Overview

NETCAP is a network analysis tool for security researchers, analysts, and teams that need to turn packet traffic into structured records. Its strongest fit is a workflow that spans capture or PCAP processing and downstream analysis; users who only need a free packet analyzer may find its Pro investigation layer unnecessary.

Core combines broad protocol-record coverage with flexible output, while Pro adds interactive investigation tools and AI-assisted reporting. That makes NETCAP more than a capture utility, but the paid tier is a one-seat subscription and a substantial step up from its free CLI.

Key features

Core handles live traffic and saved PCAP files, with distributed collection and HTTP proxy capture for broader capture workflows. It recognizes 66+ audit record types across protocols including TCP, UDP, HTTP, TLS, DNS, and DHCP. This structured output is useful when packet data needs to feed analysis or monitoring rather than remain a raw capture.

Export options include Protocol Buffers, CSV, JSON streams, and Prometheus metrics, giving teams several routes into their existing data workflows. Core also includes a Maltego transformation plugin. Pro adds handoffs or integrations with Wireshark, Metasploit, hashcat, John, and BetterCrack, plus interactive graph analysis, a network activity timeline, investigation notes, and more than 35 analysis modules. These tools suit investigations that benefit from connecting activity and documenting findings; they are less compelling for users who only need command-line capture and record export.

Pro can flag anomalies in decoded traffic and draft incident reports for users to edit before export. The download page says Pro analyzes captures locally, without an upload step, which suits work where keeping captures on the user's machine matters. Core is GPL-3.0, and proprietary use requires a separate commercial license with negotiable terms.

Pricing

Core: Free forever, open-source CLI, 66+ audit record types, and community support. It is the practical starting point for users comfortable with a command line who do not need Pro's investigation tools. Core gives up Pro's analysis modules, AI features, and email support.

Pro: 548.00 USD per month, with a billed €48/year option also shown. It includes one seat, email support, and a 14-day free trial without a credit card. Subscriptions can be canceled at any time, with access continuing through the billing period. Pro fits an individual investigator who needs the added analysis interface, but the one-seat limit makes it a poor match for a team seeking shared seats.

Enterprise: Custom pricing, unlimited team seats, priority support with an SLA, custom integrations, and volume licensing. It is aimed at organizations needing team access or tailored integration rather than a fixed one-seat plan.

The maker also offers a commercial license for proprietary use on negotiable terms. Pro is offered for macOS, Windows, and Linux; Core provides binaries for those platforms and Docker images.

Platforms

NETCAP supports Linux, macOS, Windows, web, and self-hosted deployment. Pro desktop downloads list macOS 14 or later, Windows 10/11 64-bit, and Debian or Ubuntu amd64 builds. Core is available as CLI binaries and Docker images for the named desktop platforms.

Who it's for

NETCAP makes the most sense for security and network teams that want structured records from live or saved traffic and may need a richer investigation workflow. Its free Core tier is a credible fit for technically comfortable users building capture and export pipelines. Individuals who need interactive analysis can step up to Pro; teams needing multiple seats and an SLA should consider Enterprise. Readers seeking only a free, focused packet-capture tool may be better served elsewhere.

Pros and cons

Pro: Core combines live capture, PCAP processing, and distributed collection with 66+ audit record types, supporting both active and retrospective analysis.
Pro: Four output formats, including Prometheus metrics and structured data formats, help connect records to varied downstream workflows.
Pro: Pro brings graph analysis, a timeline, notes, and more than 35 modules together with anomaly flags and editable report drafts.
Con: Pro is limited to one seat at the stated plan level, so teams must look to custom-priced Enterprise for unlimited seats.
Con: The paid plan's monthly price is a major commitment for users who only need Core's capture and record conversion.
Con: Pro desktop downloads require relatively specific operating-system builds, including macOS 14 or later and Debian or Ubuntu amd64.

Alternatives

For a free, open-source Python option, choose Scapy, which is GPLv2 and requires Python 3.7 or later. Sniffnet is another fully free, open-source choice under MIT or Apache-2.0 for Linux, macOS, and Windows. Choose tcpdump for free BSD-licensed capture, bearing in mind that capture permission depends on the operating system and configuration.

Wireshark is free with no license fee, while TShark is a free GPL v2 option from the Wireshark project. NetworkMiner offers a free edition and GPLv2 open-source code written in managed C# on .NET Framework. Xplico is free software with no data-entry or input-file count limit; hard-drive size is its stated limit. PacketSafari is a freemium alternative with a free plan and no free trial.

Explore more options in Network Packet Analyzer Software and Network Protocol Analyzers.

Verdict

Choose NETCAP if you need packet capture to lead into structured records and, potentially, a full investigation workflow: Core supplies a capable free foundation, while Pro adds analysis and reporting tools. Look elsewhere if your priority is a free packet analyzer or if a one-seat Pro plan does not fit your team; Enterprise is custom priced.

	EtherApe	NETCAP
Free plan	Yes	Yes
Free trial	No	Yes
Paid from	Free	$548/mo
Open source	No	No
Platforms	Linux	Linux, macOS, self-hosted, Web, Windows
Free plan	Yes	Yes

EtherApe vs NETCAP

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