11 BEST Network Scanning Tools (2023)

IP and Network scanning tools are software that identify various loopholes of the network and safeguard from unprecedented and abnormal behavior that poses a threat to the system. It provides a convenient way to secure your computer network. Following is a handpicked list of Top IP Scanners, with their popular features and website links. The list contains both open-source (free) and commercial(paid) network scanning tools.

Best IP Scanners

Auvik’s cloud-based network management and monitoring software lets IT professionals experience the fastest way to manage distributed networks and devices, automate routine tasks, and resolve critical technology issues proactively.

Auvik automates network discovery, gives complete network visibility and control, captures full details for every device on the network including make and model, serial number, IP address, and the physical switchport, keeps device information up to date as the network evolves, centralizes syslog for all network devices, and sends notifications during network incidents for faster troubleshooting with preconfigured and customizable alerts.

#1 Top Pick

AuvikAuvik

Auvik

5.0

IP Address Management: Yes

Network Monitoring: Yes

Free Trial: 14-Days Free Trial

Pros:

  • Detects alerts over a long period of time

  • Great for Root Cause Analysis and Network Tracing

Cons:

  • No Mobile App

Visit Auvik

Features:

  • Network traffic analysis
  • IT asset management
  • Network visibility & mapping
  • Performance monitoring & troubleshooting
  • Configuration backup & recovery
  • Remote network management
  • Provides IP Address Management and Network Monitoring services
  • Offers Bandwidth Monitor
  • Seamlessly integrates with ArcusTeam, Autotask PSA, BrightGauge, Captain’s Chair, ChatGenie, CloudRadial, ConnectWise Automate, ConnectWise Manage, and Continuum
  • Provides instant Emergency, Critical, Warning, and Informational alerts
  • You can set the reporting schedule frequency of Monthly alerts
  • Offers Geo IP tracking, Configuration management, Automated network discovery, Mapping & inventory, APIs & integrations to ticketing, Automate configuration backup & recovery, and more
  • It provides customer support via Phone, and Contact Form
  • Supported Platforms: Windows, Linux, RHEL, and Raspberry PI
  • Price: Request a Quote from Sales
  • Free Trial: 14-Days Free Trial

Visit Auvik >>

14-Days Free Trial

ManageEngine OpUtils offers comprehensive insights into complex network infrastructures with real-time IP address tracking and network scanning. It can scan your network across multiple subnets, routers, and switch ports, and effectively detect and troubleshoot network issues.

#2

ManageEngine OpUtilsManageEngine OpUtils

ManageEngine OpUtils

4.9

IP Address Management: Yes

Network Monitoring: Yes

Free Trial: 30-Days Free Trial

Pros:

  • Instant alerts via SMS and email

  • Good performance to monitor a lot of devices using few resources

Cons:

  • It’s not very intuitive to setup

Visit OpUtils

Features:

  • Automates network scanning with scheduled scan routines.
  • Offers scalability with support for multiple subnets and IPv4 and IPv6 addresses.
  • Streamline network scanning to detect rogue devices and enhance network security.
  • Triggers threshold based alerts escalating emerging problems.
  • Generates diverse reports that can be used to conduct network audits.
  • Offers Bandwidth Monitor, and Server Monitoring
  • Seamlessly integrates with IBM, CT.gov, EDS, and ups
  • Provides instant Email, SMS, Default, and Customizing alerts
  • You can set the reporting schedule frequency of Daily, Weekly, and Monthly alerts
  • Offers IP Address Management, Switch Port Management, Rogue Device Detection, Config File Management, and more
  • It provides customer support via Chat, Phone, and Email
  • Supported Platforms: Windows, iOS, and Android
  • Price: Request a Quote from Sales
  • Free Trial: 30-Days Free Trial

Visit OpUtils >>

30-Days Free Trial

Security Event Manager is application that improves your security and demonstrates compliance with ease. It offers a centralized log collection facility. This app has a built-in file integrity monitoring facility.

#3

Security Event ManagerSecurity Event Manager

Security Event Manager

4.8

IP Address Management: Yes

Network Monitoring: Yes

Free Trial: 30-Days Free Trial

Pros:

  • It offers comprehensive monitoring capabilities.

