Wireshark is the most popular network packet analyzer that lets you see network traffic going out and coming into all computers in the network. So, you can see anything on your network that’s not encrypted. The only problem is that Wireshark is not available for Android. While most people now prefer an Android phone over a computer for accessing the internet and doing most of the work, Wireshark for Android is in demand. Unfortunately, you have to use the available alternatives.
Before I tell you the best Wireshark alternatives, you should know that these apps require root access. Without root, you can just monitor traffic from your device. If you want to use these apps, you need to first root your phone.
Best Wireshark Alternatives for Android
Here are the best Wireshark alternatives for Android.
1. zAnti (Requires ROOT)
The zAnti is a powerful penetration testing tool for Android devices. It is used for network testing and can work as a network sniffer. It can modify HTTP requests, exploit routers, hijack HTTP sessions, change MAC address and more. You can use this app for performing network testing and other kinds of tests. Security persons use this app to find vulnerabilities in a network.
This app is specifically designed for professionals and requires root access to work. The app is free to download but it requires to enter your email address to download.
2. cSploit (Requires ROOT)
cSploit is similar to zAnti. It is also. penetration testing tool for advanced users for testing networks. You can also see this app as Metasploit for Android. You can use it to see host systems’ fingerprints, map the local network, perform MITM (man in the middle) attacks, built-in traceroute functionality, ability to add your own hosts, create or forge TCP and/or UDP packets, and more. It lets you perform real-time traffic manipulation, traffic redirection, breaking connections, DNS spoofing, and session hijacking.
cSploit is an open source available for free. The app is in active development and they are actively adding more features.
3. Packet Capture
Unlike zAnti and cSploit, this is not a full-fledged penetration testing tool but it can capture and record network packets. With this app, you can also decrypt SSL communication using MITM (man in the middle) attack. It uses a local VPN to record your traffic and does not require any root permission. This is the reason, it is available on the Play Store.
If you want to capture HTTPS traffic, you need to install the SSL certificate. Do that if you require it. You can always change the settings with available options in the settings menu.
The app is available for free with ads.
4. tPacketCapture
tPacketCapture is to capture & record network packets and decrypt SSL communication using MITM. The app runs without any root permissions. It also uses a local VPN to capture and record all your traffic. This app is for those who want a simple app to capture network packets. Captured data are saved as a PCAP file format
If you want to analyze data on your PC, you need a software that can read PCAP data.
This app is also free but comes with ads.
5. Nmap
Nmap has been a popular open-source network scanning tool for a long time. Now it is also available as an App for Android devices. Nmap for Android works fine on both rooted and non-rooted Android devices. It is now available on Play Store, but you can download it from its official website. You also need a few commands to install it on your phone. A detailed guide to installation is available on the official website.
Final Words
Along with these three apps, WiFinspect, and Debug Proxy are also notable apps for Android devices that can work similarly to Wireshark. You can use these apps to analyze the network traffic and see what is going on in your network. If you were looking for the best Wireshark alternate for Android, you have the list of the best apps.
If you know of any similar app, you can always let us know using the comment section.
