The Best Port Scanner Software in 2026
We researched port scanner software through official websites, including pricing pages, plan tables, and product documentation. Rankings reflect each product’s core port-scanning capability, value for money, and verified features for discovering open ports and exposed services across hosts and networks.
Our top picks
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Top ranked
Nmap#1 of 269.4/10A mature, broad port scanner with deep command-line capabilities and useful companion tools.
Free plan
-
Runner-up
Naabu#2 of 269.1/10A free, CLI-focused scanner for internet-scale port and service discovery.
Free plan
-
Top-ranked free plan
ScanSearch#3 of 268.9/10A cloud scanner for internet exposure, vulnerability matching, monitoring, and API-driven workflows.
Free plan
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
The full ranking 26 tools, best first
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Best forBroad, mature free scanning across major platforms
A mature, broad port scanner with deep command-line capabilities and useful companion tools.
9.4/10★★★★★Visit Nmap -
Best forInternet-scale CLI scanning with integrations
A free, CLI-focused scanner for internet-scale port and service discovery.
- API access
- Service detection
9.1/10★★★★★Visit Naabu -
Best forManaged attack-surface and vulnerability scanning
A cloud scanner for internet exposure, vulnerability matching, monitoring, and API-driven workflows.
- OS detection
- Scheduled scans
- API access
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit ScanSearch -
Best forTeams needing hosted recurring scans and reporting
Hosted recurring scans, reporting, and security workflows for infrastructure teams.
- Scheduled scans
- API access
- Service detection
8.8/10★★★★☆Visit HostedScan -
Best forProfessional web-based pentesting workflows
A deep, workflow-ready port scanner for professional security teams.
- OS detection
- Scheduled scans
- API access
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit Pentest-Tools -
Best forSimple free GUI network and port scanning
A free GUI scanner for straightforward network discovery and port checks.
8.6/10★★★★☆Try Angry IP Scanner -
Best forHigh-speed internet-scale SYN scanning
A free, open-source CLI for fast, large-range SYN scanning.
- Service detection
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit Masscan -
Best forFast Nmap-assisted network reconnaissance
A free, open-source CLI scanner for rapid reconnaissance and Nmap-based analysis.
- OS detection
- Service detection
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit RustScan -
Best forInternet scanning with banners and TLS details
A focused CLI scanner for internet reconnaissance, banners, TLS details, and resumable results.
- Service detection
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit portwave -
Best forDistributed scanning with stored analysis
A distributed scanner for teams that want stored, enriched network analysis.
- OS detection
- API access
- Service detection
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Unicornscan -
Best forResearchers performing internet-wide probing
A powerful CLI for large-scale IPv4 probing, without deeper service detection.
8.1/10★★★★☆Visit ZMap -
Best forLinux teams scanning at high packet rates
A specialized open-source scanner for high-rate Internet measurement on Linux.
- Scheduled scans
- Service detection
8.0/10★★★★☆Visit Farsight -
Best forFree hosted scans with API automation
A free hosted TCP scanner with deep scans, service detection, and API automation.
- API access
- Service detection
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit PortScan.com -
Best forLow-cost occasional hosted Nmap scans
A low-cost hosted Nmap option for occasional internet-facing scans.
- OS detection
- Service detection
7.8/10★★★★☆Try Nmap Online Scan -
Best forFree network diagnostics with structured output
A free, open-source scanner for structured network inspection across major desktop platforms.
- Service detection
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit NetsCLI -
Best forAuditable desktop scanning on Windows or Linux
A focused, auditable scanner for TCP reconnaissance, inventory, and compliance work.
- Service detection
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forWindows users wanting scanning plus utilities
A capable free Windows scanner with useful remote and network utilities.
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forAndroid LAN and WAN scanning
A capable free Android scanner for LAN discovery and LAN/WAN TCP checks.
- Service detection
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit Google Play -
Best forQuick free external exposure checks
A practical free check for common TCP exposure, with service detection and remediation guidance.
- Service detection
7.3/10★★★★☆Try PortScannerLabs -
Best forLow-cost basic hosted TCP checks
A low-cost hosted scanner for common-port checks, automation, and firewall exposure analysis.
- Scheduled scans
- API access
7.2/10★★★★☆Visit HackerTarget -
Best forBasic one-time Windows desktop scans
A focused Windows port scanner for basic one-time host and range checks.
