Table of Contents

• What Are Network Scanning Tools?
• Why Network Scanning Matters
• Best Network Scanning Tools Comparison
• Detailed Reviews
• How to Choose the Right Tool
• FAQ

What Are Network Scanning Tools?

Network scanning tools are essential security solutions that help organizations identify vulnerabilities, monitor network performance, and maintain robust cybersecurity defenses. These tools serve as your first line of defense against potential cyber threats and network inefficiencies.

Why Network Scanning Matters

• Threat Detection: Identify potential security risks before they become breaches
• Compliance: Meet regulatory requirements and security standards
• Performance: Monitor and optimize network performance
• Cost Savings: Prevent expensive security incidents and downtime

Best Network Scanning Tools Comparison

Top 10 network scanning tools

1. SecOps Solution

SecOps Solution is an advanced agent-less vulnerability and patch management tool that empowers organizations to promptly identify, prioritize and remediate vulnerabilities across their infrastructure and applications.

Features:

• Patch Management
• Supports both agent-less and agent-based SaaS and on-premise deployment modes available
• SecOps Solution provides the status of every individual patch at every stage of the patch process so that the user can monitor the process
• It provides a feature to create custom patch policies as well as gives a few predefined policies for keeping the systems secure
• Our solution offers pre-validated and revertible patches, ensuring one-click deployment and minimal disruption to operations.
• It supports driver and offline patching.
• Vulnerability Management

Pricing: SecOps Solution offers subscription-based pricing tailored to the specific needs and size of each organization. You can contact the SecOps teams for pricing. 

Best for: SecOps Solution is suitable for organizations of all sizes that require a robust and feature-rich vulnerability scanner.

2. Nmap (Network Mapper)

Features:

• Nmap is a powerful open-source network scanner widely used for network exploration and security auditing.
• It supports a vast range of scan types, including host discovery, port scanning, version detection, and OS fingerprinting.
• Nmap can be extended using scripts for advanced functionality and customization.

Pricing: Nmap is free and open-source, making it an attractive choice for both individuals and organizations.

Best for: Nmap is best suited for network administrators, security professionals, and ethical hackers who seek a reliable and versatile tool for comprehensive network scanning and assessment.

Drawback: Nmap's command-line interface may be intimidating for beginners, requiring some learning curve to utilize its full potential.

3. Nessus

Features:

• Nessus is a widely-used vulnerability scanner that helps businesses identify potential security holes and compliance issues in their network infrastructure.
• It provides detailed reports on vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, and malware, enabling efficient risk prioritization.
• Nessus supports both internal and external scanning to comprehensively assess the network's security posture.

Pricing: Nessus offers various pricing plans, including a free version for personal use, but the professional and enterprise editions come with a subscription fee.

Best for: Nessus is ideal for enterprises and large organizations that require robust vulnerability scanning, compliance management, and risk assessment.

Drawback: The cost of professional and enterprise editions might be prohibitive for small businesses and individual users.

4. OpenVAS (Open Vulnerability Assessment System)

Features:

• OpenVAS is a free and open-source vulnerability scanner that performs comprehensive security assessments of networks.
• It offers a continuously updated database of network vulnerabilities, ensuring accurate and up-to-date results.
• OpenVAS is highly customizable, allowing users to configure scans according to their specific requirements.

Pricing: As an open-source tool, OpenVAS is freely available to all users.

Best for: OpenVAS is well-suited for security-conscious businesses, penetration testers, and IT professionals who seek a reliable vulnerability assessment tool without the burden of high costs

Drawback: OpenVAS might have occasional issues with false positives, necessitating manual verification of some results.

5. Wireshark

Features:

• Wireshark is a popular and powerful network protocol analyzer that captures and inspects packets in real-time.
• It helps network administrators troubleshoot issues, analyze performance bottlenecks, and detect suspicious activities.
• Wireshark supports a wide array of protocols, making it an essential tool for in-depth network analysis.

Pricing: Wireshark is an open-source tool and is freely available for download.

Best for: Wireshark is the tool of choice for network engineers, security analysts, and anyone involved in network diagnostics and monitoring.

Drawback: Wireshark's detailed packet-level analysis may overwhelm inexperienced users, making it more suitable for technically proficient individuals.

6. SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor (NPM)

Features:

• SolarWinds NPM is a comprehensive network monitoring and scanning tool that offers real-time insights into network performance and health.
• It provides detailed visualizations, customizable dashboards, and alerts to facilitate proactive network management.
• NPM's automatic discovery feature ensures that new devices are identified and added to the monitoring list seamlessly.

