Do you wish to gain visibility and control over your network? Then, you need the best network and IP scanner tools. Crucial especially for network administrators and security professionals, IP and network scanners allow you to discover devices, identify potential security vulnerabilities, and manage your network resources efficiently.
Hence, this article lists and explains the best paid and free IP scanners and network scanner tools we selected after spending weeks researching and analyzing all available options.
We dived deep into network IP scanners to choose the best ones based on their network mapping capabilities, scanning capabilities, IP range input flexibility, vulnerability scanning, port scanning, Security Content Automation Protocol (SCAP) support, detailed and customizable reporting, ease of use, scalability, and many other essential factors.
Hence, let’s walk you through these carefully selected tools, starting with an explanation of what IP and network scanners are and why you need one.
What Are Network and IP Scanner Tools
Simply put, IP and network scanner tools are programs that identify and collect information about devices connected to your network. They help you monitor your network performance, troubleshoot connectivity problems, and spot potential vulnerabilities to ensure security.
An IP scanner specifically scans IP addresses within a network to discover devices and collect information, such as IP addresses, MAC addresses, hostnames, open ports of connected devices, and operating systems. It helps you perform tasks such as mapping subnets, monitoring network usage, troubleshooting connectivity, and maintaining an IT assets inventory by IP address.
On the other hand, a network scanner is a tool that scans the network for information, such as open ports, IP addresses, and potential vulnerabilities, to help you monitor your network health, assess network performance, and identify security risks.
Hence, you can consider IP scanner tools as a subset of network scanner tools with a special focus on IP address discovery.
Now that you are familiar with IP and network scanners, let’s guide you through the best tools for network and IP scanning.
Well-Researched List of the Best Network and IP Scanners
You can choose from the following carefully selected network and IP scanner tools to perform network discovery and mapping, security auditing and vulnerability management, network management, and troubleshooting.
1. SecOps Solution
Meet SecOps Solution. It is a cloud-based network scanner that enhances your network security through vulnerability management, automated patching, and threat detection.
The best thing about the SecOps Solution is its centralized dashboard for easy monitoring, reporting, and incident response with features such as real-time alerts, automated remediation, and continuous monitoring.
Moreover, it is renowned for its rapid scanning capabilities, ease of use, and comprehensive reporting, making it one of the best tools for network scanning.
Click here to learn more about SecOps Solution
Also know: Best Network Optimization Tools and Software
2. SolarWinds IP Address Manager
Next, we have SolarWinds IP Address Manager on our list of the best IP scanners you can download. It offers detailed management of IP addresses, DNS, and DHCP, with features such as conflict detection, automated IP address discovery, and reporting.
Moreover, SolarWinds IP Address Manager boasts seamless integration with the SolarWinds Orion platform, letting you effortlessly manage your entire IT infrastructure from a single dashboard.
Furthermore, it lets you exercise role-based access control by assigning specific permissions to manage various IP address spaces or DHCP/DNS services aspects, enhancing control and security, and offers API support to help you integrate it with other systems and automate tasks.
Click here to learn more about SolarWinds IP Address Manager
3. Nmap
Here comes Nmap on our list of the best paid and free IP scanners and networking scanning tools available. This powerful and open-source network scanner is excellent for network discovery and security auditing.
We like Nmap especially for its high versatility and a wide range of features, such as identification of active hosts on a network, port scanning to reveal open ports on target hosts, detection of the operating system and version on target devices, service/version running on detected ports, custom scanning and security checks, and an option to control scan speed and resource usage.
Moreover, Nmap boasts an option to bypass firewalls and intrusion detection systems and create an inventory consisting of network devices and their configurations.
Click here to learn more about Nmap
4. MyLanViewer
Let’s introduce you to MyLanViewer, another notable network and IP scanner downloadable for Windows operating systems. You can use this tool to discover devices on your local network, view network information, and execute tasks like remote shutdown and remotely power on computers that support Wake-on-LAN.
Moreover, MyLanViewer is a user-friendly network scanner that allows browsing and shared folder access on other devices, scans for and shows details about wireless networks, detects potential rogue DHCP servers on the network, and provides user session management on remote machines.
Click here to learn more about MyLanViewer
5. Nessus
We would now like to talk about Nessus. It is a popular network scanner renowned for its vast vulnerability database and comprehensive reporting capabilities. This easy-to-use software offers flexibility and scan customization, including custom policy creation and scanning specific IP addresses.
Moreover, it offers enhanced threat detection and analysis through integration with Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems, automated scanning capabilities, and a plugin architecture that lets you extend its functionality via plugins.
Click here to learn more about Nessus
Also know: Security Tips to Prevent Malware Attacks
Best Network IP Scanner Tools: The Conclusion
That’s all for the best network and IP scanners you can use to find all connected devices, map network topology, discover hidden devices, identify open ports and services, detect unauthorized devices and applications, assess security posture, verify firewall rules, manage IP addresses, monitor network performance, troubleshoot user issues, keep track of all devices on the network, ensure smooth network operations, and ensure network security.
Still confused about the best IP and network scanner for your specific situation, or have any suggestions/feedback for us? Then, do not hesitate to write us a comment. We will be glad to hear from you.