6.8/10★★★☆☆Visit Sobolsoft -
Best forWindows teams needing a commercial desktop scanner
A capable Windows desktop scanner, but its $1,997 starting price limits its value.
- Service detection
6.7/10★★★☆☆Visit SolarWinds -
Best forDevelopers embedding TCP/UDP scanning in Windows
A focused Windows development component for embedding network port scans.
- API access
- Service detection
6.6/10★★★☆☆Visit site -
Best forWindows malware cleanup
A free malware-removal utility, not a port scanner.
3.0/10★★☆☆☆Visit Microsoft -
Best forReact and JSX accessibility checks
A focused JSX accessibility plugin, not a port scanning tool.
2.0/10★☆☆☆☆Visit jsx-eslint -
Best forBasic desktop video editing
A free video editor, but not a port scanner.
1.0/10☆☆☆☆☆Visit Avidemux
No tools match those filters.
Compare at a glance
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Deployment | Scan scope | Service detection | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nmap | Yes | Free | Desktop | 9.4 | ||
| 2 | Naabu | Yes | Free | Cli | Internet | Yes | 9.1 |
| 3 | ScanSearch | Yes | $39/mo | Cloud | Internet | Yes | 8.9 |
| 4 | HostedScan Security | No | $39/mo | Cloud | Internet | Yes | 8.8 |
| 5 | Pentest-Tools Port Scanner | Yes | $95/mo | Cloud | Internet | Yes | 8.7 |
| 6 | Angry IP Scanner | Yes | Free | Desktop | 8.6 | ||
| 7 | Masscan | Yes | Free | Cli | Internet | Yes | 8.5 |
| 8 | RustScan | Yes | Free | Cli | Network | Yes | 8.4 |
| 9 | portwave | Yes | Free | Cli | Internet | Yes | 8.3 |
| 10 | Unicornscan | Yes | Free | Cli | Network | Yes | 8.2 |
| 11 | ZMap | Yes | Free | Cli | Internet | No | 8.1 |
| 12 | Farsight | Yes | Free | Self-hosted | Internet | Yes | 8.0 |
| 13 | PortScan.com | Yes | Free | Cloud | Host | Yes | 7.9 |
| 14 | Nmap Online Scan | Yes | $4.99/mo | Cloud | Internet | Yes | 7.8 |
| 15 | NetsCLI | Yes | Free | Cli | Network | Yes | 7.7 |
| 16 | Sherlock Forensics Port Scanner | Yes | Free | Desktop | Network | Yes | 7.6 |
| 17 | Advanced Port Scanner | Yes | Free | Desktop | 7.5 | ||
| 18 | Port Authority | Yes | Free | Internet | Yes | 7.4 | |
| 19 | PortScannerLabs | Yes | Free | Cloud | Internet | Yes | 7.3 |
| 20 | HackerTarget TCP Port Scan | Yes | $10/mo | Cloud | Internet | No | 7.2 |
| 21 | Port Scanner Software | $19.99 one-time | Desktop | Host | 6.8 | ||
| 22 | SolarWinds Port Scanner | No | Desktop | Network | Yes | 6.7 | |
| 23 | Port Scanner ActiveX Control | No | Desktop | Network | Yes | 6.6 | |
| 24 | Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool | Yes | Free | 3.0 | |||
| 25 | eslint-plugin-jsx-a11y | Yes | Free | 2.0 | |||
| 26 | Avidemux | Yes | Free | 1.0 |
Head-to-head All 28 comparisons →
- Nmap vs Naabu
- Nmap vs ScanSearch
- Nmap vs HostedScan Security
- Nmap vs Pentest-Tools Port Scanner
- Nmap vs Angry IP Scanner
- Nmap vs Masscan
- Nmap vs RustScan
- Naabu vs ScanSearch
- Naabu vs HostedScan Security
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How we rank port scanner software
Every tool on this page was researched by iTechGuides Editors from its official website — pricing pages, plan tables and product documentation. We rank on how well each one does this category's core job, what the free or entry plan includes, and where it falls short. Where we have enough verified facts, the score out of 10 is a rubric — job fit, value and how much we could verify — shown with its breakdown on every tool's page; a tool we have not verified enough to score yet shows its rank without a number. Scores are re-checked when a product changes its plans. Read the full editorial policy, or submit a tool we missed.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update