Quick Overview
- 1#1: Lansweeper - Provides comprehensive network discovery, hardware and software inventory, and detailed asset tracking across IT environments.
- 2#2: PDQ Inventory - Delivers fast, agentless scanning and detailed hardware inventory for Windows devices with powerful reporting.
- 3#3: Snipe-IT - Open-source IT asset management tool for tracking hardware lifecycles, check-ins, and deployments.
- 4#4: GLPI - Open-source ITSM platform with robust hardware inventory, CMDB, and asset management features.
- 5#5: Spiceworks - Free network inventory tool for discovering and managing hardware assets with monitoring alerts.
- 6#6: OCS Inventory NG - Agent-based solution for deploying inventories of hardware and software across networks.
- 7#7: ManageEngine Endpoint Central - Unified endpoint management with automated hardware inventory, patching, and compliance reporting.
- 8#8: Device42 - Auto-discovery platform for IT infrastructure inventory, dependency mapping, and hybrid environments.
- 9#9: InvGate Asset Management - IT asset management software for hardware tracking, procurement, and lifecycle automation.
- 10#10: ServiceNow IT Asset Management - Enterprise-grade ITAM module for hardware inventory, normalization, and integration with ITSM workflows.
These tools were rigorously evaluated based on feature breadth, data accuracy, user experience, and overall value, ensuring the rankings reflect both practical functionality and long-term utility.
Comparison Table
This comparison table evaluates features of top IT hardware inventory software, such as Lansweeper, PDQ Inventory, Snipe-IT, GLPI, and Spiceworks, to guide readers in selecting the right tool for their asset management needs. By analyzing aspects like scalability, user-friendliness, and integration strengths, users can gain clarity on which software aligns best with their organizational requirements.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lansweeper Provides comprehensive network discovery, hardware and software inventory, and detailed asset tracking across IT environments. | enterprise | 9.7/10 | 9.9/10 | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 2 | PDQ Inventory Delivers fast, agentless scanning and detailed hardware inventory for Windows devices with powerful reporting. | enterprise | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 9.0/10 | 8.8/10 |
| 3 | Snipe-IT Open-source IT asset management tool for tracking hardware lifecycles, check-ins, and deployments. | other | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 4 | GLPI Open-source ITSM platform with robust hardware inventory, CMDB, and asset management features. | other | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.8/10 | 9.8/10 |
| 5 | Spiceworks Free network inventory tool for discovering and managing hardware assets with monitoring alerts. | other | 7.8/10 | 7.5/10 | 8.2/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 6 | OCS Inventory NG Agent-based solution for deploying inventories of hardware and software across networks. | other | 7.6/10 | 8.2/10 | 6.4/10 | 9.5/10 |
| 7 | ManageEngine Endpoint Central Unified endpoint management with automated hardware inventory, patching, and compliance reporting. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.1/10 | 7.7/10 | 8.2/10 |
| 8 | Device42 Auto-discovery platform for IT infrastructure inventory, dependency mapping, and hybrid environments. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.6/10 | 8.0/10 |
| 9 | InvGate Asset Management IT asset management software for hardware tracking, procurement, and lifecycle automation. | enterprise | 8.4/10 | 8.6/10 | 8.5/10 | 8.1/10 |
| 10 | ServiceNow IT Asset Management Enterprise-grade ITAM module for hardware inventory, normalization, and integration with ITSM workflows. | enterprise | 7.8/10 | 8.5/10 | 6.5/10 | 7.0/10 |
Provides comprehensive network discovery, hardware and software inventory, and detailed asset tracking across IT environments.
Delivers fast, agentless scanning and detailed hardware inventory for Windows devices with powerful reporting.
Open-source IT asset management tool for tracking hardware lifecycles, check-ins, and deployments.
Open-source ITSM platform with robust hardware inventory, CMDB, and asset management features.
Free network inventory tool for discovering and managing hardware assets with monitoring alerts.
Agent-based solution for deploying inventories of hardware and software across networks.
Unified endpoint management with automated hardware inventory, patching, and compliance reporting.
Auto-discovery platform for IT infrastructure inventory, dependency mapping, and hybrid environments.
IT asset management software for hardware tracking, procurement, and lifecycle automation.
