---
title: Profishark Compared to other Portable Gigabit TAPs
description: Discover the unmatched performance and versatility of ProfiShark, a leading portable gigabit TAP for network professionals, offering complete traffic transparency and precision in network analysis.
---

[Blog | Profitap](https://insights.profitap.com)

# [Profishark Compared to other Portable Gigabit TAPs](https://insights.profitap.com/profishark-compared-to-other-portable-gigabit-taps)

 Written by [Profitap](https://insights.profitap.com/author/profitap) | Jan 14, 2025 3:18:01 PM

This blog article draws on insights from Sake Blok's presentation: "*Gotta catch 'em all*! A field test of portable gigabit TAPs" at Sharkfest 2024. You can watch the presentation here. Consider becoming a Wireshark member to support the Foundation.

# Introduction

Portable gigabit TAPs are essential tools for network professionals, as they enable complete capture of network traffic without impacting the observed device. ProfiShark is one such tool, and Sake Blok's presentation provides valuable insights into its performance compared to other products in the market.

## Test Methodology

Sake Blok tested five different portable gigabit TAPs across various parameters, including network port functions, handling of faulty and special packets, throughput performance, and packet ordering. He created various test scenarios using various devices, such as a Cisco PoE switch, a PoE powered phone, an FMADIO capture box, and a Ubuntu laptop.

# Technical Features

The following table provides an overview of ProfiShark's technical features compared to other tested TAPs:

| Feature | ProfiShark 1G | DUALCOMM ETAP-2003 | NEOX PRP-SCC-1GA | LANProbe | SharkTapUSB |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| PoE Pass-through | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Link Negotiation Pass-through | ✅ | ❌ | Configurable | ✅ | Model dependent |
| Link Failure Pass-through | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | Model dependent |
| Power Failure Bypass | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | Model dependent |
| Small Frame Pass-through | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Jumbo Frame Pass-through | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| FCS Error Pass-through | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Special Bridging Frame Pass-through | ✅ | ❌ | Behavior dependent | ✅ | ✅ |
| Aggregation Accuracy | 100% | 30% | 100% | >99% | >99% |
| Hardware timestamping | ✅ 8ns resolution | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Inline and SPAN Mode | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Driver Support | Windows, Linux, macOS | Model dependent | No Drivers needed | Model dependent | Model dependent |
| Price | On request | Low | Medium | Low | Low |

## Key Findings

- **Transparency: **ProfiShark proved to be one of the two most transparent TAPs among those tested, passing all frames, including faulty and special packets, to both network and monitoring ports.
- **Performance:** ProfiShark demonstrated excellent performance with no packet loss or reordering, even at maximum gigabit speeds.
- **Hardware Timestamp precision**: ProfiShark offers 8-nanosecond timestamp precision, which is advantageous for time-critical analysis.
- **Driver Support:** ProfiShark features Windows, Linux, and macOS driver support with regular updates and a large support community.

 

ProfiShark is a powerful and versatile portable gigabit TAP ideally suited for network professionals who require complete transparency and accuracy in network traffic capture. Its ability to handle all types of frames, excellent performance, and timestamp accuracy make it a top choice for demanding troubleshooting and analysis tasks. While it comes with a higher cost than some other TAPs, its advanced features and reliability justify the investment for those requiring unmatched performance.

*Note: The comparison information in this article comes exclusively from the sources provided. The availability and technical specifications of specific products may vary, and it is advisable to check for the latest information before purchasing.*

 

<https://insights.profitap.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLKAEACv0a7VWDklBMfdQcng6pEIIRyHq7wQpwDIotVH1abv23SmLd9om7XlIVqgEVUJvRGY2CeQypyoBGr%2Fd4kXVGvCKRHa%2BDJpBMSqyURGPDtY6L1P381%2B6VloBBMBe5v8obF5YMuCQCQiFZ3F2MFA5wH1PlDk9C8xgiY5RGa%2F6R1oWUAxXY8jyZ6rTE3DjcubFh0%3D&webInteractiveContentId=158528436556&portalId=2954816>

 

[View full post](https://insights.profitap.com/profishark-compared-to-other-portable-gigabit-taps)

```json
{
  "@context" : "http://schema.org",
  "@type" : "BlogPosting",
  "author" : {
    "@type" : "Person",
    "name" : "Profitap"
  },
  "dateModified" : "2025-03-17T14:50:03.962Z",
  "datePublished" : "2025-01-14T15:18:01Z",
  "headline" : "Profishark Compared to other Portable Gigabit TAPs",
  "image" : {
    "@type" : "ImageObject",
    "height" : 1080,
    "url" : "https://2954816.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hubfs/2954816/ProfiShark%201G%20compared%20to%20other%20TAPs%20dark%20mode-1.png",
    "width" : 1080
  },
  "mainEntityOfPage" : "https://insights.profitap.com/profishark-compared-to-other-portable-gigabit-taps",
  "publisher" : {
    "@type" : "Organization",
    "logo" : {
      "@type" : "ImageObject",
      "height" : 60,
      "url" : "/hs/hsstatic/content_shared_assets/static-1.4092/img/default-amp-logo.png",
      "width" : 60
    },
    "name" : "Profitap Blog"
  }
}
```