports both live monitoring and historical data analysis, which is beneficial for ongoing network management.

Recommended for

    PingPlotter is recommended for IT professionals, network administrators, and any users who need to maintain network reliability and optimal performance. It is also suitable for remote workers experiencing connectivity issues and gamers who require low-latency connections.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Kismet 3 videos + Add
PingPlotter 3 videos + Add

KISMET PURE VITAMIN C PRIMER REVIEW

More videos

  • - Kismet - 2 Minute Review
  • - Newton Kismet Main Review

Analyzing PingPlotter Data

More videos

  • - Use PingPlotter to identify poor QoS or intermittent connectivity issues.
  • - How to Use PingPlotter to Dignose Server Network Issues

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
Kismet
PingPlotter
44% 44%
56% 56%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
SSH
100% 100%
48% 48%
52% 52%

User comments

Share your experience with using Kismet and PingPlotter. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

Log in or Post with

Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

Kismet no reviews yet
PingPlotter no reviews yet

We have no reviews of PingPlotter yet. Be the first one to post

Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

Kismet 0 mentions
PingPlotter 2 mentions

Tracking Kismet since Mar 2021.

  • Understanding missed attestations, understanding low effectiveness and improving your setup
    Once you have those in place, there is little more you can do to help. There might be some marginal benefits in connecting with more peers at the cost of higher resources usage, especially bandwidth. Under normal circumstances, the... Source: about 4 years ago
  • Packet Loss with PingPlotter
    I'm attempting to use PingPlotter to find the problem but I'm fairly new with it - The Packet Loss is occurring on IP 192.168.1.1 while testing 8.8.8.8, pingman.com, google.com, akamai.com however it does not show any PL for www.google.com. Source: almost 5 years ago

Alternatives to Kismet and PingPlotter

When comparing Kismet and PingPlotter, you can also consider the following products.