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vnStat

github.com/vergoh/vnstat Desktop & OS Privacy Open-source projectOpen source

Monitor network traffic on Linux and BSD from the console with vnStat, using interface statistics.

Visit vnStat 15 alternatives
github.com/vergoh/vnstat
vnStat homepage screenshot

About vnStat

vnStat is a console-based network traffic monitor for Linux and BSD. It uses the network interface statistics provided by the kernel as its information source, so it does not sniff traffic, and it is designed for light use of system resources regardless of the network traffic rate.

By default it stores traffic statistics at a five-minute level for the last 48 hours, an hourly level for the last 4 days, a daily level for the last 2 full months and a yearly level forever; these retention durations are fully user configurable. It also reports total seen traffic and a top days listing. Optional image output is available on systems with the GD Graphics Library installed, using TrueType fonts when that support is included in the GD library. vnStat can be installed from the latest stable release, built from the git development version, or run from a Docker container containing the pre-compiled latest stable release.

Key features

  • Console-based traffic monitoring using kernel network interface statistics
  • Does not sniff traffic; light resource use regardless of traffic rate
  • Configurable retention: 5-minute, hourly, daily and yearly levels
  • Reports total seen traffic and a top days listing
  • Optional image output on systems with the GD Graphics Library
  • Installable from stable release, git development version or Docker container
Best for: Linux and BSD users and administrators who want lightweight, console-based network traffic accounting without packet inspection.
Good for
  • Uses kernel interface statistics instead of sniffing traffic
  • Designed for light system resource use regardless of traffic rate
  • Open source under the GPL-2.0 license
Watch out for
  • Console-based, with no graphical interface described
  • Image output requires the GD Graphics Library to be installed and TrueType font support within it
  • Limited to Linux and BSD platforms

vnStat at a glance

Type
Open-source project
Pricing
Not confirmed. Check the site
Platforms
Linux
Open source
Yes · Source code
Language
English
Last checked
Oct 6, 2026 · Online when checked
Listed
Oct 5, 2026
open sourcelinuxdockergit

vnStat alternatives

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vnStat FAQ

Does vnStat capture or inspect network packets?
No. It uses the network interface statistics provided by the kernel as its information source and does not sniff any traffic.
How long is traffic data kept by default?
By default, statistics are stored at a five-minute level for the last 48 hours, hourly for the last 4 days, daily for the last 2 full months and yearly forever. The retention durations are fully user configurable.
How can vnStat be installed?
It can be installed from the latest stable release, built from the current git development version, or run from a Docker container containing the pre-compiled latest stable release.
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Listing maintained by Chris McClure and the WebIndexly editors · Updated Oct 11, 2026 · How we rank