Enterprise-grade ITAM module for hardware inventory, normalization, and integration with ITSM workflows.
Lansweeper
enterpriseProvides comprehensive network discovery, hardware and software inventory, and detailed asset tracking across IT environments.
Agentless asset sonar that discovers and inventories virtually any IP-connected device in minutes with unparalleled depth and accuracy
Lansweeper is a leading IT asset discovery and inventory management platform that automatically scans networks to catalog hardware, software, and connected devices without requiring agents. It delivers detailed reports on hardware specifications, warranties, software licenses, and network infrastructure, supporting Windows, Linux, macOS, printers, IoT devices, and more. The tool excels in providing actionable insights for compliance, security vulnerability scanning, and IT operations through customizable dashboards and integrations.
Pros
- Agentless discovery scans thousands of assets across diverse platforms quickly and accurately
- Comprehensive reporting, dashboards, and integrations with tools like ServiceNow and ConnectWise
- Strong support for warranty tracking, switch port mapping, and vulnerability insights
Cons
- Pricing scales linearly with asset count, which can become costly for very large environments
- Initial setup and scanning configuration may require network expertise
- On-premises deployment demands dedicated server resources for optimal performance
Best For
IT administrators and teams in mid-to-large enterprises needing automated, agent-free hardware inventory and discovery at scale.
Pricing
Free edition for up to 100 assets; paid subscription tiers start at ~$1/asset/year for Lansweeper Discovery, scaling to $2+/asset/year for IT Asset Management and Enterprise editions with advanced features.
PDQ Inventory
enterpriseDelivers fast, agentless scanning and detailed hardware inventory for Windows devices with powerful reporting.
Dynamic Collections that auto-group devices based on hardware specs, software, or custom logic for effortless organization
PDQ Inventory is a robust IT asset management tool that scans Windows networks to collect detailed hardware, software, file, and registry data from computers and virtual machines. It enables IT admins to create custom collections, generate reports, set alerts, and perform remote scans for efficient inventory tracking. The software integrates with Active Directory and PDQ Deploy, streamlining deployment and maintenance tasks in enterprise environments.
Pros
- Comprehensive hardware scanning including CPU, RAM, disks, and peripherals
- Dynamic collections for automatic device categorization
- Powerful reporting and real-time alerting capabilities
Cons
- Limited to Windows environments (no native Mac/Linux support)
- Pricing scales steeply for very large deployments
- Advanced customization requires some learning
Best For
IT teams in mid-sized Windows-dominated organizations needing detailed hardware inventory and automated reporting.
Pricing
Subscription tiers start at $1,349/year for 250 targets (Standard), up to Enterprise at $13,249/year for unlimited targets.
Snipe-IT
otherOpen-source IT asset management tool for tracking hardware lifecycles, check-ins, and deployments.
Library-style check-in/check-out system tailored for hardware lending and accountability
Snipe-IT is a free, open-source IT asset management platform designed specifically for tracking hardware inventory, software licenses, accessories, and consumables across organizations. It provides tools for managing the full asset lifecycle, including check-in/check-out processes, depreciation tracking, maintenance scheduling, and customizable reporting. The software supports self-hosting for full control or cloud-hosted options, with integrations for LDAP, SAML, and barcode/QR code scanning.
Pros
- Completely free open-source core with no licensing fees
- Robust asset lifecycle management including audits and depreciation
- Highly customizable with custom fields, reports, and API access
Cons
- Self-hosting requires technical setup and server maintenance
- User interface feels dated and less intuitive than modern alternatives
- Limited native mobile app; relies on web responsiveness
Best For
IT teams in small to medium-sized organizations seeking a cost-effective, customizable solution for hardware inventory without vendor lock-in.
Pricing
Free self-hosted open-source version; cloud-hosted plans start at $350/year for up to 500 assets, scaling with asset volume.
GLPI
otherOpen-source ITSM platform with robust hardware inventory, CMDB, and asset management features.
FusionInventory plugin for automated, agent-based hardware and software inventory discovery across networks
GLPI is a free, open-source IT Service Management (ITSM) platform with robust hardware inventory capabilities, enabling detailed tracking of IT assets like computers, servers, peripherals, and network devices. It supports automatic inventory collection via the FusionInventory plugin, which performs agent-based or agentless scans to gather hardware specs, software lists, and usage data. Beyond inventory, it integrates with CMDB, helpdesk ticketing, and reporting for a complete asset lifecycle management solution.
