21 Best Network Scanning Tools For Hunting Vulnerabilities On Network (September 2023)

Iam Waqas Last updated: August 31, 2023 Reading time: 19 minutes

Disclosure

The readers like you support Beencrypted to help keep up the good work. When you purchase using links on our website, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you.

A guide to top network scanning tools & software that you can use in 2023

Looking for the best network scanning tools is difficult, especially if you’re using them for the first time. Here is a quick list of the best and most advanced network scanners.

Quick List of network Scanners

WireShark: Free network protocol analyzer capable of analyzing wired and wireless network data.
Nmap: It is a free and open-source network scanner popular among security professionals.
NetScanTools Pro: It is a simple network scanner that identifies devices connected to your network.
ntop Scanning Tools: A free open-source network monitoring tool used to visualize traffic on a network.
Angry IP Scanner: It is a fast and lightweight network scanner that scans local and remote networks.
Fing: A cross-platform network scanner scans your network for devices, services, and vulnerabilities.
ManageEngine: It provides detailed information about devices connected to your network.
Acunetix: It is a commercial network scanning tool designed to detect vulnerabilities in web applications.
Advanced IP Scanner: It can scan large networks quickly and efficiently.
OpenVAS: It is free to use and can be integrated with (OVAL) to write new security tests.
Qualys FreeScan: It is an open-source scanning tool that offers three types of scans for multiple vulnerabilities.
Nikto: It provides rapid testing to identify any suspicious activity in the network.
Retina Network Security: It is free to use and provides security patches for up to 256 IPs.
Nessus: It has built-in plugins which allow it to detect over 50,000 vulnerabilities.
Snort: It is free to use and analyzes the IP address, along with the traffic passing through the network.
Nexpose: It is a commercial tool that scans networks, operating systems, and application databases.
OpenSSH: It creates a secure connection over an unsafe network link by encrypting it.
Paessler PRTG: It allows you to know about your device bandwidth and apps using the source of bottlenecks.
Skyboxsecurity: It is a commercial network security scanning tool designed to detect vulnerabilities in your network.
Site24x7: A free tool for monitoring the overall health of devices on the network.
Solar Winds Network Topology Mapper: It is a tool for visualizing your network and connected devices.

Within a network, a compromised or vulnerable device can disrupt your network security in the long run. Similarly, faulty or vulnerable applications lacking appropriate endpoint security can harm your digital security and data privacy. Therefore, using some of the best network scanning tools is crucial. These tools allow you to scan your network for devices and detect possible vulnerabilities a threat actor might exploit.

Since many network security vulnerabilities lurk over the cyber threat landscape, no “one tool fits all” is available for network security. Therefore depending upon the need and use, you must identify the best network security tools that fit your need. While network scanning is somewhat of a complex task, such tools can make it much more manageable.

How to choose the best Network Scanning tool

When choosing a network scanning tool for vulnerabilities, it is essential to consider your needs and requirements. Each tool has its features, so you must ensure the tool you choose has the features you need. Here are some factors to consider when selecting a network scanner: