CloudShark
CloudShark is a centrally deployed packet analysis platform for network and security teams.
What CloudShark is
CloudShark is a centrally deployed packet analysis platform for network and security teams. It works with PCAP, pcapng, and other libpcap-compatible capture files, and supports the protocols and display filters available in Wireshark. Teams can upload and split large captures, then search across the resulting files. Zeek and Suricata analysis lets users move from summary or alert information to related packets. Analysis can be shared through a URL, while a REST API connects the platform with ticketing systems, SIEM platforms, capture appliances, and other automation tools. CloudShark Enterprise is self-hosted, with permission-based access and SSO, and keeps packet data under the customer’s control. It is available as an OVA or Docker deployment and does not require internet access to run or install. The OVA is officially supported on VMware ESXi 7 or 8 with a 64-bit x86_64 CPU. Pricing is on request, and there is no free plan.
Good
- Wireshark protocols and display filters
- Zeek and Suricata packet pivots
- Self-hosted packet data control
- URL sharing for analyses
- REST API integrations
Watch out
- No free plan
- Live capture is not supported
- Docker lacks external LDAP/AD authentication
- OVA officially supports VMware ESXi 7 or 8
Who it suits
CloudShark suits network and security teams analyzing existing packet captures. It fits organizations needing self-hosted data control, shared analysis, and integrations with operational systems.
Verdict
CloudShark combines capture-file analysis, threat-analysis pivots, sharing, and automation integrations in a self-hosted deployment. Buyers should confirm the supported environment and request pricing before choosing it.
Plans and prices
From CloudShark's own pricing page, checked 9 Oct 2026.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| CloudShark Personal | $29 a month | Unlimited devices · one account · yearly subscription |
| CloudShark Enterprise | Priced on request | One fixed price per year · unlimited users, instances, and data |
The facts
Each one read from CloudShark's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Authentication
- The product page states that CloudShark Enterprise supports permission-based access and SSO.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Data control
- CloudShark Enterprise is self-hosted, keeping packet data under the customer’s control without third-party cloud services or external storage dependencies.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Deployment
- CloudShark Enterprise is available as an OVA and can also be deployed in Docker environments.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Docker limitation
- External LDAP/AD authentication is not supported for Docker deployments, while SAML and OAuth remain available.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The REST API connects CloudShark Enterprise with ticketing systems, SIEM platforms, capture appliances, and other automation tools.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Internet requirement
- Internet access is not required to run or install CloudShark Enterprise.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Large captures
- Users can upload and split large captures, then search across split files with Wireshark display filters.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Packet analysis
- It supports the protocols and display filters supported by Wireshark.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- CloudShark Enterprise is a centrally deployed packet analysis platform for network and security teams.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Sharing
- Analysis can be shared through a URL so others can open the same capture and analysis.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Support
- QA Cafe provides CloudShark installation, user, administration, and API guides, and directs customers to support by email.checked 9 Oct 2026
- System requirements
- The OVA is officially supported on VMware ESXi 7 or 8 and requires a 64-bit x86_64 CPU; other hypervisors may work but are not officially supported.checked 9 Oct 2026
- Threat analysis
- CloudShark includes Zeek and Suricata analysis and lets users pivot from summary or alert data to packets.checked 9 Oct 2026
The company
- Founded
- 2001checked 28 Sep 2026
- Headquarters
- Dover, New Hampshire, USAchecked 28 Sep 2026
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