QA Cafe
QA Cafe provides automated network device testing and packet capture analysis software (CDRouter and CloudShark Enterprise) to broadband CPE manufacturers, service providers, chipset vendors, and ODMs globally, and holds official certification tool status for Broadband Forum and prpl Foundation programs.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2001
- HeadquartersDover, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What QA Cafe does
QA Cafe, LLC is a privately held, founder/management-owned software company founded in 2001 and headquartered in Dover, New Hampshire. It develops automated test and analysis solutions for broadband customer premises equipment (CPE), Wi-Fi devices, and home network infrastructure. The company's core products are CDRouter, a fully automated network gateway testing platform with over 10,000 proprietary test cases covering protocols (TR-069, USP/TR-369, DOCSIS, TR-398, TR-471), security, Wi-Fi performance, and regression; and CloudShark Enterprise, a web-based packet capture analysis platform with multi-gigabyte file handling and integrated Wireshark, Zeek, and Suricata analysis. These are augmented by Packet Viewer (an OEM packet analysis offering) and an optional NTA hardware appliance, plus a suite of expansion modules targeting specific standards and use cases.
QA Cafe monetizes through a mix of recurring subscription licenses (CDRouter, CloudShark Enterprise), perpetual licenses with annual maintenance and support agreements (MSA), hardware appliance sales, and OEM licensing for the Packet Viewer product. It sells exclusively via direct enterprise sales to broadband CPE manufacturers (e.g., Cisco, Netgear, TP-Link, ASUS, Linksys, Huawei, ZTE, Nokia), service providers and operators (e.g., Comcast, AT&T, Verizon, Vodafone, Deutsche Telekom, British Telecom, Swisscom, Charter), chipset vendors (Broadcom), and consumer electronics companies (Apple, Google, Samsung, eero), reaching 200+ customers globally.
The company holds official certification tool status for the Broadband Forum BBF.069 (TR-069) and BBF.369 (USP/TR-369) certification programs and is the official Certification Tool for prpl Foundation, giving it a quasi-regulatory role in standards-based CPE testing. It has remained privately held with no disclosed funding rounds, no parent company, and no M&A activity across its 24-year operating history.
QA Cafe firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- QA Cafe
- Legal name
- QA Cafe, LLC
- Website
- https://qacafe.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2001
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- QA Cafe provides automated network device testing and packet capture analysis software (CDRouter and CloudShark Enterprise) to broadband CPE manufacturers, service providers, chipset vendors, and ODMs globally, and holds official certification tool status for Broadband Forum and prpl Foundation programs.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
QA Cafe industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Network Device Testing Software
- NAICS
- Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services (51821)
- SIC
- Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Quality Engineering & Test Automation (QE/QA) (BPAEAFAJ)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Testing, QA & Release/Deployment Enablement (BPAEAAAN)
Keywords
Where QA Cafe is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Dover
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
QA Cafe business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Personnel, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- CDRouter Software Licenses: CDRouter is offered as both subscription licenses and perpetual licenses. Subscription licenses include maintenance and support with annual renewal. Perpetual licenses include one year of maintenance and support with optional renewal. NTA hardware appliance is sold separately.
- CDRouter Maintenance and Support (MSA): Annual maintenance and support agreements provide software upgrades (typically 2-4 major/minor releases per year), unlimited software support via email during business hours, access to development resources, API reference, and Developer Guide. Response time typically within a few hours during business hours.
- CloudShark Enterprise Subscriptions: CloudShark Enterprise is offered as a subscription license with annual maintenance and support included. Subscriptions include unlimited software support, access to secure downloads, and ability to request new features.
- NTA Hardware Appliance: Physical hardware platform sold to run CDRouter software. Hardware includes up to 5-year warranty when MSA is maintained. Hardware replacement policy allows customers to upgrade to current shipping hardware at any time.
- Packet Viewer OEM: Packet Viewer is offered as an OEM solution for cloud-managed network and security solutions with simple licensing model.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | CDRouter Subscription License |
| One time/ perpetual license | Multi-year contract | CDRouter Perpetual License |
| Subscription | Annual | CloudShark Enterprise Subscription |
| Unit Pricing | One time/ perpetual license | NTA Hardware Appliance |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
QA Cafe product offering
Product offeringCore offering
QA Cafe develops and sells automated network device testing software (CDRouter) and enterprise packet capture analysis tools (CloudShark Enterprise, Packet Viewer). Its platform is used by broadband CPE manufacturers, service providers, and network operators to validate feature, security, and performance compliance against industry standards such as TR-069, USP/TR-369, DOCSIS, TR-398, and TR-471.
Product overview
QA Cafe offers a platform-plus-modules product architecture centered on network testing and packet analysis. The core products are CDRouter (automated network gateway testing platform with over 10,000 test cases) and CloudShark Enterprise (enterprise packet capture analysis platform). These are complemented by Packet Viewer (cloud-managed packet analysis tool) and a suite of CDRouter expansion modules that add specialized testing capabilities including Wi-Fi Range vs. Rate testing, TR-471 Speed Test validation, DOCSIS cable testing, IPv6, Multiport scalability, Performance testing, prpl Certification, IKE/VPN testing, Security testing, Storage testing, SNMP, TR-069, and USP/TR-369 protocol testing. The expansion modules extend the CDRouter platform for specific use cases while sharing a common automation framework and API.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- CDRouter Comprehensive and fully automated network gateway testing solution providing industry-standard feature, security, and performance testing for broadband CPE, Wi-Fi routers, and other connected devices. Used by broadband CPE manufacturers, service providers, and network operators.
- CloudShark Enterprise
Quantifiable outcome
- Multi-gigabyte packet captures can now be analyzed in seconds with 10x faster time from capture to insight
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use QA Cafe
Customer profileNamed customers25 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
QA Cafe technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- Yes
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration3 records
Feature9 records
QA Cafe partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Broadband ForumcoreBroadband Forum develops international standards for broadband wireline communications. QA Cafe works with the Broadband Forum to provide official certification testing tools for BBF.069 (TR-069/CWMP) and BBF.369 (USP/TR-369) programs, and implements standards like TR-471, TR-398, and TR-181 in CDRouter testing modules.
- prpl Foundationcoreprpl Foundation is an open-source community focused on interoperable, secure, and service-provider-grade software for consumer electronics. QA Cafe's CDRouter is the official Certification Tool for prpl Certification, working directly with the prplFoundation Certification working group to provide the latest approved test plans.
- OB-UDPST (Open Broadband UDP Speed Test)coreOB-UDPST is the open-source project underlying Broadband Forum TR-471 UDP speed test methodology. QA Cafe's TR-471 Speed Test Validation Expansion is built around the OB-UDPST open-source project, aligning CDRouter testing with this industry-standard performance measurement approach.
- RDK (Reference Design Kit)coreRDK is an open-source framework for set-top boxes and broadband devices. CDRouter is described as the quickest, easiest way to fully test RDK-B implementations at every stage of the product lifecycle, supporting RDK developers through RDK-B based solutions.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
QA Cafe competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- EXFO: EXFO provides fiber, 5G, and service provider network test and monitoring solutions with overlap in broadband service provider testing and assurance use cases served by QA Cafe.
- Rohde & Schwarz: Rohde & Schwarz offers a broad portfolio of wireless and network test equipment, including Wi-Fi and broadband device testing, and competes with QA Cafe for protocol conformance and performance test budgets at large equipment vendors.
- Anritsu: Anritsu provides network and wireless test equipment for service providers and equipment manufacturers, with adjacent products in Wi-Fi, mobile, and broadband protocol testing similar to QA Cafe's CDRouter scope.
- Spirent Communications: Spirent is a large incumbent in telecom and network testing (Ethernet, 5G, Wi-Fi, service provider assurance) with much broader scope than QA Cafe but overlapping product surfaces in Wi-Fi and broadband CPE test methodology.
- Keysight Technologies: Keysight (including the Ixia network test portfolio) is a global incumbent in network and wireless test equipment, with overlapping capability in protocol conformance, performance, and security testing of broadband and Wi-Fi equipment.
Direct peers
- GL Communications: GL Communications provides telecom and network test solutions (voice, data, wireless, packet) — a comparable specialist vendor serving telecom equipment vendors and service providers for protocol and performance testing.
- Calnex Solutions: Calnex specializes in synchronization and timing test solutions for telecoms (PTP, SyncE), serving telecom equipment vendors and service providers — a comparable specialist testing vendor in the broadband ecosystem.
- Candela Technologies: Candela Technologies (LANforge, WiFi testing) sells automated network and Wi-Fi performance testing platforms targeting Wi-Fi access point vendors, service providers, and chipset manufacturers — the same core buyer QA Cafe serves with CDRouter.
- Veryx Technologies: Veryx provides testing solutions for broadband access CPE, carrier Ethernet, and cloud infrastructure — directly competing with QA Cafe in automated test suites for service provider CPE validation.
Emerging players
- Apposite Technologies: Apposite Technologies (formerly Netropy) focuses on network performance testing and WAN emulation, with overlap in performance validation use cases for enterprise and service provider network deployments.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
QA Cafe social profiles
Digital presenceQA Cafe financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
QA Cafe leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
QA Cafe funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
QA Cafe M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about QA Cafe
What does QA Cafe do?
QA Cafe develops and sells automated network device testing software (CDRouter) and enterprise packet capture analysis tools (CloudShark Enterprise, Packet Viewer). Its platform is used by broadband CPE manufacturers, service providers, and network operators to validate feature, security, and performance compliance against industry standards such as TR-069, USP/TR-369, DOCSIS, TR-398, and TR-471.
Is QA Cafe a public or private company?
QA Cafe is a private company. It is classified as management employee owned and is currently operating.
When was QA Cafe founded?
QA Cafe was founded in 2001. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is QA Cafe based?
QA Cafe is headquartered in Dover, United States, in the North America region.
How does QA Cafe make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. CDRouter Software Licenses are the primary driver. The others are CDRouter Maintenance and Support (MSA), cloudShark Enterprise Subscriptions, NTA Hardware Appliance and packet Viewer OEM.
Who are QA Cafe's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are EXFO, Rohde & Schwarz, Anritsu, Spirent Communications and Keysight Technologies. Direct peers are GL Communications, Calnex Solutions, Candela Technologies and Veryx Technologies. Apposite Technologies is listed as an emerging player.
Does QA Cafe have an API?
Yes. CDRouter provides a web API enabling developers to write custom test cases, automate test execution, extract results and data, and integrate into larger test automation frameworks. CloudShark Enterprise includes a Deep Search API for searching across packet captures in the repository. Developer documentation is at support.qacafe.com.
What industry is QA Cafe in?
QA Cafe's product category is Network Device Testing Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPAEAFAJ, Quality Engineering & Test Automation (QE/QA), with a secondary code of BPAEAAAN, Testing, QA & Release/Deployment Enablement. Its NAICS code is 51821 and its SIC code is 8734.