



Keeping a large network running smoothly is a tough job.
You need to understand what’s connected, where it is, and whether it’s working correctly.
Without the right tools, this can feel like trying to find a needle in a haystack.
This constant guessing game leads to lost time, security risks, and big headaches.
But what if you could see everything in your network, all at once?
We’ve put together a list of the 9 best network discovery tools to help you do just that.
They make it simple to map your entire network, so you can stop guessing and start managing with confidence.
What are the best network discovery tools?
Finding the right tool is a big deal.
The best one will make your life easier and keep your network secure.
It all comes down to what fits your business best.
Here is our list of the top recommendations to help you get started.
1. Atera (⭐️4.8)
Atera is a complete RMM solution. It helps you handle everything from one place.
The platform uses AI features like IT Autopilot and AI Copilot.
This helps you automate tasks and work much more efficiently.
It’s a top choice for MSPs and internal IT teams.
Our Take
Experience Atera for yourself! Join over 13,000 customers in 120+ countries. Reduce tickets by 35% with AI Copilot.
Key Benefits
- Boost team productivity by 11-13 hours each week on average.
- Achieve a 97% patch success rate for secure systems.
- Handle 6 million devices with ease.
- Generate scripts with AI Copilot that are 90% accurate.
- Resolve 50% of tickets automatically.
Pricing
Atera offers a free trial and a range of pricing options. Here is the breakdown:
- MSP Pro Plan: Starting at $129 per month
- MSP Growth Plan: $179/month
- MSP Power Plan: $209 per month
- MSP Superpower Plan: Contact for pricing.
- IT Department Professional Plan: Starts at $149/month
- IT Department Expert Plan: $189/month
- IT Department Master Plan: $219/month
- IT Department Enterprise Plan: Contact for pricing.
Pros
Cons
2. NinjaOne (⭐️4.7)
NinjaOne is a unified IT management platform.
It is known for being powerful and very easy to use.
The platform provides solutions for remote monitoring and management.
It also includes strong endpoint security features.
Key Benefits
- Centralized Control: Manage all devices from a single location.
- Powerful Automation: Automate tasks to save hours.
- Reliable Patching: Keep systems updated and secure.
- Quick Remote Access: Instantly connect to user devices.
- Excellent Support: Get fast help when you need it.
- Warranty Tracking: Track 100% of your device warranties.
Pricing
- Free trial Available
- No public fixed price.
- Contact them for a personalized quote.
Pros
Cons
3. ConnectWise (⭐️4.3)
ConnectWise offers a large set of IT management tools.
These solutions are designed to automate daily IT tasks.
This helps to streamline your entire workflow.
It is a very popular choice for many IT professionals.
Key Benefits
- Full PSA Suite: Manage projects, billing, and sales.
- Robust RMM: Monitor and manage all endpoints.
- Strong Integrations: Connects with many other tools.
- Automated Workflows: Set up tasks to run themselves.
- Detailed Reporting: Get deep insights into your business.
- Mobile Access: Manage on the go with ease.
Pricing
- Free Trial Available.
- No public fixed price.
- Contact sales for a quote.
Pros
Cons
4. N-able (⭐️4.2)
N-able provides a wide range of IT management tools.
It helps MSPs and IT teams manage their networks.
The platform focuses on monitoring and securing devices.
This helps you keep your entire network running smoothly.
Key Benefits
- Comprehensive RMM: Full remote monitoring.
- Advanced Security: Protect against cyber threats.
- Patch Management: Keep all software up to date.
- Backup & Recovery: Secure client data easily.
- Reporting Tools: Get insights into IT health.
- Automation: Streamline routine IT tasks.
Pricing
- Free Trial Available.
- No public fixed price.
- Custom Quote Available.
Pros
Cons
5. ManageEngine (⭐️4.1)
ManageEngine delivers powerful IT management software.
Its products simplify complex IT tasks.
This includes network monitoring and service desk management.
The platform is known for being very robust and reliable.
Key Benefits
- Broad Product Range: Many tools for IT.
- Cost-Effective: Often more affordable options.
- Strong Reporting: Get good data insights.
- Automation Capabilities: Automate tasks well.
- Scalable Solutions: Grows with your business.
- Hybrid Cloud Support: Flexible deployments.
Pricing
- Free Trial Available.
- Custom Quote Available.
Pros
Cons
6. Kaseya (⭐️4.0)
Kaseya offers many IT management and security solutions.
It is a single, unified platform. It helps IT teams automate their operations.
You can use it to manage and secure your entire network.
Key Benefits
- All-in-One Platform: One suite for many needs.
- Strong Automation: Automate routine IT chores.
- Unified Management: Manage IT from one place.
- Built-in Documentation: Access critical info quickly.
- IT Glue Integration: Seamless knowledge sharing.
- Security Focus: Enhance Your Cyber Defense.
Pricing
- Free Demo Available.
- No public fixed price.
- Custom Quote Available.
Pros
Cons
7. SuperOps (⭐️3.5)
SuperOps is an AI-powered RMM and PSA platform.
It combines several features into one modern tool.
These include remote monitoring, service desk, and billing.
The platform is built to simplify your IT tasks.
Key Benefits
- Unified PSA/RMM: All-in-one IT management.
- Modern Interface: Easy to use and navigate.
- Smart Automation: Automate many daily tasks.
- AI-Powered Insights: Get smart suggestions.
- Proactive Monitoring: Spot issues early on.
- Endpoint Security: Keep devices safe and sound.
Pricing
- PSA only: Starting from $79/user/month.
- RMM only: Starting from $99/user/month.
- Unified Basic: $129/user/month.
