Enhance your network packet capturing with Npcap from Nmap Project!
Npcap is a reliable packet capturing tool that provides advanced features for network security professionals.
Npcap is an advanced packet capturing and network sniffing software tool created by the Nmap Project. It is a lightweight yet powerful platform that offers users the ability to perform real-time network traffic analysis and monitoring on Windows operating systems.
Npcap provides users with numerous features, including the ability to capture and analyze network packets in real-time, filter captured traffic, support for loopback capture, and ability to capture and playback packet traces without affecting the network’s operation.
Additionally, Npcap supports various network protocols, such as Ethernet, ARP, TCP, UDP, and ICMP. Moreover, Npcap can coexist with other packet capturing tools on a system which makes it a more flexible solution for network administrators.
The software tool uses WinPcap-compatible API and driver to ensure portability across different Windows versions. In summary, Npcap is a reliable platform suitable for users who need real-time network traffic analysis, network debugging or malware analysis.
- Pros:
- - Lightweight packet capturing and network sniffing software
- - Supports various network protocols like TCP, UDP, ICMP etc.
- - Capable of filtering captured traffic to reduce false positives
- - Supports loopback capture without interfering with the system
- Cons:
- - Only available for Windows operating system
- - No support for non-IP protocols like IPX and NetBEUI
Overview
Npcap is a Shareware software in the category Miscellaneous developed by Nmap Project.
The users of our client application UpdateStar have checked Npcap for updates 8,074 times during the last month.
The latest version of Npcap is 1.81, released on 03/24/2025. It was initially added to our database on 09/24/2016. The most prevalent version is 1.79, which is used by 31% of all installations.
Npcap runs on the following operating systems: Windows/Mac. The download file has a size of 0.8MB.
Npcap has not been rated by our users yet.
Pros
- Provides network packet capturing functionality for Windows systems
- Supports loopback traffic capturing
- Offers command line and graphical user interface tools for capture and analysis
- Compatible with Wireshark and other network analysis tools
- Frequent updates and active development by Nmap Project
Cons
- Might be intimidating for users unfamiliar with network protocols and packet analysis
- Requires basic understanding of networking concepts to utilize effectively
- Some users might experience compatibility issues with certain network adapters or configurations
FAQ
What is Npcap?
Npcap is a packet sniffing library for Windows operating systems that provides support for raw 802.11 Wi-Fi capturing as well as traditional Ethernet-based network traffic capturing.
What are the requirements to run Npcap?
Npcap requires a Windows operating system. The supported versions include Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, Windows 10, and Windows Server 2008 through to Windows Server 2019.
Who maintains Npcap?
Npcap is maintained by the Nmap Project. The Nmap Project is a community of developers who contribute to the development of Nmap, a popular network exploration and security auditing tool.
Is Npcap free to use?
Yes, Npcap is free and open-source software that is released under the MIT License.
What features does Npcap have?
Npcap provides several features including:
What is the difference between Npcap and WinPcap?
Npcap is a fork of WinPcap, a packet sniffing library that is no longer actively maintained. Npcap is actively maintained and provides additional features that are not available in WinPcap.
Does Npcap work with Wireshark?
Yes, Wireshark is compatible with Npcap. In fact, Wireshark for Windows comes bundled with Npcap as the default packet capturing library.
Can I use Npcap in my commercial application?
Yes, you can use Npcap in commercial applications. However, it is important to note that Npcap is released under the MIT license, which requires that all copies or substantial portions of the software include the original copyright and license notice.
How do I install Npcap?
Npcap can be downloaded from the official Nmap website. The installation process varies depending on your operating system but generally involves running an executable file and following the on-screen instructions.
How can I contribute to Npcap development?
Contributions to Npcap development can be made through the Nmap Project's GitHub repository. Contributions can be in the form of bug reports, feature requests, or code contributions.
David Fischer
I am a technology writer for UpdateStar, covering software, security, and privacy as well as research and innovation in information security. I worked as an editor for German computer magazines for more than a decade before joining the UpdateStar team. With over a decade of editorial experience in the tech industry, I bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to my current role at UpdateStar. At UpdateStar, I focus on the critical areas of software, security, and privacy, ensuring our readers stay informed about the latest developments and best practices.
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