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Browser Extensions · head to head

Userscripts vs Wireshark

Userscripts logo

Userscripts

Browser Extensions

Open-source userscript manager for Safari on Mac and iOS

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Wireshark logo

Wireshark

Cybersecurity

The world's foremost network protocol analyzer

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Userscripts safari cannot let extensions bypass a site's Content Security Policy, so strict sites produce "Refused to execute a script" errors that the @inject-into workaround does not always fix.; Wireshark free and open source under the GNU GPL; downloadable without paying any license fee, no commercial tier
  • They diverge on capability: Userscripts covers Built-in script editor, Wireshark covers Deep packet inspection.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 17 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Userscripts and Wireshark actually diverge.

Attributes where Userscripts and Wireshark differ
AttributeUserscriptsWireshark
Pricing modelopen-sourcefree
PlatformsSafari, macOS, iOSDesktop, Cli
CategoryBrowser ExtensionsCybersecurity
FoundedUnknown1998

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).

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 Userscripts

  • Built-in script editor
  • Standard metadata support
  • GM API
  • Remote script updating
  • iCloud sync
  • Per-page popup

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.

Userscripts

  • Running userscripts on Safari without paying for Tampermonkeynot Wireshark
  • Running userscripts on an iPhone or iPadnot Wireshark
  • Writing scripts on a Mac and syncing them to iOSnot Wireshark
  • Blocking or restyling site elements Safari content blockers cannot reachnot Wireshark
  • Keeping a script library under an open-source licencenot Wireshark

Wireshark

  • Network Securitynot Userscripts
  • Packet Analysisnot Userscripts
  • Open Sourcenot Userscripts

Where each one falls short

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

Userscripts

  • Safari cannot let extensions bypass a site's Content Security Policy, so strict sites produce "Refused to execute a script" errors that the @inject-into workaround does not always fix.
  • Apple only. There is no Chrome, Firefox or Edge build, so it cannot be a cross-browser answer.
  • iCloud sync is documented as having delays, which is awkward when editing the same script on two devices.
  • Requires macOS 12 and Safari 14.1, or iOS 15.1, so older Apple hardware is excluded.
  • GPL v3 means a commercial licence is required for non-open-source use, which matters if you are embedding rather than just using it.

Wireshark

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

Pricing, plan by plan

Userscripts

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Full functionality
    • GPL v3 licensed
    • macOS, iOS and iPadOS

Wireshark

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

Which should you pick?

Choose Userscripts if

  • You need built-in script editor.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Safari, macOS, iOS.
  • You also want standard metadata support.
Userscripts 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 Userscripts or Wireshark better?
Neither clearly leads. Userscripts 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, Userscripts or Wireshark?
Userscripts starts at Free and Wireshark at Free.
Does Userscripts or Wireshark run on more platforms?
Userscripts runs on Safari, macOS, iOS. Wireshark runs on Desktop, Cli.
Can I use Userscripts for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Userscripts best used for?
Userscripts is most often used for running userscripts on safari without paying for tampermonkey, running userscripts on an iphone or ipad, writing scripts on a mac and syncing them to ios, blocking or restyling site elements safari content blockers cannot reach. Of those, running userscripts on safari without paying for tampermonkey and running userscripts on an iphone or ipad are not what Wireshark is typically brought in for.
What can Userscripts do that Wireshark cannot?
Userscripts covers Built-in script editor, Standard metadata support, GM API, Remote script updating. Wireshark covers Deep packet inspection, Live capture, Offline analysis, 3000+ protocol support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Userscripts: Is Userscripts for Safari free?

Yes, free on the App Store and licensed under GPL v3. A commercial licence is required for use in something that is not itself open source.

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
Userscripts: Does it work on iPhone?

Yes, on iOS and iPadOS 15.1 or later, which makes it one of the few ways to run userscripts on an iPhone.

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
Userscripts: Why do I get "Refused to execute a script" errors?

Safari does not let extensions bypass a site's Content Security Policy the way other browsers do. The documented workaround is changing the script's @inject-into setting, though it does not resolve every case.

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
Userscripts: Do my scripts sync between Mac and iPhone?

Yes, over iCloud, though the project notes the sync can be delayed rather than immediate.

Source
Userscripts: What are the system requirements?

macOS 12 or later with Safari 14.1 or later, or iOS and iPadOS 15.1 or later.

Source
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