NetsCLI vs PortScannerLabs

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.

PortScannerLabs is a free cloud web tool for checking an IP address or domain for common open, closed, or filtered network ports. It flags risky exposures and separates port state from risk level, with links to guidance about the service and ways to close it. The scanner uses nmap with service and version detection for open ports. A default scan checks 12 common TCP ports, including SSH, Telnet, MySQL, RDP, HTTP, and HTTPS. Leaving the target blank scans the user’s public IP as seen from outside the network. Scans with version detection can take up to 15 seconds. No account, signup, or installation is required. The site describes the tool for home and small-business users, IT administrators, developers, gamers, and self-hosters. Users must confirm authorization before scanning another target. PortScannerLabs rate-limits scans and restricts full-range scanning of arbitrary targets for anonymous users. It says it retains only minimal technical logs needed to operate the service and prevent abuse, and does not sell personal data. The Free port scanner costs nothing.