  • On-the-fly creation of custom monitors

Cons:

  • Configuring the settings/filters for different OS types is difficult

Visit Security Event

Features:

  • It has integrated tools for compliance reporting.
  • This application offers an intuitive dashboard.
  • Provides automated incident response.
  • Offers real time log analyzer and server monitoring
  • Seamlessly integrates with JIRA, and GitHub
  • Provides instant Multiple notification, Email, and web services alerts
  • You can set the reporting schedule frequency of Monthly alerts
  • Offers Centralized log collection and normalization, Threat Detection, Great dashboard and user interface, and more
  • It provides customer support via Contact Form, Ticket, Chat, Phone, and Email
  • Supported Platforms: Windows, Linux, and iOS
  • Price: Request a Quote from Sales
  • Free Trial: 30-Days Free Trial

Visit Security Event >>

30-Days Free Trial

Paessler security network scanning tool has an advanced infrastructure management capability. This software helps you to monitors IT infrastructure using technologies like SNMP, WMI, Sniffing, REST APIS, SQL, and others.

PaesslerPaessler

Features:

  • You can get the numbers, statistics, and graphs for the data you are going to monitor or configuration.
  • It has automated failover handling.
  • The tool provides Multiple user web interfaces.
  • You can visualize your network using maps.
  • Paessler allows you to monitor networks in various locations.
  • You can monitor jFlow, sFlow, IP SLA, Firewall, IP, LAN, Wi-Fi, Jitter, and IPFIX.
  • Provides IP Address Management and Network Monitoring services
  • Offers Bandwidth Monitor, and Server Monitoring
  • Seamlessly integrates with PRTG, and SAP
  • Provides instant Email, ICQ, pager/SMS alerts
  • You can set the reporting schedule frequency of Daily, Weekly, Monthly and Quarterly alerts
  • Offers Alerts, Eliminate server performance problems, Multiple location monitoring, 100 free sensors, and more
  • It provides customer support via Contact Form, Ticket, Phone, and Email
  • Supported Platforms: Windows, and Linux
  • Price: Plans start at $1,799 a month.
  • Free Trial: 30-Days Free Trial

👍 Pros
👎 Cons

Logging events and system status at any point in time.
The cost of sensor-based licensing can be high

Support for most devices
The configuration of alerts is a bit challenging

Excellent for service level agreements and compliance with internet monitoring

User-friendly.

Visit Paessler >>

30-Days Free Trial

Port Scanner is a tool that can check the available IP address and related TCP and UDP. It enables you to track users as well as the connection activity of the device. This application allows you to deploy a bulk configuration.

Port ScannerPort Scanner

Features:

  • Reduce scan run times with multithreading
  • Offers bulk configuration deployment facility.
  • Supports command line to run a scan.
  • Allows you to define a DNS (Domain Name Server) server of your choice
  • Scan configuration can be saved easily.
  • Provides IP Address Management and Network Monitoring services
  • Offers Bandwidth Monitor, and Server Monitoring
  • Seamlessly integrates with Dropbox, Google Analytics, Jira, LogMeIn, Microsoft Azure, NMAP, Okta, OneLogin, Open REST API, Slack, and TeamViewer
  • You can set the reporting schedule frequency of Monthly alerts
  • Offers WAN Killer Traffic Generator, MAC Address Scanner, SNMP MIB Browser, Ping Sweep, Subnet Calculator, MIB Walk, Switch Port Mapper, Ping Software, Config Editor/Viewer, Config Compare, Spam Blacklist Check, and more
  • It provides customer support via Contact Form, Ticket, Chat, Phone, and Email
  • Supported Platforms: Windows, and Linux
  • Price: Plans start at $207 a month.
  • Free Trial: 14-Days Free Trial

👍 Pros
👎 Cons

Options for integration are great
Customer Support is Lacking

Adapts to your needs

Improved network control and less downtime when a failure occurs

An easy-to-use interface

Visit Port Scanner >>

14-Days Free Trial

6) Skyboxsecurity

Skyboxsecurity provides you seamless network visibility across IT, multi-cloud, and physical environments. It is one of the best network scanner tools which is designed to support complex enterprise and large networks.

SkyboxsecuritySkyboxsecurity

Features:

  • This network scanner tool helps you to interact with a model of network topology, security controls, and assets.
  • Solve network connectivity related issues and find the root causes of network outages to ensure business continuity and continuous uptime.
  • You can keep security zones and device configurations in continuous compliance.
  • Offers Bandwidth Monitor, and Server Monitoring
  • Seamlessly integrates with Splunk, bmc, Microsoft, CLAROTY, NOZOMI, AWS, Azure, and CISCO
  • You can set the reporting schedule frequency of Monthly alerts
  • Offers Security Posture Management Platform, Vulnerability and Threat Management and Security Policy Management, and more
  • It provides customer support via Email, Phone, and Contact Form
  • Supported Platforms: Windows, Mac, and Linux
  • Price: Request a Quote from Sales
  • Free Trial: Request a Free Demo

👍 Pros
👎 Cons

Provides very nice dashboards and visualizations
The initial setup of Skybox Security is challenging

Many good modules, including vulnerability control and firewall assurance
Support could be improved.

