Port scanners are amazing tools you can use to discover open ports and the type of communication you can use these ports for. Having sound knowledge of port scanners is helpful if you are an engineer in the niche.
A port scanner sends a network request to connect to a TCP or UDP port on a device and records the response.
How can you know whether a port is open?
If the connection request sent by the port scanner goes through the port, then it’s an open port, else a close port.
Now, people also argue that manual methods are the best, but they are time-consuming.
Why invest more time implementing an error-prone method when you can get the results in a shorter time frame?
In this article, we’ll discuss the best port scanners. This will help you choose the best scanners to check ports.
Best Port Scanner in 2025
- Solarwinds Open Port Scanner
- TCP Port Scanner
- IPVoid TCP Port Scanner
- Netcat
- Nmap Port Scanner
- Port Authority
- Advanced Port Scanner
- Mitec Network Scanner
- Portqry.exe
1. Solarwinds Open Port Scanner
This Open port scanner is one of the best in the market that helps you to check the openness of ports. But there are many advantages to this tool. For instance, you can analyse the SNMP queries and the MIB attributes to check whether your device has proper configuration.
Another advantage of using the open port checker is that you’ll get a list showing the status of the IP address you specify.
You can even test the visibility of a port to make sure the usability is great. What about the pricing?
Unfortunately, it’s a premium tool, but you can always register as a new user to use it for 14 days.
2. TCP Port Scanner
TCP Port Scanner from MyLanViewer is the perfect alternative to the above paid tool because it works excellently and is a free tool.
Hence, you don’t have to worry about the trial period getting expired.
But there’s one bummer. The Port Scanner only works with Windows devices. So, if you use a Mac, then move to the next port.
What are the features of this device?
You can use the port scanner to scan over 10K ports per second and because of its multithreaded capabilities you can save the list of open ports in text files.
3. IPVoid TCP Port Scanner
The IPVoid TCP Port Scanner lets you scan ports associated with IP addresses without installing the application.
It’s an online scanner which you can use with a browser. How can you check the ports?
Simply provide the IP address and the port and the scanner will quickly display the results.
One thing you need to remember is that if you don’t know the port, then the scanner will scan all the ports. But you can only scan ports associated with one IP address at one time.
4. Netcat
If you are looking for a simple tool to scan your ports, then this scanner is for you. This Is because the Netcat scanner is a general utility tool.
It scans networks by reading and writing data across network connections, utilising the TCP/IP protocol.
But this doesn’t stop the Netcat scanner from doing its job. You can still use it to scan ports and identify what kind of communication it uses.
The best thing about this tool is that you can use it on many popular operating systems like NetBSD, Linux, FreeBSD, and Mac OS X.
Does it support Windows?
No, it doesn’t, but you can always tweak it using the GNU coding standards.
5. Nmap Port Scanner
The Nmap Port Scanner is an excellent tool to scan ports and comes with many useful features.
For instance, the scanner lets you check firewall rules and detect open and running services on an IP address.
This scanner helps you carry out penetration testing by checking the openness of the ports. This’ll help you decide which ports you need to close.
It’s an online tool that effectively scans the port and displays the results immediately.
6. Port Authority
This scanner changes the way people used to scan ports. This is because you can use this application on your mobile phone.
How does this scanner work?
The Port authority scanner supports LAN host discovery, DNS record lookups, LAN/ WAN host TCP port scanning and custom port range scans to help you determine whether a port is open.
You can even rely on the speed of the application as it is one of the fastest in the market.
7. Advanced Port Scanner
This Port Scanner helps you scan ports, network devices and the programs running on open ports. You can download it from the internet for free.
Again, this tool doesn’t work with macOS and you need Windows 10 to use it.
If you have many ports to scan, there’s a multithreaded feature that lets you pause the scan anytime you want.
8. Mitec Network Scanner
Mitec Network Scanner isn’t a proper port scanner, but an all-encompassing scanning tool you can use to scan ports.
This tool comes with many useful features like the ability to edit the results, easy to use by both administrators and general users and save a CSV file of the results.
Mitec Network helps customers by letting them use the tool for a little money as long as people are using it for private, commercial and educational purposes.
For instance, you’ll pay 30 euros for the commercial plan.
The Mitec Network Scanner is a Windows-only tool.
9. Portqry.exe
This’s a Microsoft-based command-line interface application which you can use to troubleshoot TCP/IP connectivity issues.
It works only on Windows devices and gives you a report of the status of the TCP and UDP ports. There are three statuses it displays.
- Listening: This means the port is open.
- Non-listening: This means a closed port. –
- Filtered
- You can use this command-line interface application for free.
FAQs About Port Scanners
Now, let’s discuss some frequently asked questions on this topic.
What is a Port Scanner?
A port scanner is precisely what it sounds like. It is a tool that scans the TCP/IP ports to let you know their statuses. A port is open or closed or filtered.
Why Is This Important?
This is because port scanners help network admins and engineers check the statuses of ports and help decide about proper diagnoses and troubleshooting.
Is Port Scanning Illegal?
Port scanning isn’t illegal in any manner, but there are aspects you need to know.
One of the most concerning aspects of using a port scanner is understanding that these tools get exploited by bad actors.
They explore the vulnerability of ports to execute crime. But you need not worry because port scanners aren’t illegal. You can use them.
Conclusion
There you have it. Now, you know the best port scanners. Port scanners are easy-to-use tools that help you know the open-closed and filtered statuses of any port.
You can easily find excellent port scanners in the market. While some of them charge a premium, there are free tools that do the work just fine.
