Suggestions appear as you type. Use the up and down arrows to choose one and Enter to open it.

This page's audience our own tag's counts — open to see them
–Visits
–Page views
–Clicks to vendors
–Time on page
–Reading now
Clicks to vendors, by tool
  • –
Top countries
  • –
Devices
  • –

– · visits, page views and clicks counted by our own tag, which counts more than our checked analytics; every figure rounded down · how we count

Head-to-head · Port Scanner Software

Nmap vs Naabu

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score Nmap #1 in Port Scanner Software 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Nmap
Naabu #2 in Port Scanner Software 9.1/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 4 features Visit Naabu

Nmap leads on 0 checks, Naabu on 0, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreNmap · 9.4/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresNaabu · 2 of 4

Nmap scores higher on our rubric for port scanner software: 9.4 against 9.1 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #2.

On deployment, Naabu gives you Cli where Nmap offers Desktop.

Nmap is the better fit for broad, mature free scanning across major platforms. Naabu is the better fit for internet-scale CLI scanning with integrations.

  • Nmap fits best

    Broad, mature free scanning across major platforms

  • Naabu fits best

    Internet-scale CLI scanning with integrations

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.

Side by side

Feature Nmap 9.4/10 Visit ↗ Naabu 9.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 9.1
Ranking #1 in Port Scanner Software #2 in Port Scanner Software
Best for Broad, mature free scanning across major platforms Internet-scale CLI scanning with integrations
Pricing model Free Free
Starting price Free plan Free plan
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Desktop, Self-hosted Self-hosted
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux Windows, macOS, Linux
Support Docs Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Nmap 0/4 · Naabu 2/4
Service detection Not checked yet ✓ (best)
OS detection Not checked yet Not checked yet
Scheduled scans Not checked yet Not checked yet
API access Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Specs
Deployment Desktop Cli
Scan scope Not checked yet Internet
Export formats Not checked yet JSON, CSV, TXT, STDOUT
Our review
Pros
  • Comprehensive TCP and UDP scanning with service and OS detection
  • Zenmap adds profiles, result comparison, history, and topology views
  • Free, open-source coverage across Windows, macOS, and Linux
  • Supports SYN, CONNECT, UDP, IPv4, and IPv6 scanning
  • Combines Nmap and Shodan InternetDB with multiple target types
  • Exports JSON, CSV, TXT, and standard-output results
Cons
  • Primarily command-line operated, which can increase the learning curve
  • No built-in AI features
  • OEM redistribution or embedding requires a separate license
  • Local CLI use requires command-line familiarity
  • Service-version detection requires a local Nmap installation
  • Narrower CLI focus than broader port-scanning platforms
Our verdict

Nmap is a free, open-source network discovery and security auditing tool for network and security professionals. It identifies hosts, open TCP and UDP ports, services and versions, operating systems, device types, and network paths. Its…

Read the review →

Naabu is an open-source command-line port scanner written in Go for security researchers, bug bounty hunters, penetration testers, and attack-surface discovery. It enumerates responsive ports across hosts, lists, CIDR ranges, ASNs, and…

Read the review →
  1. NmapPort Scanner Software 9.4Free plan
  2. NaabuPort Scanner Software 9.1Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Nmap — where it wins

    • Comprehensive TCP and UDP scanning with service and OS detection
    • Zenmap adds profiles, result comparison, history, and topology views
    • Free, open-source coverage across Windows, macOS, and Linux

    Where it doesn't

    • Primarily command-line operated, which can increase the learning curve
    • No built-in AI features
    • OEM redistribution or embedding requires a separate license

  • Naabu — where it wins

    • Supports SYN, CONNECT, UDP, IPv4, and IPv6 scanning
    • Combines Nmap and Shodan InternetDB with multiple target types
    • Exports JSON, CSV, TXT, and standard-output results

    Where it doesn't

    • Local CLI use requires command-line familiarity
    • Service-version detection requires a local Nmap installation
    • Narrower CLI focus than broader port-scanning platforms
  • Nmap9.4/10 · Free plan

    A mature, broad port scanner with deep command-line capabilities and useful companion tools.

    Visit NmapFull verdict →
  • Naabu9.1/10 · Free plan

    A free, CLI-focused scanner for internet-scale port and service discovery.

    Visit NaabuFull verdict →

More comparisons

All port scanner software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update