Pros
- Completely free and open-source with no licensing costs
- Powerful inventory scanning via FusionInventory for detailed hardware tracking
- Highly customizable with plugins and extensive reporting tools
Cons
- Complex initial setup and configuration required
- User interface feels dated and less intuitive for beginners
- Relies on plugins for advanced features, which can add maintenance overhead
Best For
Mid-sized IT teams seeking a cost-free, scalable open-source solution for comprehensive hardware inventory integrated with ITSM workflows.
Pricing
Free open-source core; optional paid plugins, support subscriptions, and hosting services available.
Spiceworks
otherFree network inventory tool for discovering and managing hardware assets with monitoring alerts.
Agentless, multi-protocol network scanning that discovers and inventories hardware without installing software on devices
Spiceworks is a free, community-powered IT management platform that excels in agentless network discovery and hardware/software inventory tracking. It automatically scans networks using protocols like WMI, SNMP, and SSH to catalog devices, monitor changes, and generate detailed reports on hardware specs, warranties, and usage. Ideal for small IT teams, it integrates inventory with help desk and monitoring tools, though it's primarily desktop-based.
Pros
- Completely free with no usage limits
- Agentless scanning for quick setup and discovery
- Robust reporting and customizable alerts
- Vibrant community forums for support and tips
Cons
- Scalability issues with very large networks (over 500 devices)
- Limited native support for cloud or hybrid environments
- Interface feels dated compared to modern SaaS tools
- Occasional scan inaccuracies without manual tweaks
Best For
Small to mid-sized IT teams in on-premises environments seeking a no-cost, straightforward hardware inventory solution.
Pricing
Free forever; no paid tiers required for core inventory features.
OCS Inventory NG
otherAgent-based solution for deploying inventories of hardware and software across networks.
Dual inventory method: agent-based for computers/servers and agentless SNMP for network printers/switches
OCS Inventory NG is an open-source IT asset management solution focused on automated hardware and software inventory collection across networks. It deploys lightweight agents on endpoints like Windows, Linux, and macOS systems to gather detailed data on hardware specs, installed software, and configuration changes, while also supporting SNMP polling for network devices and printers. The collected information is accessible via a web-based console for tracking, reporting, and basic deployment management.
Pros
- Completely free and open-source with no licensing costs
- Comprehensive inventory for multi-OS endpoints and IP devices via agents and SNMP
- Tracks hardware/software changes over time with historical data
Cons
- Complex server setup requiring database and web server configuration
- Outdated web interface with limited modern UX polish
- Agent deployment often manual or script-dependent, lacking seamless automation
Best For
IT admins in small to medium-sized organizations needing a cost-free, customizable tool for detailed hardware inventory without enterprise budgets.
Pricing
Free (fully open-source with community support; optional paid support available)
ManageEngine Endpoint Central
enterpriseUnified endpoint management with automated hardware inventory, patching, and compliance reporting.
Agentless network scanning for automatic discovery of unmanaged hardware assets with real-time inventory updates
ManageEngine Endpoint Central is a unified endpoint management platform with robust IT hardware inventory features, enabling automated discovery and tracking of hardware assets across Windows, macOS, Linux, and mobile devices. It provides detailed specifications on CPUs, memory, storage, peripherals, and warranty information, along with change tracking and compliance reporting. The solution integrates inventory data with patch management, software deployment, and remote control for comprehensive IT oversight.
Pros
- Comprehensive agent-based and agentless hardware discovery across diverse platforms
- Detailed reporting, dashboards, and custom inventory views with warranty tracking
- Seamless integration with other IT management modules like patching and deployment
Cons
- Steep learning curve due to extensive features and complex interface
- Pricing scales quickly for large deployments beyond small teams
- Limited focus on non-endpoint hardware like data center servers
Best For
Mid-to-large enterprises with diverse endpoint fleets seeking integrated hardware inventory within a full UEM suite.
Pricing
Free for up to 25 endpoints; professional edition starts at ~$795/year for 50 computers, with per-endpoint pricing (~$1/device/month) and volume discounts for enterprises.
