Top Nethogs Alternatives: Monitor Your Network Like a Pro
NetHogs is a powerful and intuitive 'net top' tool that excels at grouping bandwidth by process, making it incredibly easy to identify which applications are hogging your network. Its reliance on /proc means it's a Linux-only solution, and while excellent for quick identification of rogue processes, users on other operating systems or those needing more advanced features often seek robust Nethogs alternative options. This article explores some of the best tools available to help you keep a close eye on your network traffic, regardless of your operating system or specific needs.
Best Nethogs Alternatives
Whether you're a system administrator, a developer, or just someone looking to troubleshoot slow internet, these Nethogs alternatives offer a diverse range of features, from detailed packet analysis to user-friendly network monitoring. Dive in to find the perfect tool for your network.
Wireshark
Wireshark is the world's foremost network protocol analyzer, offering unparalleled detailed packet analysis and network monitoring capabilities. Available across Free, Open Source, Mac, Windows, Linux, and BSD platforms, it's a powerful Nethogs alternative for deep dives into network traffic, allowing you to capture and interactively browse data with features like support for Android Things and network usage history.
iftop
iftop provides a real-time display of network usage, similar to how 'top' shows CPU usage. As a Free and Open Source tool for Linux, iftop is a fantastic lightweight Nethogs alternative for quickly visualizing bandwidth usage on a specific interface, making it easy to see which hosts are using the most network activity.
SmartSniff
SmartSniff is a Free, Portable packet sniffer for Windows that captures TCP/IP packets and displays them as a sequence of conversations between clients and servers. It's a great Nethogs alternative for Windows users who need a straightforward way to view TCP/IP traffic and understand network communication at a session level.
NetworkMiner
NetworkMiner is a Free and Open Source Network Forensic Analysis Tool (NFAT) available for Mac, Windows, and Linux. It stands out as a Nethogs alternative by allowing users to parse PCAP files and reassemble transmitted files and certificates, making it invaluable for security analysis, network monitoring, and forensics tasks.
trafficWatcher
trafficWatcher is a Free and Open Source portable tool for Windows designed to monitor network activity, uniquely differentiating between LAN and external traffic. This makes it a practical Nethogs alternative for Windows users who need a clear distinction of their network usage for both local and internet connections.
Bandwidth Manager
SoftPerfect Bandwidth Manager is a Commercial, full-featured traffic management tool for Windows. While Nethogs focuses on process-based monitoring, Bandwidth Manager provides cost-effective bandwidth control and quality of service (QoS) features, making it a robust Nethogs alternative for environments requiring comprehensive traffic shaping and management.
NetPeeker
NetPeeker is a Commercial network tool set for Windows that combines application monitoring, a personal firewall, and network speed limiting. It offers a broader range of functionalities than Nethogs, making it a versatile Nethogs alternative for users who need an integrated solution for network control and security, including peer-to-peer traffic management.
Pirni Pro
Pirni Pro is a Commercial network security tool designed specifically for iOS devices, including iPhone and iPod Touch. This Nethogs alternative is capable of intercepting traffic on a wireless network, offering features like filtering and support for regular expressions, though it does require a jailbroken device for full functionality.
Throttled Pro
Throttled Pro is a Commercial application for Mac that optimizes internet connections and provides Quality of Service (QoS) to macOS. Unlike Nethogs' focus on identification, Throttled Pro actively enhances network performance through ACK packet prioritization and PRIQ priority queuing, making it a valuable Nethogs alternative for Mac users seeking better network control and optimization.
Each of these Nethogs alternatives brings unique strengths to the table, from deep packet analysis to real-time bandwidth monitoring and even full-fledged network management. Consider your operating system, your specific network monitoring needs, and your budget to choose the best tool that fits your requirements and helps you take control of your network traffic.