Best Network Vulnerability Scanners in 2026
Updated
In short: Intruder is ranked #1 of 26 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of ManageEngine Vulnerability Manager Plus and NSAuditor AI. The best-ranked option with a free plan is ManageEngine Vulnerability Manager Plus. The lowest first paid tier on this page is Rapid7 InsightVM at $1.62/mo.
To assess security across networked assets, scanners differ in how they find and examine systems. The ranked entries are compared on network discovery, credentialed scans, compliance checks, and agent-based scanning. Asset limits, deployment, and supported operating systems also help define fit for an environment; free-plan availability and paid-from pricing offer cost context. Intruder, ManageEngine Vulnerability Manager Plus, and NSAuditor AI lead the displayed entries. Consider the scope of assets you need to scan and the coverage and operating-system support required, then weigh the listed scanning and deployment details.
26 network vulnerability scanners ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
8 of the 25 here have a free tier you can use, 0 have open-source code on record, and 0 have full bars: free, open, on most of your devices and documented.
| # | App | Signal | Free tier | Open code | Devices | From | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | IntruderWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux · API | Three bars | — | 4 of 6 | Free | 6.6 | |
| 2 | ManageEngine Vulnerability Manager PlusWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux · Self-hosted · API | Three bars | — | 4 of 6 | $57.92/mo | 6.6 | |
| 3 | NSAuditor AIWindows · Mac · Linux | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | $3.25/mo | 6.6 | |
| 4 | OpenVASWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux · Self-hosted · API | Three bars | — | 4 of 6 | €210.33/mo | 6.6 | |
| 5 | NucleiWindows · Mac · Linux · Self-hosted | Three bars | — | 3 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | |
| 6 | Qualys External Attack Surface ManagementWeb · Linux · API | Two bars | — | 2 of 6 | — | 6.5 | |
| 7 | Pentest-Tools Port ScannerWeb · API | Two bars | — | 1 of 6 | $95/mo | 6.4 | |
| 8 | ScanTitanWeb · API | Two bars | — | 1 of 6 | $9.92/mo | 6.4 | |
| 9 | OUTSCANWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux · Self-hosted | Two bars | — | — | 4 of 6 | — | 5.6 |
| 10 | Tenable AgentsWindows · Mac · Linux | Two bars | — | — | 3 of 6 | $291.67/mo | 5.5 |
| 11 | Qualys Scanner ApplianceWeb · Self-hosted | One bar | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.4 |
| 12 | NSAuditor AIWindows · Mac · Linux | One bar | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 13 | OWASP AmassWindows · Mac · Linux | One bar | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 14 | Rapid7 InsightVMWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux | One bar | — | — | 4 of 6 | $1.62/mo | 5.3 |
| 15 | Tenable One Attack Surface ManagementWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux | Two bars | — | — | 4 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 16 | CloneGuard Vulnerability AssessmentWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux | Two bars | — | — | 4 of 6 | $49.58/mo | 5.2 |
| 17 | Rapid7 Surface CommandWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux · API | Two bars | — | — | 4 of 6 | — | 5.2 |
| 18 | ShadowSecurityScannerWindows · Mac · Linux | One bar | — | — | 3 of 6 | — | 5.2 |
| 19 | Tripwire IP360Web | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.2 |
| 20 | Datto Endpoint BackupWindows · Mac | One bar | — | — | 2 of 6 | — | 5.1 |
| 21 | Nipper OmniSightNo platforms listed | No signal | — | — | 0 of 6 | — | 5.1 |
| 22 | OPENVAS SCANWeb · Linux · Self-hosted · API | One bar | — | — | 2 of 6 | — | 5.1 |
| 23 | SecuDASTNo platforms listed | No signal | — | — | 0 of 6 | — | 5.1 |
| 24 | Tenable NessusWindows · Mac · Linux | Two bars | — | — | 3 of 6 | $399.17/mo | 5.0 |
| 25 | Nipper InfraSightWindows · Linux | One bar | — | — | 2 of 6 | — | 4.9 |
Is your app on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which network vulnerability scanner is ranked first on Freedom251?
Intruder is ranked #1 of 26 with a score of 6.6. ManageEngine Vulnerability Manager Plus is second and NSAuditor AI third.
How many of these have a free plan?
7 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, Rapid7 InsightVM has the lowest first paid tier we found: $1.62/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked free-and-open first: a usable free tier and open-source code, then the platforms it runs on and its documentation. Paid placements never change a rank.