Pricing: SolarWinds NPM is a commercial product and is available under various pricing plans based on the number of monitored elements.

Best for: SolarWinds NPM is an excellent choice for medium to large enterprises that require extensive network monitoring and performance optimization.

Drawback: The cost of SolarWinds NPM might be on the higher side for small businesses and individual users.

7. Zenmap (Nmap Network Scanner)

Features:

• Zenmap is a graphical user interface (GUI) for Nmap, providing a more user-friendly way to interact with Nmap's features.
• It enables users to visualize and analyze Nmap scan results with various display filters and output formats.
• Zenmap facilitates quick and easy access to Nmap's advanced scanning capabilities without the need to remember complex command-line options.

Pricing: As an extension of Nmap, Zenmap is also free and open-source.

Best for: Zenmap is an excellent choice for those who prefer a GUI-based interface over the command line and need to leverage Nmap's capabilities effectively.

Drawback: Users might experience some limitations compared to using Nmap directly, as certain advanced functionalities might not be as readily accessible.

8. Acunetix Vulnerability Scanner

Features:

• Acunetix is a web application vulnerability scanner that detects and prioritizes potential security flaws in web applications and APIs.
• It scans for common vulnerabilities such as SQL injection, Cross-Site Scripting (XSS), and security misconfigurations.
• Acunetix provides detailed reports and remediation guidelines to address identified vulnerabilities effectively.

Pricing: Acunetix is available under various licensing options, including on-premises and cloud-based plans.

Best for: Acunetix is an excellent choice for businesses and developers focused on securing web applications and APIs.

Drawback: The pricing of Acunetix might be prohibitive for smaller organizations and individuals looking for a free or lower-cost solution.

9. Angry IP Scanner

Features:

• Angry IP Scanner is a lightweight and cross-platform network scanner that quickly detects live hosts, open ports, and their corresponding services.
• It allows users to export scan results to various formats for further analysis or reporting.
• Angry IP Scanner is known for its simplicity and ease of use, making it a popular choice for network administrators and individuals.

Pricing: Angry IP Scanner is an open-source tool and is free to use.

Best for: Angry IP Scanner is best suited for small to medium-sized businesses and home users who seek a straightforward and free network scanning solution.

Drawback: While suitable for basic network scanning, Angry IP Scanner may lack some advanced features present in more comprehensive tools.

10. QualysGuard Vulnerability Management

Features:

• QualysGuard is a cloud-based vulnerability management platform that offers continuous monitoring and assessment of network security.
• It provides an extensive knowledge base of vulnerabilities and compliance standards to enhance the accuracy of scan results.
• QualysGuard's scalability and ease of deployment make it an attractive option for organizations of all sizes.

Pricing: QualysGuard follows a subscription-based pricing model, with different tiers based on the number of assets to be scanned.

Best for: QualysGuard is ideal for enterprises and businesses that prioritize cloud-based solutions for vulnerability management and network scanning.

Drawback: The subscription-based pricing might be relatively expensive for smaller organizations.

How to Choose the Right Network Scanning Tool

Consider These Factors:

1. Organization Size
   • Enterprise requirements
   • SMB needs
   • Resource availability
2. Technical Expertise
   • Team capabilities
   • Learning curve
   • Support requirements
3. Budget Constraints
   • Free vs paid options
   • ROI considerations
   • Scalability costs

Expert Tips for Network Scanning

Best Practices:

1. Regular Scanning Schedule
2. Comprehensive Coverage
3. False Positive Management
4. Response Planning
5. Team Training

FAQ

What is the best free network scanning tool?

Nmap stands out as the most comprehensive free network scanner, offering professional-grade features without cost.

How often should I scan my network?

Best practices recommend daily automated scans for critical systems and weekly comprehensive scans for the entire network.

Can network scanning tools impact performance?

Modern tools like SecOps Solution are designed to minimize network impact while maintaining comprehensive coverage.

Conclusion

Selecting the right network scanning tool is crucial for maintaining robust security posture. While free tools like Nmap offer excellent capabilities, enterprise solutions like SecOps provide comprehensive coverage with advanced features. Consider your specific needs, budget, and technical expertise when making your choice.

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SecOps Solution is a Full-stack Patch and Vulnerability Management Platform that helps organizations identify, prioritize, and remediate security vulnerabilities and misconfigurations in seconds.‍

‍To learn more, get in touch.