- Unified Advance: $159/user/month.
Pros
Cons
8. SyncroMSP (⭐️3.2)
SyncroMSP is a full RMM and PSA platform.
It provides a single tool for all your needs.
You can use it for remote management, ticketing, and billing.
This simplifies your entire IT workflow.
Key Benefits
- All-in-One Tool: RMM, PSA, remote access.
- Per-Tech Pricing: Affordable for growing teams.
- Integrated Billing: Streamline invoicing processes.
- Scripting Engine: Automate complex tasks easily.
- Built-in Ticketing: Manage help desk requests.
- Good Community: Get help from other users.
Pricing
- Core Plan: $129/month per user.
- Team Plan: $179/month per user.
Pros
Cons
9. Pulseway (⭐️2.8)
Pulseway is a mobile-first RMM solution
This means you can manage your IT from anywhere.
It gives you real-time alerts right on your phone.
You can even take control of devices remotely.
Our Take
Looking to improve your IT management? Start a free trial of Pulseway today to see the power of mobile RMM.
Key Benefits
Pulseway offers powerful features, especially for on-the-go management:
- Real-time Mobile Access: Fix issues from any mobile device, saving significant time.
- Broad Device Support: Monitors Windows, macOS, Linux, and network devices.
- Automated Patching: Keeps over 220 third-party applications and OS up-to-date.
- Integrated Solutions: Combines RMM, PSA, and IT asset management in one platform.
- Fast Issue Resolution: Instant alerts enable you to detect and fix problems more quickly.
Pricing
- 3 years: $27/month
- Annual: $44/month
- Monthly: $67/month
Pros
Cons
What to look for in a network discovery tool?
Choosing the right tool is key to making your network management easier. As you compare your options, keep an eye out for these important features:
- Network Mapping: Look for tools that automatically create a visual map of your network. This helps you quickly see how all your devices are connected.
- Real-time Monitoring: The best tools don’t just take a snapshot; they continuously monitor for new devices, changes, and potential issues. This keeps your information current and helps you find problems as they happen.
- Detailed Inventory: A good tool should give you more than just a list of devices. It should collect detailed information like IP addresses, operating systems, and software versions. This is crucial for troubleshooting and security.
- Automation: The point of these tools is to save you time. Look for features that automate tasks, like scheduling regular scans or setting up alerts for specific events.
- Security Features: A robust network discovery tool enables you to identify unauthorized devices and pinpoint security vulnerabilities. This is vital for protecting your network from threats.
- Scalability: Ensure the tool can scale with your business. It should be able to handle more devices and more complex networks as your company expands.
- Ease of Use: An intuitive interface and clear reporting are non-negotiable. You want a tool that your team can use effectively without a steep learning curve.
- Integrations: Consider how the tool will work with your other systems. Look for solutions that can integrate with your existing IT management or security tools to create a more unified workflow.
How can a network discovery tool help you?
Using network discovery software is key to managing your IT.
It automatically finds all your network devices.
This gives you a clear look at your network infrastructure.
You get a visual map, or network topology, of everything.
You can see all the devices connected to your system at a glance.
This software works like an advanced IP scanner.
It collects important network data about your network connections.
This helps you find new devices or potential problems fast.
Seeing your entire network topology makes management and security much easier.
It helps you stay in control of your IT environment.
Buyers Guide
When doing our research to find the best product, we determined it using these factors:
- Core Functionality: First, we looked at how the discovery tools work. We examined the core process and ability of each tool to perform ping sweeps and port scanning. We noted whether they could find devices by MAC address and scan entire IP address ranges to map a given network. We also checked how well the tools gathered network information and how easily you could run discovery jobs on a regular basis.
- Features & Use Cases: We evaluated the advanced features of each tool. This included how they monitored network performance, network traffic, and network behavior. We sought an effective device discovery tool that could identify various device types, including routers, access points, and virtual machines. We also checked for features like security auditing and the ability to find open ports. We compared these to other paid and free tools to see what was missing.
- Usability & Performance: We focused on how easily network administrators and users could get visibility into their own network. We checked for performance issues, such as packet loss when scanning large subnets, and how quickly the scan results were produced. We also considered Windows compatibility, ease of access, and the overall performance of the tool.
- Support & Understanding: We evaluated the level of support offered and whether the documentation effectively helped with understanding various protocols. This helped us determine which tools would best assist in managing network problems and provide clear insight into the network, as well as how the IP ranges were being used.
Wrapping Up
Finding the right network discovery tool can make a big difference.
We’ve gone over the best options and what to look for.
Our guide helps you understand which tools stand out and why.
We do all this research so you don’t have to. We want you to feel confident in your choice.
By picking one of these top tools, you can manage your network with a lot less stress.
This will help you save time and keep your business safe and running smoothly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a network discovery tool?
A network discovery tool is software that scans your network. It finds all the devices connected and maps them out. This gives you a complete view of your entire network infrastructure.
Why do I need network discovery tools?
These tools save you time and improve security. They help you find new devices, spot vulnerabilities, and keep a clean, updated inventory of your network without manual work.
What is the difference between a network discovery tool and an IP scanner?
An IP scanner simply lists active IP addresses. A discovery tool does much more. It gathers detailed information on devices and creates a visual map of your network topology.
How often should I use a network discovery tool?
It’s best to use a network discovery tool on a regular basis. You should run scans daily or weekly to quickly find any new or unauthorized devices that have been added to your network.
Can a network discovery tool improve my network security?
Yes, absolutely. By identifying all devices and open ports on your network, the tool helps you spot unauthorized access points and potential security gaps that could be exploited.