Logs from multiple devices can be collected

An easy-to-use interface

Link: https://www.skyboxsecurity.com/

7) Beyondtrust

Beyond Trust is one of the free network scanning tools online that finds configuration issues, and missing patches across applications, devices, virtual environments, and operating systems.

BeyondtrustBeyondtrust

Features:

  • This network scanner tool has a user-friendly interface that simplifies integrations and enhances the productivity of your business.
  • It provides patch management and

    IP address management.

  • Improve risk management and prioritization.
  • The tool provides support for VMware that includes virtual image scanning.
  • It allows you to integrate with vCenter and scan virtual applications for security.
  • Offers Bandwidth Monitor
  • Seamlessly integrates with Bmc, CA Technologies, Cherwell, HP, Ivanti, JIRA, salesforce, ISILOG, SysAid, and Zendesk
  • Provides instant Email, and Notifications alerts
  • You can set the reporting schedule frequency of Hourly, Daily, and Monthly alerts
  • Offers Scale Effectively and Efficiency, Seamless Credential Injection™ and Gain Immediate Access to Security Controls, and more
  • It provides customer support via Email, Contact Form, Phone, and Chat
  • Supported Platforms: Windows, Mac, and Linux
  • Price: Request a Quote from Sales
  • Free Trial: 7-Days Free Trial

👍 Pros
👎 Cons

Connect to any protocol from a centralized console
There is a lack of integration for single sign-on

Stay on top of critical business tasks
High licensing fees

Easily manage, maintain, and circulate privileged credentials

Access via SSH

Link: https://www.beyondtrust.com/

8) Qualys

Qualys helps businesses streamline their security and compliance solutions. It also builds security into their digital transformation initiatives. This tool can also check the performance of the online cloud systems.

QualysQualys

Features:

  • Data are securely stored and processed on an n-tiered architecture of load-balanced servers.
  • You do not require hardware to install and manage data.
  • It is one of the network scanner tools which is scalable and provides end-to-end network scanning for all aspects of IT security.
  • Qualys analyzed data in real time.
  • It can respond to threats in real-time.
  • Seamlessly integrates with CISCO, IBM, splunk, bugcrowd, CITRIX, MetricStream, and RSA
  • Provides instant Security, and Email alerts
  • You can set the reporting schedule frequency of Weekly, and Monthly alerts
  • Offers Cloud Platform, Policy Compliance, Infrastructure Security, Web App Security, Cloud Security, Endpoint Security, and more
  • It provides customer support via Email, Contact Form, Phone, and Chat
  • Supported Platforms: Windows, Linux, and iOS
  • Price: Plans start at $199 a month.
  • Free Trial: 30-Days Free Trial

👍 Pros
👎 Cons

Excellent reporting and alerting
It can be slow at times, particularly when scanning endpoints

It has a nice GUI and is constantly updated
Pricey

Setup is straightforward

Support is responsive and resourceful

Link: https://www.qualys.com/

9) Nagios

Nagios is one of the open-source network scanner tools for continuous monitoring. It enables you to analyze network, and infrastructure, and system. It is used for continuous monitoring of systems, applications, services, and business processes in a DevOps culture.

NagiosNagios

Features:

  • It helps you to define network host hierarchy using parent hosts.
  • This tool automatically sends alerts if the condition changes.
  • Nagios enables you to read its configuration from an entire directory, which helps you to decide how to define individual files.
  • It supports implementing redundant monitoring hosts.
  • You can monitor network protocols like HTTP, SMTP, POP, SSH, FTP, etc.
  • This tool offers your network a high degree of scalability, and visibility helping you to solve issues related to multiple networks.
  • Offers Bandwidth Monitor, and Server Monitoring
  • Seamlessly integrates with OTRS, Request Tracker, xMatters, and Jira
  • Provides instant Phone, SMS, Email, and Mobile alerts
  • You can set the reporting schedule frequency of Daily, Weekly, and Monthly alerts
  • Offers Application Monitoring, SNMP Monitoring, Log Monitoring, Windows Monitoring,
  • Comprehensive Monitoring, Visibility & Awareness, Problem Remediation, Proactive Planning, Reporting, Multi-Tenant Capabilities, Extendable Architecture, and more
  • It provides customer support via Email, Phone, and Contact Form
  • Supported Platforms: Windows, and Linux
  • Price: Request a Quote from Sales
  • Free Trial: Life Time Free Basic Plan

