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Cybersecurity · head to head

Check Point Software vs Wireshark

Check Point Software logo

Check Point Software

Cybersecurity

AI Transforms the Network. We Transform the Firewall.

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Wireshark logo

Wireshark

Cybersecurity

The world's foremost network protocol analyzer

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Wireshark has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Check Point Software no pricing published; directed to contact sales or find a partner; Wireshark free and open source under the GNU GPL; downloadable without paying any license fee, no commercial tier
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Check Point Software and Wireshark actually diverge.

Attributes where Check Point Software and Wireshark differ
AttributeCheck Point SoftwareWireshark
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelquotefree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWebDesktop, Cli
FoundedUnknown1998

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Cybersecurity).

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 Check Point Software

Nothing recorded that Wireshark does not also cover.

Only in Wireshark

  • Deep packet inspection
  • Live capture
  • Offline analysis
  • 3000+ protocol support
  • Rich display filters
  • VoIP analysis
  • Decryption support
  • Scripting with Lua

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Check Point Software

  • Protecting hybrid cloud from ransomwarenot Wireshark
  • Implementing zero trust on endpointsnot Wireshark
  • Securing AI deployments from threatsnot Wireshark
  • Detecting advanced threats across networksnot Wireshark

Wireshark

  • Network Securitynot Check Point Software
  • Packet Analysisnot Check Point Software
  • Open Sourcenot Check Point Software

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Check Point Software

  • No pricing published; directed to contact sales or find a partner
  • Cybersecurity enterprise software typically sold on quote-only basis
  • No transparent pricing for any product suite

Wireshark

  • Free and open source under the GNU GPL; downloadable without paying any license fee, no commercial tier

Pricing, plan by plan

Check Point Software

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Check Point Software review.

Wireshark

Free
  • Free & Open SourceFree
    • Full functionality
    • Deep inspection
    • Live capture

Which should you pick?

Choose Check Point Software if

Nothing in the data separates Check Point Software from Wireshark on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

Check Point Software review

Choose Wireshark if

  • You need deep packet inspection.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Desktop, Cli.
  • You also want live capture.
Wireshark review

Questions people ask

Is Check Point Software or Wireshark better?
Neither clearly leads. Check Point Software starts at On request and Wireshark at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Check Point Software or Wireshark?
Wireshark has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Check Point Software and Free for Wireshark.
Does Check Point Software or Wireshark run on more platforms?
Check Point Software runs on Web. Wireshark runs on Desktop, Cli.
Can I use Wireshark for free?
Yes. Wireshark has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Check Point Software starts at On request.
What is Check Point Software best used for?
Check Point Software is most often used for protecting hybrid cloud from ransomware, implementing zero trust on endpoints, securing ai deployments from threats, detecting advanced threats across networks. Of those, protecting hybrid cloud from ransomware and implementing zero trust on endpoints are not what Wireshark is typically brought in for.
What can Check Point Software do that Wireshark cannot?
Wireshark covers Deep packet inspection, Live capture, Offline analysis, 3000+ protocol support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Check Point Software: How much does Check Point Software cost?

Check Point Software does not publish pricing. The vendor directs customers to contact sales or find a partner. Pricing is quote-based and customized per deployment.

Source
Wireshark: Is there a cost to download and use Wireshark?

No, Wireshark is completely free. It's distributed under the GNU General Public License version 2, making it "free software" with no demo limitations. The full version is available at no cost.

Source
Check Point Software: Does Check Point Software offer a free trial or demo?

No pricing or free tier information is published on the Check Point website. Contact their sales team or find an authorized partner to request a demo.

Source
Wireshark: What support options are available for Wireshark users?

Wireshark offers multiple support channels including mailing lists, an active Discord community, the Ask Wireshark Q&A platform, comprehensive documentation, a user guide, and developer resources for those needing technical assistance.

Source
Wireshark: Are there different pricing tiers or subscription levels?

Wireshark does not offer pricing tiers or subscriptions. There is one free version available to all users regardless of use case, personal, professional, or organizational.

Source
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