Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Npcap VS SolarWinds MSP Manager

Compare Npcap VS SolarWinds MSP Manager and see what are their differences

Npcap logo Npcap

Npcap is the Nmap Project's packet sniffing library for Windows.

SolarWinds MSP Manager logo SolarWinds MSP Manager

SolarWinds MSP Manager is the easy to use web-based help desk and billing software for IT service businesses.
  • Npcap Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-04-29
  • SolarWinds MSP Manager Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-28

Npcap features and specs

  • High Performance
    Npcap is designed to offer better performance compared to older packet capture libraries like WinPcap. It uses modern Windows APIs and techniques that can result in faster packet capture and transmission speeds.
  • Compatibility
    Npcap is compatible with both Windows 10 and Windows Server 2016 and later versions, making it a suitable choice for modern Windows environments.
  • Loopback Capture
    Npcap supports loopback packet capture, allowing users to capture traffic that is sent and received within the same machine. This feature is beneficial for debugging and monitoring local network activities.
  • Security
    Npcap operates in a more secure environment compared to some older packet capture tools. It adheres to modern Windows security guidelines, reducing the risk of vulnerabilities.
  • Support for NDIS 6
    Npcap supports Network Driver Interface Specification (NDIS) 6, which provides better performance, reliability, and power management over the older NDIS 5 used by WinPcap.

Possible disadvantages of Npcap

  • Limited to Windows
    Npcap is designed specifically for Windows operating systems, which means it is not available for other platforms like macOS or Linux.
  • Installation Complexity
    The installation process for Npcap can be more complex compared to other packet capture libraries, potentially requiring additional configuration and permissions.
  • Kernel-Level Access
    Npcap requires kernel-level access to capture packets, which can present security risks if not managed properly or if vulnerabilities are discovered in the tool.
  • Commercial Licensing
    While Npcap is available for free for personal use, commercial use requires a paid license. This can be a barrier for organizations with limited budgets.

SolarWinds MSP Manager features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    SolarWinds MSP Manager features an intuitive interface, making it straightforward for users to navigate and manage their tasks efficiently without a steep learning curve.
  • Ticket Management
    The platform offers robust ticket management capabilities, allowing MSPs to track, prioritize, and resolve customer issues effectively.
  • Integration Capabilities
    It integrates seamlessly with other tools and platforms, improving overall workflow and data synchronization across various services.
  • Mobile App
    The mobile application allows technicians to access the system and complete tasks on-the-go, enhancing flexibility and productivity.
  • Reporting Features
    Comprehensive reporting features enable detailed insights into business performance, helping MSPs make data-driven decisions.
  • Customer Management
    Efficient customer management tools help in maintaining and tracking client information, ensuring quality customer service.

Possible disadvantages of SolarWinds MSP Manager

  • Limited Customization
    Some users might find the customization options lacking, with limited scope to tailor the platform to specific business needs.
  • Price
    The cost of subscribing to SolarWinds MSP Manager can be prohibitive for smaller MSPs or those with tighter budgets.
  • Performance Issues
    There have been occasional reports of performance issues, such as slow loading times, which can affect productivity.
  • Learning Curve for Advanced Features
    While the basic interface is user-friendly, mastering more advanced features may require a learning period and potentially additional training.
  • Support Quality
    Some users have reported that customer support can be slow to respond and not always helpful in resolving complex issues.

Analysis of SolarWinds MSP Manager

Overall verdict

  • Overall, SolarWinds MSP Manager is considered a good choice for managed service providers looking for a comprehensive service management solution. It offers valuable features that help MSPs improve service delivery and customer satisfaction while optimizing their internal processes.

Why this product is good

  • SolarWinds MSP Manager, now part of N-able, is a cloud-based service management software focused on helping managed service providers (MSPs) deliver efficient and effective services to their clients. It is designed to streamline operations with features like trouble ticketing, customer management, billing, and reporting. The platform is appreciated for its user-friendly interface, integration capabilities, and mobile access, which enable technicians to work efficiently, both onsite and remotely.

Recommended for

  • Small to medium-sized managed service providers in need of a cloud-based management solution
  • MSPs looking to improve their service efficiency with integrated billing and ticketing systems
  • Service providers seeking a customizable and scalable platform with mobile access for field technicians

Npcap videos

Review on new released Nmap 7.80 at DefCon 2019 I 11 New NSE Scripts I Npcap

More videos:

SolarWinds MSP Manager videos

SolarWinds MSP Manager

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Npcap and SolarWinds MSP Manager)
Monitoring Tools
47 47%
53% 53
Security & Privacy
100 100%
0% 0
IT Management
0 0%
100% 100
Log Management
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Npcap seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 7 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Npcap mentions (7)

  • WireShark Unable to Load Npcap; Not Able to Capture Packets
    >Installed WireShark 3.6.3.0 >>Opening Yellow Banner displays "Unable to load Npcap or WinPcap (wpcap.dll); you will not be able to capture packets. In order to capture packets, Npcap or WinPcap must be installed. See https://npcap.com/ for a downloadable version of Npcap and for instructions on how to install it." >>>Npcap 1.55 and 1.60 both fail with the same errors when attempting the install process...... Source: over 3 years ago
  • what is this?...
    Https://nmap.org/npcap/ a.k.a. https://insecure.org/ (insecure.com redirects to this). Source: almost 4 years ago
  • Npcap loopback adaptor
    Npcap is a tool used to sniff and inject packets. It could be used for something nefarious, but it could also be used for NMAP, WireShark and various other networking tools. Source: about 4 years ago
  • Alternative method for recovering R7000
    2.5: install npcap (you dont need to open it just install it) https://nmap.org/npcap/ (Turn off wifi on pc or laptop). Source: over 4 years ago
  • Let's talk about must have applications that you can't live without! 2021 Edition
    Npcap (Free) - Gives PCem access to my PCs network card so I can go online with Windows 95. Source: over 4 years ago
View more

SolarWinds MSP Manager mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of SolarWinds MSP Manager yet. Tracking of SolarWinds MSP Manager recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Npcap and SolarWinds MSP Manager, you can also consider the following products

WinPcap - Industry-standard tool for link-layer network access in Windows.

Atera - Atera is reinventing the world of IT by harnessing AI to power our all-in-one Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM), Helpdesk, Ticketing, and automations platformโ€”streamlining organizational IT management at scale with our proprietary Action AIโ„ข.

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.

ManageEngine RMM Central - Unified Solution for network monitoring and endpoint management for MSPs

Win10Pcap - Win10Pcap is a WinPcap-based Ethernet packet capture library.

NinjaOne - NinjaOne (Formerly NinjaRMM) provides remote monitoring and management software that combines powerful functionality with a fast, modern UI. Easily remediate IT issues, automate common tasks, and support end-users with powerful IT management tools.