Wireshark vs Ettercap: Which Sniffing & Spoofing tool is Best in 2025?

Wireshark is an open-source, free network protocol analyzer widely regarded as the industry standard for capturing and analyzing network traffic in real time. Used by network administrators, cybersecurity professionals, and ethical hackers, Wireshark enables deep packet inspection, troubleshooting, and protocol analysis across various network types, including Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. Its robust feature set and user-friendly interface make it an essential tool for monitoring network performance, detecting vulnerabilities, and ensuring robust network security.

Ettercap is a powerful, open-source network security tool designed for man-in-the-middle (MITM) attacks, network traffic analysis, and protocol manipulation. Ettercap is pre-installed on Kali Linux, it is a favorite among ethical hackers, cybersecurity professionals, and penetration testers for its ability to intercept, analyze, and modify network packets in real time. With support for active and passive protocol dissection, Ettercap enables users to perform advanced network security assessments, test network vulnerabilities, and conduct ethical hacking exercises.