Software · head to head
Burp Suite vs Wireshark
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Burp Suite the automated vulnerability scanner is Professional only, at $499; the free Community edition is manual tools; Wireshark free and open source under the GNU GPL; downloadable without paying any license fee, no commercial tier
- They diverge on capability: Burp Suite covers Web vulnerability scanner, Wireshark covers Deep packet inspection.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Burp Suite and Wireshark actually diverge.
| Attribute | Burp Suite | Wireshark |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | subscription | free |
| Platforms | Desktop, Api | Desktop, Cli |
| Founded | 2004 | 1998 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Burp Suite
- Web vulnerability scanner
- Proxy interceptor
- Intruder
- Repeater
- Sequencer
- Decoder
- Comparer
- Logger
Only in Wireshark
- Deep packet inspection
- Live capture
- Offline analysis
- 3000+ protocol support
- Rich display filters
- VoIP analysis
- Decryption support
- Scripting with Lua
Both cover
- On-premise deployment
- Desktop support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Burp Suite
- Manual web application penetration testing through an intercepting proxynot Wireshark
- Automated scanning for web vulnerabilities on the Professional editionnot Wireshark
- Extending testing with community-built BApp extensionsnot Wireshark
- Enterprise-wide dynamic scanning through Burp DASTnot Wireshark
Wireshark
- Network Securitynot Burp Suite
- Packet Analysisnot Burp Suite
- Open Sourcenot Burp Suite
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Burp Suite
- The automated vulnerability scanner is Professional only, at $499; the free Community edition is manual tools
- BApp Store extensions require the Professional edition
- DAST and the agentic testing product are separate enterprise offerings with no published price
- Professional is licensed per user per year rather than perpetually
Wireshark
- Free and open source under the GNU GPL; downloadable without paying any license fee, no commercial tier
Pricing, plan by plan
Burp Suite
Free- Community EditionFree
- Essential manual tools
- Proxy
- Repeater
- Professional$449/year
- All Community features
- Burp Scanner
- Advanced manual tools
- Enterprise$6995/year
- CI/CD integration
- Scheduled scans
- Role-based access
Wireshark
Free- Free & Open SourceFree
- Full functionality
- Deep inspection
- Live capture
Which should you pick?
Choose Burp Suite if
- You need web vulnerability scanner.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Desktop, Api.
- You also want proxy interceptor.
Choose Wireshark if
- You need deep packet inspection.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Desktop, Cli.
- You also want live capture.
Questions people ask
- Is Burp Suite or Wireshark better?
- Neither clearly leads. Burp Suite starts at Free and Wireshark at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Burp Suite or Wireshark?
- Burp Suite starts at Free and Wireshark at Free.
- Does Burp Suite or Wireshark run on more platforms?
- Burp Suite runs on Desktop, Api. Wireshark runs on Desktop, Cli.
- Can I use Burp Suite for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Burp Suite best used for?
- Burp Suite is most often used for manual web application penetration testing through an intercepting proxy, automated scanning for web vulnerabilities on the professional edition, extending testing with community-built bapp extensions, enterprise-wide dynamic scanning through burp dast. Of those, manual web application penetration testing through an intercepting proxy and automated scanning for web vulnerabilities on the professional edition are not what Wireshark is typically brought in for.
- What can Burp Suite do that Wireshark cannot?
- Burp Suite covers Web vulnerability scanner, Proxy interceptor, Intruder, Repeater. Wireshark covers Deep packet inspection, Live capture, Offline analysis, 3000+ protocol support. Both handle On-premise deployment, Desktop support.
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