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NetsCLI

netscli.com

Free plan WindowsmacOSLinux
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Spec score 8.3 #5 of 26 in Port Scanner Software

What it is

NetsCLI is an open-source network scanner for discovering LAN devices, scanning TCP and UDP ports, querying DNS, and inspecting hosts. It runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows, with a desktop app, terminal UI, command-line interface, and MCP server built on one Rust core. The desktop app supports multiple investigation tabs, sortable and filterable results, exports, and scan history. Discovery can add reverse DNS, ARP cache details, MAC addresses, and device makers when the operating system has that information. Network operations in the CLI support JSON and YAML output; list commands also support CSV and Markdown. The MCP server runs over stdio and exposes structured network tools to compatible AI clients, including Claude Code and Cursor. NetsCLI is MIT-licensed and free for personal, open-source, and commercial use. Its binaries and installers are said to be checksummed and signed with Sigstore cosign. Packet capture requires separate downloads and libpcap on Linux or macOS, or Npcap on Windows. It does not provide remote administration and lacks advanced service detection, NSE scripts, and OS fingerprinting.

Spec sheet

Purpose
NetsCLI is an open-source Rust network scanner for discovering LAN hosts, scanning TCP and UDP ports, querying DNS, and inspecting hosts.Read 5 Oct 2026 · netscli.com
Platforms
The CLI and terminal UI are published for Windows, macOS, and Linux; the desktop app is available for those systems as well.Read 5 Oct 2026 · netscli.com
Integrations
The MCP server runs over stdio and exposes structured tools for network discovery, scanning, ping, DNS, ARP, host inspection, sweeps, interfaces, and mDNS discovery.Read 4 Oct 2026 · netscli.com
Maker
The site credits Felix Stubner as the maker.Read 4 Oct 2026 · netscli.com
AI integrations
The stdio MCP server exposes structured local network tools for compatible AI clients, including Claude Code and Cursor.Read 5 Oct 2026 · netscli.com
CLI output
Network operations support JSON and YAML output, while lists also support CSV and Markdown.Read 4 Oct 2026 · netscli.com
Desktop app
The desktop app supports multiple investigation tabs and lets users sort, filter, export, and review scan history.Read 4 Oct 2026 · netscli.com
Desktop features
The desktop app supports multiple investigation tabs, sortable and filterable results, exports, and scan history.Read 5 Oct 2026 · netscli.com
Download integrity
The site says every binary and installer is checksummed and signed with Sigstore cosign, and links to download verification instructions.Read 4 Oct 2026 · netscli.com
Download verification
The maker says every binary and installer is checksummed and signed with Sigstore cosign.Read 5 Oct 2026 · netscli.com
Feature limits
The maker says NetsCLI does not provide remote administration and lacks advanced service detection, NSE scripts, and OS fingerprinting available in nmap.Read 5 Oct 2026 · netscli.com
Host discovery
Discovery can add reverse DNS, ARP cache data, MAC addresses, and device makers when the operating system has that information.Read 5 Oct 2026 · netscli.com
License and cost
NetsCLI is MIT-licensed and free for personal, open-source, and commercial use.Read 4 Oct 2026 · netscli.com
Network tools
MCP tools include discovery, port scanning, ping, DNS, ARP, host inspection, network sweep, interface listing, and mDNS discovery.Read 5 Oct 2026 · netscli.com
Notable limits
The site says NetsCLI does not provide remote administration and lacks advanced service detection, NSE scripts, and OS fingerprinting compared with nmap.Read 4 Oct 2026 · netscli.com
Open source
NetsCLI is MIT-licensed, and its library and MCP server are published on crates.io for Rust projects.Read 5 Oct 2026 · netscli.com
Packet capture
Packet capture is available only in separate packet-capture downloads and requires libpcap on Linux or macOS, or Npcap on Windows.Read 5 Oct 2026 · netscli.com
Packet capture requirement
Packet capture is available only in separate packet-capture downloads and requires libpcap on Linux or macOS, or Npcap on Windows.Read 4 Oct 2026 · netscli.com
Structured output
CLI network operations support JSON and YAML output, while list commands also support CSV and Markdown.Read 5 Oct 2026 · netscli.com
Ways to use it
It offers a desktop app, terminal UI, command-line interface, and MCP server on one Rust core.Read 5 Oct 2026 · netscli.com
Who it is for
The maker describes CLI use for repeatable diagnostics and automation and MCP use for AI agents that need local network tools.Read 5 Oct 2026 · netscli.com

Plans and prices

NetsCLI Free Free for personal, open-source, and commercial use · MIT-licensed Read 5 Oct 2026 · netscli.com

Every NetsCLI plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows
  • Desktop app includes scan history and exports
  • CLI supports JSON and YAML output
  • Free for commercial use under the MIT license

Limits

  • Packet capture requires separate downloads and dependencies
  • No remote administration
  • Lacks NSE scripts and OS fingerprinting

Who it suits

NetsCLI suits people who need local network discovery and repeatable diagnostics or automation. Its MCP server is intended for AI agents that need local network tools.

Verdict

NetsCLI offers several ways to work with local network scans, including an MCP server and a desktop app. Its stated limits matter if you need remote administration or the advanced detection features it lacks.

Where Specifiction places it

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