27 Best Free Network IP Scanning Tools for 2024

Abeerah Hashim  - Security Expert
Last updated: January 1, 2024
Read time: 14 minutes
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This comprehensive list of the best network scanning tools helps you pick the right tool for finding and fixing any vulnerabilities free.

THE TAKEAWAYS

Network and IP scanning constitute the most critical defensive activities for IT admins. While performing these activities manually is exhaustive, thankfully, many helpful Network IP scanning tools exist today that automate the process and ensure delivering precise results. Some tools are even available for free, facilitating small IT security teams. This article lists the best free networking and IP scanning tools available today.

Network and IP scanning tools are software allowing network administrators or users to find loopholes in the environment. That, in turn, is the first step in safeguarding from unexpected and unwanted behavior within the system that can become problematic or even threatening. Securing a computer network is hard, and scanning tools are a convenient help.

This article shares the best IP scanners handpicked for everyday professional use. The list includes both free and commercial software, so you can use them as you prefer.

Quick overview of the best 27 network scanners today

If you are familiar with network and IP scanning and want to know the best tools, here is a list of the 27 picks described in this guide. But if you’re curious to know more details on every option, you can skip this section.

  1. ManageEngine OpUtils. A powerful and versatile scanner that can give you your network’s full picture in real-time.
  2. Security Event Manager. Improves security with emphasis on logs and data collection.
  3. Intruder. The most thorough threat scanner on the list. It emphasizes security and shows you how your network looks for third parties.
  4. Auvik. It’s network scanning made simple and automatic. In addition, it can encrypt the network traffic with the military-grade AES-256 algorithm.