vnstat ☆
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Description:
Console-based network traffic monitor
Type: Formula  |  Tracked Since: Dec 28, 2025
Links: Homepage  |  formulae.brew.sh
Category: Networking
Tags: monitoring networking traffic bandwidth statistics
Install: brew install vnstat
About:
VnStat is a lightweight, console-based network traffic monitor that logs network traffic usage for Linux and BSD systems. Unlike packet sniffing tools, it relies on the kernel's native traffic statistics, ensuring minimal resource usage. It provides detailed reports across various timeframes without requiring permanent root access after initial setup.
Key Features:
  • Zero packet sniffing (uses kernel stats)
  • Support for multiple network interfaces
  • SQLite database backend for data storage
  • Lightweight and resource-efficient
  • Multiple output modes (console, HTML, SVG)
Use Cases:
  • Monitoring ISP bandwidth caps and data usage
  • Auditing server network traffic over time
  • Tracking costs on metered network connections
Alternatives:
  • iftop – iftop focuses on real-time bandwidth usage per connection, whereas vnstat focuses on long-term historical logging.
  • nload – nload provides a real-time visual graph of current throughput, while vnstat stores historical data for reporting.
Version History
Detected Version Rev Change Commit
Sep 16, 2025 12:51am 0 VERSION_BUMP 25caf190
Sep 12, 2024 5:50pm 0 VERSION_BUMP f929481e
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