Leaving ports unsecured is like leaving the doors unlocked in a bank. Yet over 53% of companies confess to having unpatched vulnerabilities linked to open ports. And no wonder — tracking sprawling hybrid networks with thousands of endpoints manually for misconfigurations is no mean feat.
This is where port scanners come in. By automatically scanning IP addresses and ports, admins can plug security gaps before attackers exploit them.
So whether you manage a large enterprise network or a small business setup, this guide aims to help you pick the right port scanning tools for security and compliance.
Why Port Scanning Matters
Let‘s first understand why port scanning is indispensable for security:
✅ Detect policy violations: Scan for shadow IT services, P2P apps, crypto miners etc. running without approval
✅ Uncover unpatched services: Known vulnerable services like SMBv1, TLS 1.0, SNMP v1/2 expose huge risk
✅ Meet compliance mandates: Standards like PCI DSS explicitly require port scanning for compliance
✅ Thwart attacks: Bad actors lean heavily on tools like Shodan to find insecure ports for initial access
These reasons and the surge in exploits like Log4j make regular port scanning crucial.
And without the right tools, this can be challenging given the scale of modern networks spanning:
- 1000s of on-premise servers/endpoints
- Expanding cloud infrastructure and SaaS apps
- Remote workers and branch offices
- Network-connected critical systems like HVAC, access controls etc.
By automating scans across such heterogeneous environments, administrators can stay on top of things.
Now let‘s see 12 advanced port scanning tools designed to make your job easier.
Overview of Port Scanning Techniques
There are several techniques used by modern scanners to uncover open ports stealthily:
TCP Connect Scanning: Completes a full 3-way TCP handshake with each scanned port. Reliable but easily detected.
TCP SYN Scanning: Only sends a SYN packet and listens for a response. Fastest and stealthiest method, avoiding full connections.
UDP Scanning: Tests UDP ports by sending dummy UDP packets and awaiting ICMP errors in response.
IPID Scanning: Infers open ports by analyzing IPID patterns in TCP RST packets from the target.
Advanced scanners provide granular control across these scan types.
Next, let‘s explore 12 feature-packed port scanners suitable for all levels of network and security admins.
1. Nmap: The Gold Standard for Open Source Scanning
Nmap is likely the most powerful and popular free port scanner used by professionals. Boasting an array of advanced scans, Nmap is a Swiss army knife for reconnaissance, monitoring, and detection.
Why Admins Love It
✅ Supports advanced scan types: TCP/UDP/SCTP, IPID Idle scans etc.
✅ Detailed OS, service, and version detection
✅ Powerful scripting engine for exploitation
✅ Cross-platform: Windows, Linux, macOS
Nmap brings deep configurability for advanced users with scripts and Lua APIs. The excellent documentation also allows novices to start scanning out-of-the-box.
Given its free price tag and versatility, Nmap continues to remain massively popular from basic scanning to penetration tests. As the de facto standard, it should be part of every admin‘s toolkit.
2. Angry IP Scanner: Fast, Friendly, Powerful
Angry IP Scanner is a lightning-fast port scanner built in Java by seasoned programmers. Sporting multi-threaded asynchronous scanning and flexible export options, it overcomes limitations of many advanced scanners.
Why Admins Love It
✅ Blazing fast with asynchronous threaded scanning
✅ Supports essentials like TCP SYN, Connect, UDP scans
✅ Imports/Exports host lists in multiple formats
✅ Multiplatform: Windows, Linux, macOS
Despite being free and open source, Angry IP Scanner delivers excellent performance and usability. Both CLI fans and GUI users will like this tool.
The threaded scan engine is the highlight, making it arguably the fastest general-purpose scanner today. Veterans may miss granular control and advanced options like Nmap. But newbies love it for the clean interface, speed, and cross-platform availability.
3. Advanced Port Scanner: Feature-packed Freeware
With a no-nonsense interface, Advanced Port Scanner is built for power users needing flexibility. While the UI looks dated, it offers all essential features expected in an enterprise-grade scanner.
Why Admins Love It
✅ Broad protocol support covering TCP, UDP etc.
✅ Specialized scans like ping sweep, DNS brute force etc.
