Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

netcat

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

Some of the top features or benefits of netcat are: Versatility, Simplicity, Speed, Scriptability, and Cross-Platform. You can visit the info page to learn more.

Best netcat Alternatives & Competitors in 2025

The best netcat alternatives based on verified products, community votes, reviews and other factors.
Filter: 12 Open-Source Alternatives. Latest update:

  1. 36

    Wireshark is a network protocol analyzer for Unix and Windows. It lets you capture and interactively browse the traffic running on a computer network.

    Key Wireshark features:

    Comprehensive Protocol Support Free and Open-Source Cross-Platform Compatibility Rich Feature Set

    Open Source

    /wireshark-alternatives
  2. 33

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

    Key tcpdump features:

    Powerful packet capturing Wide compatibility Filter flexibility Command-line interface

    Open Source

    /tcpdump-alternatives
  3. The #1 monitoring employee software for clear insights into how your team works. Get real-time and historical data. Understand productivity at every level.

    Key Insightful.io features:

    Productivity Time Tracking Time & Attendance Tracking Monitoring

    Try for free paid Free Trial $6.4 / Annually (per employee per month (billed annualy))

    Try for free
  4. 38

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

    Key Ettercap features:

    Comprehensive Network Sniffing Wide Platform Support Rich Feature Set Open Source

    /ettercap-alternatives
  5. 35

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

    Key SmartSniff features:

    Freeware User-Friendly Interface Passive Mode Operation Supports Multiple Protocols

    /smartsniff-alternatives
  6. 23

    socat is a relay for bidirectional data transfer between two independent data channels.

    Key socat features:

    Versatility Portability Wide Protocol Support Advanced Features

    /socat-alternatives
  7. 17

    Packet Sender can send and receive UDP, TCP, and SSL on the ports of your choosing.

    Key Packet Sender features:

    Open Source Cross-Platform Compatibility User-Friendly Interface Versatile Functionality

    /packet-sender-alternatives
  8. 30

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

    Key NetworkMiner features:

    User-Friendly Interface Passive Network Sniffing Detailed Forensic Analysis Cross-Platform Compatibility

    /networkminer-alternatives
  9. 14

    Do you need to map a specific TCP or UDP port on your machine to another port on another machine?

    Key PortMapper features:

    Freeware User-Friendly Interface Lightweight Simple Configuration

    /portmapper-alternatives
  10. 13

    Portfwd, Port Forwarding Daemon, stands for port forwarding daemon.

    Key Portfwd features:

    Open Source Port Forwarding Versatility Lightweight

    /portfwd-alternatives
  11. 14

    Free open source tool to perform TCP based session relay.

    Key Komodia Relay features:

    Easy Integration Efficient Data Handling Comprehensive Control Enhanced Security Features

    /komodia-relay-alternatives
  12. 15

    TheCodingMonkeys, authors of software like SubEthaEdit.

    Key Port Map features:

    User-Friendly Interface macOS Compatibility Automatic UPnP/NAT-PMP Support

    /port-map-alternatives
  13. 16

    pwncat - netcat on steroids with Firewall, IDS/IPS evasion, bind and reverse shell, self-injecting shell and port forwarding magic - and its fully scriptable with Python (PSE).

    Key pwncat features:

    Versatile Automation Compatibility Open Source

    /pwncat-alternatives
  14. 19

    Debookee is the simplest & most powerful network traffic analyzer for macOS.

    Key Debookee features:

    User-Friendly Interface Comprehensive Network Analysis Multi-Protocol Support Real-time Monitoring

    /debookee-alternatives
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