Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

tcpdump VS CloudShark

Compare tcpdump VS CloudShark and see what are their differences

tcpdump logo tcpdump

tcpdump is a common packet analyzer that runs under the command line.

CloudShark logo CloudShark

CloudShark is a browser-based threat assessment tool.
  • tcpdump Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-04-27
  • CloudShark Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-26

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.

CloudShark features and specs

  • Ease of Use
    CloudShark offers a user-friendly interface that makes it easy for users to upload, analyze, and share packet captures directly through a web browser, eliminating the need for complex desktop software.
  • Accessibility
    Being a cloud-based solution, CloudShark allows access to packet capture files from anywhere with internet connectivity, facilitating remote analysis and collaboration.
  • Collaboration Features
    CloudShark provides collaboration features that enable multiple users to review and analyze packet data together, offering capabilities like shared annotations and comments.
  • Security
    CloudShark emphasizes security with encrypted file uploads and secure sharing options, ensuring that sensitive packet data is protected.

Possible disadvantages of CloudShark

  • Subscription Costs
    While CloudShark provides powerful tools online, it requires a paid subscription for full access, which may be a downside for users or organizations with limited budgets.
  • Internet Dependency
    Being an online platform, CloudShark relies on a stable internet connection for access and analysis, which can be a limitation in areas with poor connectivity.
  • Storage Limitations
    Depending on the subscription plan, there may be limitations on the amount of data that can be stored or uploaded to the CloudShark platform.
  • Feature Set Limitations
    While CloudShark offers many features for packet analysis, it may not have the full breadth of capabilities found in some advanced desktop-based packet analysis tools.

tcpdump videos

Tcpdump - Protocol Review 5 (TCP)

More videos:

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

CloudShark videos

Wireshark 101: CloudShark Review - HakTip 144

More videos:

  • Review - CloudShark Basics Tips and Tricks
  • Review - Using CloudShark for your coursework

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to tcpdump and CloudShark)
Monitoring Tools
78 78%
22% 22
Log Management
78 78%
22% 22
Productivity
86 86%
14% 14
Security
63 63%
37% 37

User comments

Share your experience with using tcpdump and CloudShark. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
Log in or Post with

Reviews

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

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

CloudShark Reviews

6 Best Wireshark Alternatives for Windows and macOS
In my view, this the best alternative for Wireshark which helps to analyze and view packet captures taken on the dashboard. Right after installing Cloudshark on your Mac or window, you will have the option to output your packet captures to the tool. By arranging a platform to collaborate with your colleagues and customers, CloudShark lets you have a control over the network....
Source: techwiser.com

What are some alternatives?

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

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.

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

PCAPdroid - PCAPdroid is an android app to capture the phone traffic and analyze it remotely (e.g. via Wireshark). The traffic can be easily downloaded from a remote device thanks to the integrated HTTP server, or streamed to a remote UDP receiver.

netcat - Netcat is a featured networking utility which reads and writes data across network connections...

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

NetworkMiner - NetworkMiner is a Network Forensic Analysis Tool (NFAT) for Windows.