Angry IP Scanner vs inSSIDer

Angry IP Scanner is a free, open-source desktop tool for scanning IP addresses and ports. It accepts address ranges, random addresses, or files in any format as scan input. The scanner checks whether hosts respond to pings and can optionally resolve hostnames, identify MAC addresses, and scan ports. It also supports NetBIOS information, favorite IP ranges, web server detection, and customizable openers. Java plugins can extend scanning and data gathering with fetchers, pingers, exporters, and feeders. Results can be saved as CSV, TXT, XML, or IP-Port list files, and a command-line interface is available. It runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows under GPLv2. The maker says installation is unnecessary and that the software can be copied and used anywhere. It is described as particularly useful to network administrators monitoring and managing networks. The FAQ notes that some antivirus vendors have flagged the older ipscan.exe, while saying version 3.x is not detected.

inSSIDer is Wi-Fi analysis software that visualizes nearby networks and helps show how they affect a local connection. For access points, it displays channel, channel width, signal strength, Wi-Fi generation, maximum data rate, and security. Its Channels Table shows channel occupancy to help users identify a relatively quiet option. The software can scan a local network for connected devices and identify the type and name of many of them. It also checks Wi-Fi configuration and describes what is working well, what could improve, and what needs fixing. The free download provides Wi-Fi scanning and visualization and requires a free Oscium account. MetaGeek Plus adds packet capture, RF spectrum analysis, network snapshots, client traffic analytics, cloud sync, and team collaboration; Plus features are currently Windows-only. The free scanner uses the Wi-Fi adapter in a Windows laptop, while inSSIDer is listed for Windows and macOS. A Wi-Fi scanner cannot directly see interference from non-Wi-Fi devices such as Bluetooth, microwaves, or cordless phones. MetaGeek Plus costs $200/yr.