MeshDash is built by operators for operators. No feature was added without a real deployment need behind it. Here's how it compares to the alternatives.
| Feature | ⬡ MeshDash | Official Apps | meshinfo | Simple dashboards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Self-hosted / no cloud | ✓ | ✓ | ◐ | ◐ |
| Real-time node cards with telemetry | ✓ | ✓ | ◐ | ◐ |
| Packet capture / analysis | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| BPF-style packet filtering | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Source detection (RF vs MQTT) | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| GPS map with trajectories | ✓ | ◐ | ◐ | ✗ |
| Neighbour link map | ✓ | ✗ | ◐ | ✗ |
| Direct messaging with ACK tracking | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Channel broadcast | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Historical telemetry charts | ✓ | ✗ | ◐ | ◐ |
| Node comparison (up to 4) | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Live traceroute with hop-SNR | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Cron task scheduler | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Auto-reply rules engine | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Telemetry threshold alerts | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Web sensor ingress | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Full protobuf node config editor | ✓ | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Plugin system | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Remote access (no port forwarding) | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Web Serial browser bridge | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| Multi-radio slots (16+) | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| REST API with 30+ endpoints | ✓ | ✗ | ✗ | ✗ |
| JWT authentication | ✓ | ◐ | ✗ | ◐ |
| Open source | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
MeshShark is the only Wireshark-style packet capture and analysis tool in the entire Meshtastic ecosystem. BPF filtering, three-pane detail view, source classification, and live capture in a browser — nothing else comes close.
The combination of task scheduler, auto-reply engine, telemetry alerts, and web sensor ingress means your mesh can operate autonomously. MeshDash is the only Meshtastic tool with a full automation stack.
The plugin system means you can add features without touching core code and without waiting for a PR to be merged. Build your own bridge, sensor injector, or custom UI in an afternoon.
Default configuration sends nothing external. No analytics, no telemetry to developers, no API keys required. Remote access and community map are completely opt-in.
Every feature exists because a real operator needed it — multi-radio slots for a base station, web sensor ingress for a weather mesh, traceroute for link debugging. Not a demo project.
30+ endpoints with JWT auth, SSE streaming, and structured JSON responses. Build your own clients, integrate with home automation, or drive MeshDash from a script.
MeshDash is free, open source, and runs on hardware you already own. No account, no trial, no credit card.
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