✅ Import/Export host lists in multiple formats
✅ Highly multi-threaded, blazing fast engine
✅ Option for handy remote command execution
The highlight is its multi-threaded engine allowing up to 64,000 parallel scans for blinding speeds. For seasoned Windows admins, handy options like remote commands, scan scheduling etc. come handy during testing.
While the interface is dull, the tool more than compensates with the features. This makes Advanced Port Scanner a full-blown enterprise-grade scanner available free.
→ Download Advanced Port Scanner
4. NetScanTools Pro: All-in-One Suite for Windows
NetScanTools Pro brings over 60 enterprise-grade network management utilities under one roof. Part of this mammoth suite is a highly advanced port scanner catering from novices to experts.
Why Admins Love It:
✅ All essential TCP and UDP scan types
✅ Specialized scans like TCP rogue scanning
✅ Layer 2 and Layer 3 network discovery
✅ Granular reporting with audit evidence
✅ Integrates with rest of NetScanTools Pro
With both intuitive GUI and CLI options, NetScanTools Pro suits all levels of Windows users. For seasoned engineers, all tools integrate seamlessly avoiding the need for multiple disparate consoles.
Given its premium price tag, mid-sized businesses may find the license investment justifiable given the time and effort it saves. Large enterprises have better options in this price bracket though.
5. SolarWinds Port Scanner: Simplicity Does It
As a popular name in network monitoring, SolarWinds also offers a dedicated port scanning tool. The focus lies on simplicity and ease-of-use without overwhelming users.
Why Admins Love It
✅ Broad protocol support including VoIP scanning
✅ Scheduling and automated scans option
✅ Integrated subnet calculator
✅ Part of full-fledged Orion platform
For engineers already using flagship SolarWinds tools like NPM or NCM, having an integrated port scanner prevents tool sprawl. The ability to schedule and automate scans also suits managed service providers for client networks.
Those not already locked into SolarWinds ecosystem may find the basic scanner lacking compared to free tools though.
6. Colasoft Packet Builder: for Experts
Packet Builder is an advanced packet crafting tool from Colasoft that doubles up for manual port scanning.
Why Experts Love It
✅ Craft and send custom Ethernet packets
✅ Manually build scans like TCP SYN, IPID scans
✅ In-depth packet inspection and analysis
✅ Tabbed interface and protocol benchmarking
✅ Windows only but portable version available
By providing raw access to individual packet fields, Packet Builder lets experts test for obscure vulnerabilities manually. This power and flexibility comes at the cost of the highest learning curve among all tools here though.
So while not everyone‘s cup of tea, Packet Builder finds takers among hardcore old-school network veterans.
7. SoftPerfect Network Scanner: Jack of All Trades
Don‘t let the textual UI fool you. SoftPerfect Network Scanner is a highly advanced IP scanner packed with handy features.
Why Admins Love It
✅ Very fast multi-threaded scanning
✅ Free version available with all core features
✅ Integrated NetBIOS and MAC scanner
✅ Web dashboard for unified cloud access
✅Wake-on-LAN magic packet sender
Available in free and paid versions, it strikes the perfect balance between simplicity and advanced capabilities. For Windows networks, SoftPerfect Network Scanner is arguably the most versatile and rounded option covering all basics.
→ Get SoftPerfect Network Scanner
8. Lazysoft Network Scanner: Lightweight Wonder
Lazysoft Network Scanner offers a reliable multi-platform freeware alternative without bloatware.
Why Admins Love It
✅ Very fast asynchronous scanning
✅ Save reports in flexible formats like CSV, XML
✅ Hosts geolocation and ASN lookup
✅ Cross-platform: Windows and Linux
✅ Portable version available
The built-in GeoIP and ASN lookup can reveal interesting insights about scanned hosts quickly. Running asynchronous scans, its performance matches expensive commercial suites easily.
Overall an excellent freeware choice whether you use Windows or Linux tools.
→ Get Lazysoft Network Scanner
9. fing CLI: Tiny Yet Mighty
For terminal fans, fing brings rapid scanning tools in a micro cross-platform package. Do not confuse it with the fing networking tool for phones.
Why DevOps Admins Love It
✅ Blazing fast asynchronous engine
✅ Neat JSON output support
✅ Available for all major platforms
✅ Ridiculously small 2 MB size!
