Network packet brokers are essential for enterprises with complex, high-speed networks. They help organizations manage and secure their network traffic by aggregating, filtering, and distributing data across a complex network infrastructure.
As networks scale to support 100G, 400G, and beyond, choosing the right packet broker vendor is critical for maintaining performance, visibility, and security.
This comprehensive guide examines the top 10 packet broker vendors in 2025.
Network Critical offers a unique scale-out approach to packet brokering with its SmartNA-PortPlus range.
Key Features:
Best for: Growing organizations seeking scalable solutions that can expand incrementally without replacing existing infrastructure.
Proven results:
Vodafone: Reduced customer churn rates and achieved 100% accurate traffic visibility on key links.
BP: Enabled centralized monitoring of critical systems across refinery buildings.
HSBC: Achieved zero latency on monitoring technologies for real-time financial updates.
Gigamon specializes in network visibility and has built its business around packet broker technology and related solutions.
Key Features:
Best For: Large enterprises requiring comprehensive visibility across hybrid-cloud infrastructures and advanced security analytics.
Keysight combines testing expertise with packet broker technology.
Key Features:
Best For: Organizations requiring high-performance packet processing with zero packet loss and advanced threat detection capabilities.
Cisco approaches packet brokering as an extension of its switching infrastructure, offering integrated visibility within its broader ecosystem.
Key Features:
Best For: Organizations already invested in Cisco infrastructure seeking a unified networking and visibility solution.
Arista delivers packet brokering through standard ethernet switches with specialized software.
Key Features:
Best for: Cloud-native organizations and service providers implementing SDN architectures.
APCON provides chassis-based packet brokers with advanced packet processing capabilities.
Key Features:
Best for: Enterprises requiring application-aware visibility and compliance features.
Garland Technology focuses on purpose-built packet brokers and TAP solutions for network visibility.
Key Features:
Best For: Organizations seeking targeted solutions for specific monitoring requirements.
Cubro specializes in advanced packet brokers with extensive tunneling protocol support.
Key Features:
Best for: Service providers and enterprises with overlay networks and tunneled traffic.
Broadcom is a major player in networking and infrastructure, with strong expertise in high-performance switching silicon and datacenter technologies.
Key Features:
Best For: Organizations implementing SDN-based architectures with multi-tenancy requirements.
NetScout combines packet brokering with service assurance in an integrated platform approach.
Key Features:
Best For: Enterprises focusing on service assurance and performance management.
| Vendor | Speeds supported | Key features | Best for |
| Network Critical | 1/10/25/40/100G, 400G (HyperCore) | Scale-out SmartNA-PortPlus, Drag-n-Vu™ GUI, API automation | Growing organizations needing scalable visibility |
| Gigamon | 1/10/25/40/100/400G | Deep Observability Pipeline, SSL/TLS decryption, hybrid-cloud integration | Large enterprises needing hybrid-cloud visibility & advanced analytics |
| Keysight | 1/10/25/40/100/400G | Hardware-accelerated zero-loss architecture (vendor claim), SSL decryption, AI-driven visibility | High-performance, test-grade environments needing reliable packet capture |
| Cisco | 1/10/25/40/100/400G | Nexus Dashboard Data Broker, API programmability, integration with Cisco stack | Organizations already invested in Cisco infrastructure |
| Arista | 1/10/25/40/100/400G | DANZ & Monitoring Fabric, SDN controls, analytics, Big Switch integration | Cloud-native organizations and service providers with SDN architectures |
| APCON | 1/10/25/40/100/400G | IntellaView chassis, HyperEngine real-time processing, app-aware visibility | Enterprises needing modular chassis & application-aware monitoring |
| Garland | 1/10/40/100G | TAP-focused design, deduplication, packet slicing, aggregation | Targeted monitoring solutions & cost-conscious deployments |
| Cubro | 1/10/25/40/100/400G | Advanced tunneling protocol support (VXLAN, GRE, MPLS, GTP), ns-level timestamping (20–200ns) | Service providers managing overlay/tunneled traffic |
| Broadcom | 1/10/25/40/100/400G | High-performance switching silicon, VMware integration | Data centers needing silicon-driven scalability & integration |
| NETSCOUT | 1/10/25/40/100/400G | nGenius Packet Flow Switches, service assurance via nGeniusONE | Enterprises prioritizing service assurance with integrated packet brokering |
The packet broker market offers diverse solutions for every network need and budget.
Focus on matching vendor capabilities to your specific requirements – whether that's advanced protocol support, scalability, or seamless tool integration. By carefully evaluating your needs and testing solutions in your environment, you'll find the right partner to ensure comprehensive network visibility for years to come.