Nmap
Free, open-source network mapper for host discovery, port scanning and security auditing.
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About Nmap
Nmap, the Network Mapper, is the standard open-source tool for finding out what is on a network and what it exposes. From the command line it discovers live hosts, scans ports, detects the services and versions running on them and guesses operating systems, and its scripting engine runs hundreds of community scripts for vulnerability checks and deeper probing. It scales from a single host to very large networks. The suite also includes Zenmap, a graphical front end and results viewer, plus Ncat for data transfer and debugging, Ndiff for comparing scans and Nping for packet generation. Official binaries are available for Windows, macOS and Linux, and it builds on many other Unix systems. It is free to download and use under the Nmap Public Source License, with a separate paid OEM licence for companies that embed it in commercial products. The trade-off is a steep learning curve: it is a tool for administrators and security professionals rather than for checking who is on your home Wi-Fi.
Best for: Sysadmins and security professionals who need thorough port, service and OS scanning.
Pros and cons
What works
- Free and open source, with full source code
- Very thorough port, service and OS detection
- Scripting engine with hundreds of ready-made scripts
- Zenmap GUI and companion tools included
Why people leave
- Steep learning curve for non-technical users
- No continuous home-network monitoring or alerts
- Its custom licence has limits on commercial redistribution
Top Nmap alternatives
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Fing Desktop62.6Consumer-friendly device discovery and alerts for home and small office networks.
Why people left Nmap
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Nmap: common questions
Is Nmap free?
Yes. Nmap is free, open-source software.
Is Nmap open source?
Yes. The source code is on GitHub at nmap/nmap.
What platforms does Nmap run on?
Nmap is available for Windows, macOS and Linux.
What are the best alternatives to Nmap?
The highest-ranked Nmap alternatives right now are Fing Desktop. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.