Making use of the efficient libpcap library, fing makes scanning blazing fast. And at a tiny 2 MB in size, it is likely the lightest network scanner that exists!
If you need raw speed with portability, fing hits the sweet spot. The JSON output also works great with custom automation scripts.
10. Angry IP Scanner iOS: On-the-go Savior
We‘ve all faced those untimely war room calls when outdoors. Angry IP Scanner iOS comes to the rescue by converting your iPhone into an instant network scanner.
Why First Responders Love It
✅ The most advanced mobile TCP scanning
✅ Easy tabbed interface
✅ Favorites manager for common hosts
✅ Retrieval of MAC address and NetBIOS info
✅ No bloated ads or upsells
While limited compared to the desktop version, it packs the most essential mobile network scanner features. The clean UI with tab and favorites support makes it a must-have for systems engineers always on-the-go.
With mobile attacks rising, Angry IP Scanner iOS brings quick scanning to security first responders.
11. Masscan: Blazing Fast with a Catch
Hobbyist Robert Graham (Errata Security) developed Masscan to be the fastest port scanner on earth. It can scan the entire public IPv4 range in under 6 minutes by firing million packets per second!
Why Researchers Love It
✅ Astounding 1 million packets per second rate
✅ Flexible packet size and rate limiting
✅ Lightweight source code with multiple engines
✅ Special exemptions for research scanning
This asteroid-scale scanning does raise ethics concerns though. By following guidelines like the equihash rule to restrict full connections, Masscan prevents abuse for attacks.
Make no mistake – the scanning throughput delivered by Masscan is unmatched by any other TCP scanner yet. Products are still catching up to its speed seen 5 years ago!
12. Rangescan Suite: Unified Scanner Workspace
juggling planning, scanning, and audit reporting tasks? Rangescan Suite by Lab Sensor brings them under one roof to remove tool clutter.
Why MSPs Love It
✅ Unified workspace for IPAM, discovery and more
✅ Multi-engine port scanner with packet crafting
✅ Maps reports to compliance templates like PCI
✅ 200+ IPv4, IPv6 network tools
✅ Freemium pricing that makes sense
By integrating essential tools like port scanning, Rangescan tackles tool overload effectively. MSPs particularly like how it automates audit-ready reports mapped to standards like PCI DSS, ISO 27001, HIPAA etc. Saving months of manual reporting.
If you feel making tools talk is harder than herding cats, give Rangescan Suite a spin today.
Port Scanning Tools: Catering to All Environments
With so many powerful scanners available today, the key is finding one suiting your environment. Here are some recommendations based on common scenarios:
Perimeter Scanning Internet-facing Assets
Nmap, Masscan
Internal Network Audits
SolarWinds, Advanced Port Scanner
Scanning Cloud Assets
Qualys VMDR, Rapid7 InsightVM
Specialized Environments like IoT
NetScanTools Pro, Nmap Scripting
Compliance Mandates like PCI DSS
Qualys PCI, Rangescan PCI Report Pack
And if you prefer mobile scanning on-the-go, keep Angry IP Scanner iOS handy always!
Pro Tips to Avoid Pitfalls
While tools do the heavy lifting, success depends on how you use them. Here are some tips:
💡 Start safely to avoid outages – Scan a test range first before running network-wide
💡 Schedule scans during maintenance windows to minimize disruption
💡 Use multiple scan types like TCP SYN and UDP concurrently for wider coverage
💡 Leverage Automation to set up periodic scans. Don‘t rely on manuals.
💡 Integrate with ticket systems and SIEM for tracking Governance
Key Takeaways to Get Started
With open ports leaving networks alarmingly vulnerable, port scanning remains crucial today. Thankfully modern tools like Nmap, Angry IP Scanner, and Masscan bring power, speed, and flexibility at little or no cost.
As threats turn riskier, ensure your environment stays secure for remote workers, customers, and business-critical systems by:
→ Running regular network-wide scans using robust tools
→ Prioritizing closure of detected vulnerabilities like outdated services
→ Automating reports to demonstrate compliance proof
Stay safe as you secure your assets! Let me know if you have any other favorite port scanners worth trying out.
