Kismet

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Score7.1

Rank#4 of 30

PriceFree

Free planYes

Runs onAPI, Linux, macOS, Self-hosted, Windows

Summary

Kismet is a free, open-source sniffer, wireless intrusion detection system, wardriving tool and packet capture tool. It can capture Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Bluetooth LE, Zigbee, wireless sensor, airplane beacon and power meter data, subject to hardware and driver support. It can run headless as a standalone capture and WIDS system or with a web interface. Kismet runs on Linux and macOS, and on Windows through WSL. Remote capture can forward capture types over TCP sockets or websockets for centralized collection. Its kismetdb log file combines packet, device, location and runtime information in a file based on SQLite3. A REST-like API provides JSON records, streaming pcap-ng and websocket publish-subscribe endpoints; WIDS alerts can integrate through REST APIs, syslog and some SIEM tools. Kismet says WIDS works most effectively when stationary, while mobile or channel-hopping operation may reduce accuracy and coverage. macOS Wi-Fi adapter support is limited, and WSL cannot access local hardware interfaces for packet capture, though remote capture is supported. The downloads page identifies Kismet 2025-09-R1 as the latest stable release.

Who it is for

Kismet suits people who need wireless capture or intrusion detection and can match supported hardware and drivers to their setup. Remote capture can help Windows users working through WSL collect data from elsewhere.

What is good

Free and open source, with no paid plan listed.
Can operate headless or with a web interface.
Remote capture supports TCP sockets and websockets.
Provides REST-like API and websocket endpoints.

What to know first

Capture coverage depends on hardware and driver support.
Mobile or channel-hopping use may reduce WIDS accuracy.
WSL cannot capture through local hardware interfaces.
macOS adapter support is limited.

Verdict

Kismet offers broad wireless capture types, remote collection and API access without a paid plan. Hardware compatibility and the stated platform limits are important considerations for setup.

Kismet plans and pricing

All plans

Kismet Free Free and open source; no paid plan or usage limit stated kismetwireless.net · 30 Sept 2026

Facts

Product: Kismet is an open source sniffer, wireless intrusion detection system, wardriving tool, and packet capture tool.kismetwireless.net · 30 Sept 2026
Wireless coverage: It can capture Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Bluetooth LE, Zigbee, wireless sensor, airplane beacon, and power meter data, subject to hardware and driver support.kismetwireless.net · 30 Sept 2026
Interface: Kismet can run headless as a standalone capture and WIDS system or with a web-based user interface.kismetwireless.net · 30 Sept 2026
Operating systems: Kismet runs on Linux and macOS, and can run on Windows through WSL.kismetwireless.net · 30 Sept 2026
Logs: The kismetdb logfile combines packets, devices, location, and runtime data in a file based on SQLite3.kismetwireless.net · 30 Sept 2026
API: Kismet provides a REST-like API with JSON records, streaming pcap-ng, and websocket publish-subscribe endpoints.kismetwireless.net · 30 Sept 2026
Integrations: WIDS alerts can be integrated through live packet and alert REST APIs, syslog, and some SIEM tools.kismetwireless.net · 30 Sept 2026
Security: The package installation guidance recommends running capture sources with elevated privileges while avoiding running the Kismet server itself as root.kismetwireless.net · 30 Sept 2026
WIDS limits: Kismet says WIDS is most effective when stationary and that mobile or channel-hopping operation may reduce accuracy and coverage.kismetwireless.net · 30 Sept 2026
macOS limit: On macOS, Kismet supports the Airport internal Wi-Fi adapter and certain named devices, but not generic USB Wi-Fi devices because suitable monitor-mode drivers are lacking.kismetwireless.net · 30 Sept 2026
Windows limit: WSL does not provide direct access to USB, PCI, or other local hardware interfaces for packet capture; remote capture is supported.kismetwireless.net · 30 Sept 2026
Release: The downloads page identifies Kismet 2025-09-R1 as the latest stable release.kismetwireless.net · 30 Sept 2026
Support: The project directs users to its documentation and provides a community Discord server.kismetwireless.net · 30 Sept 2026