Top 10 Best Network Scanning Software of 2026

Nmap (Network Mapper) is a free, open-source tool widely regarded as the gold standard for network discovery and security auditing. It excels in host discovery, port scanning with multiple techniques (TCP SYN, UDP, etc.), service version detection, OS fingerprinting, and topology mapping. The Nmap Scripting Engine (NSE) allows for extensive customization with thousands of scripts for vulnerability scanning, brute-forcing, and more, making it indispensable for penetration testing and network reconnaissance.

Nessus, developed by Tenable, is a leading vulnerability scanner that performs comprehensive assessments of networks, hosts, cloud environments, and web applications to identify vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, and compliance issues. It leverages a vast library of over 180,000 plugins that are updated daily to detect the latest threats. The tool supports authenticated scans, malware detection, and customizable reporting for remediation prioritization.

OpenVAS, provided by Greenbone Networks, is an open-source vulnerability scanner designed for comprehensive network security assessments. It scans hosts, networks, and services for thousands of known vulnerabilities using a regularly updated feed of Network Vulnerability Tests (NVTs). The tool generates detailed reports with severity ratings, remediation advice, and supports authenticated and unauthenticated scans for thorough coverage.

Angry IP Scanner is a free, open-source network scanning tool that rapidly scans IP address ranges to identify active hosts, resolve hostnames, detect MAC addresses, and check for open ports. It offers customizable fetchers for additional details like web server detection, NetBIOS info, and shared folders, making it suitable for basic network discovery and inventory. Cross-platform compatibility ensures it works on Windows, macOS, and Linux, with results exportable to CSV, TXT, or XML formats.

Advanced IP Scanner is a free, lightweight Windows tool designed for scanning local networks to discover connected devices, displaying details like IP addresses, MAC addresses, hostnames, manufacturers, and shared folders. It enables quick actions such as remote shutdown, Wake-on-LAN, and launching remote desktop sessions via RDP or Radmin. The portable application requires no installation and exports scan results to CSV or TXT files for easy reporting.

SoftPerfect Network Scanner is a fast, multi-threaded tool for discovering devices and services on local networks using IP, NetBIOS, SNMP, and port scanning methods. It provides detailed information on detected hosts, including open ports, shares, users, services, and installed software. Additional features include remote registry access, Wake-on-LAN support, custom commands, and scripting for automation, making it suitable for network monitoring and management.

Lansweeper is a comprehensive IT asset management and network discovery platform that performs agentless scans to inventory hardware, software, peripherals, and cloud assets across Windows, Linux, Mac, and mobile devices. It provides detailed reporting, compliance tracking, and vulnerability insights to maintain network visibility. The tool automates asset lifecycle management and integrates with helpdesk systems for efficient IT operations.

10-Strike Network Scanner is a Windows-based tool for discovering and inventorying devices on local networks by scanning IP ranges for active hosts, computers, routers, and peripherals. It provides detailed information on hostnames, MAC addresses, shared folders, printers, HTTP/FTP servers, and SNMP data, with support for Wake-on-LAN and remote control. The software generates customizable reports and is ideal for quick audits in SMB environments.

LizardSystems Network Scanner is a Windows-based tool designed for discovering and auditing devices on local networks. It quickly identifies computers, servers, printers, routers, and other devices by scanning IP ranges using methods like ping, NetBIOS, SNMP, and port scanning. The software provides detailed device information including MAC addresses, hostnames, shares, services, and logged-in users, while offering remote management features such as Wake-on-LAN, remote execution, and registry editing.

ZMap is an open-source, high-speed network scanner designed for internet-wide host discovery, capable of scanning the entire IPv4 address space in under 45 minutes on standard hardware. It sends a single probe packet per target and efficiently collects responses, making it ideal for large-scale security research and vulnerability assessment. Unlike feature-rich tools like Nmap, ZMap prioritizes raw speed over comprehensive port scanning or service enumeration.