Wireshark, Firebug Or Fiddler: Which Should You Use? Use them All!
Need to find a debugging program that meets your needs? There are plenty of options out there, so you need to know which one will give you what you're looking for. Wireshark, Firebug and Fiddler are all good options, so let's take a look and see how they compare.
Supported Platforms
Firstly, you need to know that you can use your chosen program on the platform you use. What kind of support can you get?
Wireshark, Firebug and Fiddler all work on Windows platforms, but only Fiddler will work on Mac and Linux too. Wireshark, on the other hand, will also be useable on SaaS. None of them give you mobile accessibility on iOS or Android.
As such, the one you pick will initially be based on the platform you're using. If you're using Windows, then you have your pick of all three.
Usage
The software you use will also be dependent on what you actually need from it. How do they all compare here?
Fiddler and Firebug are for anyone who needs an effective web dubugging proxy. They will both let you inspect aspects such as Javascript expressions and create new HTML attributes, in order to effectively debug a web page.
On the other hand, Wireshark is for those who need something that allows for more minute access. 'You can use packet analyzers with Wireshark, which give you the ability to really look at the network in detail' says Jordi Price, a tech blogger from Write My X and 1 Day 2 Write.
If you need a basic debugger, then Fiddler or Firebug will work. If you need more control, then Wireshark will work well.
Cost
The cost of your debugging software needs to be taken into account when dealing with any project. Savings do need to be made where possible.
You can do this with Wireshark and Firebug, as they are both open source programs. That incurs no extra cost for you, and you can get the help you need with them. Fiddler offers a free trial, but you will need to pay a fee to use it. Right now, the fee comes out at $15 per month.
Support
Any good software needs to come with support, so you can get assistance should you need it. How do all three programs stack up this way?
You'll see that they all offer online support. That makes sense with Wireshark and Firebug, as they're open source and so there are communities online that work on them. It would have been good to see more support, such as a phone line, with Fiddler, as it's a paid service.
Features
The features of your debugging program are important, so you need to ensure you're picking the right one. What kind of features do each program offer you?
Each one does something a little bit different. Wireshark, for example, gives you network troubleshooting and VoIP monitoring. Fiddler gives you API testing and bug tracking. Firebug allows you to inspect HTML and CSS element, and view info like download times.
'There's more to the features than what you see on the surface, so you may want to play around with them' says writer Morgan Orozco from Origin Writings and Brit Student. 'As two are open source, extensions and additions are always being made, so you can customize the program to suit your needs.'
Integrations
When it comes to integrations, Wireshark (with billions of downloads) is the program with all the benefits here. You can integrate it with any of the following:
EndaceProbe
GigaSECURE
Kali
Linux
Riverbed Network and Application Performance
ScyllaDB
Solus
and Many More programs for monitoring network data, network performance , security,...etc
Reviews
Finally, what are others saying about each of these programs? You can find online reviews for all of them, but it's Fiddler that's garnering the most positive praise right now. Many are praising the design and ease of use, as well as the features it offers.
Take some time to read reviews, as you'll be sure to find plenty that will be useful to you online.
Conclusion
Which debugging program should you use? It really depends on what you're hoping to achieve with it. This guide should help you find the one that works for you, and get started with debugging.
George J. Newton is a business development manager, writing for Write my coursework and PhD Kingdom. He has been married for ten years, and enjoys spending time with his family. He also writes for sites like Coursework writer.
Editors Note - All three of these applications are purposed differently and all three of these are viable applications on their own. They are not competitive at all !