Device42
enterpriseAuto-discovery platform for IT infrastructure inventory, dependency mapping, and hybrid environments.
Patented Auto-Discovery engine that maps hardware dependencies in real-time across diverse infrastructures
Device42 is a comprehensive IT infrastructure management platform that excels in automated discovery and inventory management for hardware assets across on-premises, cloud, and hybrid environments. It uses agentless scanning via protocols like SNMP, WMI, and SSH to catalog servers, network devices, storage, and peripherals with detailed specifications. Beyond basic inventory, it offers dependency mapping, lifecycle tracking, and reporting to support capacity planning and compliance.
Pros
- Powerful agentless auto-discovery supporting thousands of devices quickly
- Rich dependency mapping and visualization for hardware relationships
- Extensive reporting and API integrations for custom workflows
Cons
- Steep learning curve for setup and advanced configuration
- Interface feels dated compared to modern SaaS tools
- Pricing scales quickly for large deployments, less ideal for SMBs
Best For
Mid-to-large enterprises needing detailed, automated hardware inventory in complex, multi-vendor IT environments.
Pricing
Quote-based subscription starting at around $5,000-$10,000 annually for small setups, scaling with number of devices and modules.
InvGate Asset Management
enterpriseIT asset management software for hardware tracking, procurement, and lifecycle automation.
Powerful data normalization engine that standardizes hardware and software data from diverse sources for accurate, reliable inventory tracking
InvGate Asset Management is a robust IT asset management platform designed for tracking and managing hardware and software inventories across on-premises, cloud, and hybrid environments. It features automated discovery via agents or agentless scanning, detailed hardware specifications capture, and lifecycle management tools to monitor depreciation and warranties. The solution integrates seamlessly with InvGate Service Desk, providing a unified view for IT operations and compliance reporting.
Pros
- Automated agentless and agent-based discovery for comprehensive hardware inventory
- Advanced reporting and customizable dashboards for asset insights
- Strong integration with CMDB and service desk for streamlined IT workflows
Cons
- Pricing is quote-based and can be costly for small organizations
- Advanced customization requires technical expertise
- Limited native support for mobile device management compared to specialized tools
Best For
Mid-sized enterprises seeking an integrated IT asset management solution with service desk capabilities.
Pricing
Quote-based subscription pricing, typically starting at around $25 per asset/month or per technician annually; volume discounts available.
ServiceNow IT Asset Management
enterpriseEnterprise-grade ITAM module for hardware inventory, normalization, and integration with ITSM workflows.
CMDB-powered Hardware Asset Normalization and Reconciliation Engine for accurate, deduplicated inventory across hybrid environments
ServiceNow IT Asset Management (ITAM) is a robust module within the ServiceNow platform designed for tracking, managing, and optimizing IT hardware assets throughout their lifecycle. It integrates with the Configuration Management Database (CMDB) for automated discovery, normalization, and reconciliation of hardware inventory data from multiple sources. The solution supports compliance, depreciation tracking, and procurement integration, making it suitable for enterprise-scale hardware inventory needs.
Pros
- Seamless integration with CMDB and broader ITSM tools for unified asset visibility
- Advanced automation for discovery, normalization, and lifecycle management
- Comprehensive reporting and analytics for hardware compliance and cost optimization
Cons
- Steep learning curve and complex setup requiring skilled administrators
- High implementation costs and long deployment timelines
- Overkill and expensive for small to mid-sized organizations focused solely on hardware inventory
Best For
Large enterprises with existing ServiceNow deployments needing integrated ITAM within a full ITSM ecosystem.
Pricing
Custom enterprise subscription pricing; typically starts at $100+/user/month with ITAM as an add-on module, often totaling $50,000+ annually based on scale.
Conclusion
Evaluating top IT hardware inventory tools reveals standout options, with Lansweeper leading as the top choice, offering comprehensive network discovery and detailed asset tracking. PDQ Inventory follows, excelling in fast, agentless scanning for Windows devices, while Snipe-IT stands out as a robust open-source solution for managing hardware lifecycles and deployments. Each caters to distinct needs, ensuring the right fit for any IT environment.
Explore Lansweeper today to unlock streamlined hardware management and take control of your inventory processes effortlessly.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison