Side by side
Airtool Pi vs tcpdump
Both stand on network packet capture software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Paid iPhoneMac
Choose Airtool Pi if you need remote Wi-Fi packet capture controlled from an iPhone or iPad, with configurable settings and PcapNG files for analyzer tools. Look elsewhere if you need offline trace analysis or do not have a compatible Linux sensor or endpoint.
Visit Airtool Pi Free plan LinuxMacWindows
tcpdump offers free packet capture across a broad set of listed systems, with source builds available. Check capture permissions and handle access carefully because captured traffic may include passwords.
Visit tcpdumpThe facts
| Airtool Pi | tcpdump | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | No | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | iPhone, Mac | Linux, Mac, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Airtool Pi: $14.99, paid once | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | intuitibits.com | tcpdump.org |
| On network packet capture software | #14 of 22 | #10 of 22 |
Airtool Pi: what it does well
- Remote capture starts through SSH connections to Linux-based sensors or endpoints.
- Choose bands, channels, widths, and capture-size limits.
- Capture simultaneously on up to four channels with compatible adapters.
- Save PcapNG captures locally and share them with Wireshark.
- Payloads can be discarded to save space or protect privacy.
What to know first
- Requires iOS 18.6 or iPadOS 18.6 or later.
- The app does not provide offline trace analysis.
- Capture requires a Linux sensor or compatible Linux endpoint.
tcpdump: what it does well
- Free software with source available through a public Git repository.
- Uses libpcap for packet capture.
- Project lists multiple operating systems, including Windows.
- PCAP support and command-line tools are listed.
What to know first
- Capture permission depends on operating system and configuration.
- Windows builds require additional tools and libraries.
- Native packages may lag behind newer snapshots.
- Permitted capture can include network traffic such as passwords.
Alternatives to Airtool Pi Alternatives to tcpdump The whole list