Wireshark MCP vs Mcpcap
A side-by-side look at the Wireshark MCP and Mcpcap MCP servers: transport, auth, tools, quality signals, and the config to install either one in Claude, Cursor, Windsurf or VS Code.
Verdict: choose Wireshark MCP for security work as a local process; choose Mcpcap for security as a local process. You can also run both side by side in one mcpServers block.
Which MCP server should you choose?
Choose Wireshark MCP when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Security domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- Its auth model fits you: No auth required.
- You want tools like
wireshark_get_capabilities, wireshark_get_file_info, wireshark_merge_pcaps.
Choose Mcpcap when
- You need dedicated capabilities in the Security domain.
- You prefer a local stdio subprocess transport.
- You have the keys it needs:
MCPCAP_AUTH_TOKEN.
Feature & specification comparison
Rows where the two servers differ are marked.
| Spec | ||
|---|---|---|
| Category | Security | Security |
| Quality signal | 67/100 · Great | 40/100 · Fair |
| Install command | Confirmed | Confirmed |
| Transport | Local subprocess (stdio) | Local subprocess (stdio) |
| Auth | No auth required | Not declared |
| Pricing | Free | Not declared |
| Required env vars | None listed | MCPCAP_AUTH_TOKEN |
| Verified owner | Community listing | Community listing |
| GitHub stars | 349 | 51 |
| Directory activity | 9 views 0 installs 0 upvotes | 0 views 0 installs 0 upvotes |
| Tools | 52 | Not listed |
| Full listing | View Wireshark MCP | View Mcpcap |
Tools & capabilities
Wireshark MCP tools 52
wireshark_get_capabilitiesGet Wireshark suite capabilities for this MCP server instance (available tools and versions).wireshark_get_file_infoGet capture file metadata (type, packet count, duration, size) via capinfos.wireshark_merge_pcapsMerge multiple capture files into one. input_files: comma-separated paths.wireshark_text2pcap_importConvert ASCII or hex dump into a capture file using text2pcap. encapsulation: link-layer type (default: ether).wireshark_list_interfacesList available network interfaces for capture.wireshark_captureCapture live network traffic. capture_filter: BPF syntax. ring_buffer: "filesize:1024,files:5".wireshark_filter_saveFilter packets from a pcap and save to a new file using a Wireshark display filter.wireshark_editcap_trimTrim capture to a timestamp window. Times in editcap format.wireshark_editcap_splitSplit a capture into smaller files by packet count or interval.wireshark_editcap_time_shiftAdjust all packet timestamps by a positive or negative offset in seconds.wireshark_editcap_deduplicateRemove duplicate packets within a sliding window (default: 5 packets).wireshark_aggregate[Primary statistics] Full-filter counts, groups, distinct values, numeric metrics, top-k, and time buckets. Field lists are comma-separated.- +40 more on the listing page
Mcpcap tools
No tool names declared yet. Check the project README from the listing page.
Ready-to-paste client configs
Paste either block (or both) into your client config, e.g. claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json. We only show a config when the install command is confirmed.
Wireshark MCP
{
"mcpServers": {
"bx33661-wireshark-mcp": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": [
"wireshark-mcp"
]
}
}
}
Mcpcap
{
"mcpServers": {
"mcpcap": {
"command": "uvx",
"args": [
"mcpcap"
],
"env": {
"MCPCAP_AUTH_TOKEN": "YOUR_MCPCAP_AUTH_TOKEN_HERE"
}
}
}
}
Frequently asked questions
Wireshark MCP is categorized under Security and uses a local stdio subprocess. Mcpcap belongs to Security and uses a local stdio subprocess. Pick Wireshark MCP for security work and Mcpcap for security.
Copy the mcpServers block from the config section on this page into your client's config (for example claude_desktop_config.json or ~/.cursor/mcp.json), then fully restart the client.
Wireshark MCP is listed as free. Auth: no auth required. Mcpcap has no declared pricing — check the project's own site. If a server needs environment variables such as API keys, define them under the env key in your client's MCP config.
Yes. MCP clients support multiple servers: add bx33661-wireshark-mcp and mcpcap as separate keys in the same mcpServers object, and your assistant will call tools from either one.
On AllMCPs, Wireshark MCP has a quality signal of 67/100 (Great) with 9 views, 0 installs and 349 GitHub stars. Mcpcap has 40/100 (Fair) with 0 views, 0 installs and 51 GitHub stars.