👍 Pros
👎 Cons

Alert notifications are super fast
Plug-ins can be tricky to install at first

Email functionality is very good
Auto-discovery is not available

Lightweight

Group or individual alerts can be toggled on and off

Link: https://www.nagios.org/

Nessus is a network scanning tool for analyzing compliance, search sensitive data, website traffic, and scan IPs. This application is designed to make the process of the network scanning process easy and intuitive.

NessusNessus

Features:

  • You can secure your cloud, OT (Operational Technology) devices, and traditional IT assets.
  • The tool provides complete network scanning with unlimited assessments.
  • It offers accurate visibility into your computer network.
  • Supports many plugins that deliver timely protection from new threats.
  • It enables you to migrate to reliable solutions safely.
  • This tool detects the SQL injection attack.
  • Offers Bandwidth Monitor, and Server Monitoring
  • Seamlessly integrates with Amazon Web Services, ARCON, BeyondTrust PowerBroker Password Safe, Blackberry UEM, Centrify Vault, CyberArk, Google Cloud Security Command Center, and Google Cloud Platform
  • Provides instant Email alerts
  • You can set the reporting schedule frequency of Monthly alerts
  • Offers Efficiency and Accuracy, Secure Cloud Infrastructure Before Deployment, Pre-Built Policies and Templates, Customizable Reporting & Troubleshooting, Unlimited IT assessments, Configuration assessment, Configurable reports, and more
  • It provides customer support via Contact Form, Chat, and Phone
  • Supported Platforms: Windows, Mac, and Linux
  • Price: Plans start at $4,000.20 a Year.
  • Free Trial: 7-Days Free Trial

👍 Pros
👎 Cons

Vulnerabilities scored accurately
Vulnerability scanner is not accurate in some situations

Find critical patches for servers and workstations

Visit Nessus >>

7-Days Free Trial

11) Logicmonitor

LogicMonitor is one of the network scanner tools which traces your applications’ predefined data sources to monitor, graph, and alert you about all the trends and events in a single resource for effective application management.

LogicmonitorLogicmonitor

Features:

  • You can work with Windows or Linux operating systems.
  • Get alerts from any browser.
  • This tool provides email, phone, and SMS alerts.
  • Alert routing to notify specific groups.
  • It offers performance graphs.
  • You can manage users according to the role.
  • Offers Bandwidth Monitor, and Server Monitoring
  • Seamlessly integrates with Zoom, Azure, Windows, BROCADE, Autotask, nimble, PagerDuty, Google Cloud, VMWare, ORACLE, AWS, and IBM
  • Provides instant Text messages, Emails, and Voice calls alerts
  • You can set the reporting schedule frequency of Monthly alerts
  • Offers Root Cause Analysis, Dynamic Thresholds, Anomaly Visualization, Topology Mapping, Cloud Monitoring Coverage, and more
  • It provides customer support via Contact Form, Ticket, Phone, and Email
  • Supported Platforms: Windows, and Linux
  • Price: Request a Quote from Sales
  • Free Trial: 14-Days Free Trial

👍 Pros
👎 Cons

Dashboarding is great
Mapping topologies can be challenging

A good chat support system that is available 24 hours a day

Link: https://www.logicmonitor.com/network-monitoring/

FAQ

❓ What is a Network Scanner?

A network scanner is a software tool or application that scans the network for the security misconfigurations in the network devices. The network scanner tool also detects and categorizes all devices in a network by their IPs, MAC addresses, vendor, port, etc.

🚀 Which are the Best Network Scanning Tools?

🏅 Which factors should you consider while selecting the Best Network Scanning Tools?

You should consider the following factors before selecting network scanner tools.

  • Quality of Customer support.
  • The cost involved in training employees on the tool.
  • License cost, if applicable.
  • Product features meet your requirements.
  • Compatibility of network scanner tool.
  • Hardware/Software requirements of the IP and Network Scanner Tool.
  • Support and Update the policy of the IP Scanner tool.
  • Reviews of the company.