Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Nmap VS Port Authority

Compare Nmap VS Port Authority and see what are their differences

Nmap logo Nmap

Nmap Free Security Scanner, Port Scanner, & Network Exploration Tool. Download open source software for Linux, Windows, UNIX, FreeBSD, etc.

Port Authority logo Port Authority

A handy systems and security-focused tool, Port Authority is a very fast Android port scanner.
  • Nmap Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-06-15
  • Port Authority Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-28

Nmap features and specs

  • Comprehensive Scanning
    Nmap can perform a wide variety of scans, including port scanning, service detection, and OS fingerprinting, making it a versatile tool for network exploration and security auditing.
  • Open Source
    As an open-source tool, Nmap is free to use and has a large community of users contributing to its development and improvement.
  • Scripting Engine
    The Nmap Scripting Engine (NSE) allows users to write custom scripts to automate tasks, detect vulnerabilities, and extract information, significantly extending its capabilities.
  • Cross-Platform Support
    Nmap is available on multiple platforms, including Windows, Linux, and macOS, ensuring broad accessibility for users.
  • Large Knowledge Base
    Nmap has extensive documentation and a wealth of online resources, tutorials, and community support, making it easier for beginners to learn and use the tool effectively.
  • Performance Optimization
    Nmap is designed to be efficient and can handle large networks, making it suitable for both small-scale and enterprise-level scanning.

Possible disadvantages of Nmap

  • Complexity
    Due to its extensive features and options, Nmap can be overwhelming for beginners, requiring a steep learning curve to fully utilize its capabilities.
  • Potential for Misuse
    Nmap can be used for malicious activities such as unauthorized network scanning, potentially leading to security violations and ethical concerns.
  • Permission Issues
    Using Nmap without proper authorization can be illegal in some jurisdictions, and unauthorized scans can be considered invasive or hostile by network administrators.
  • False Positives/Negatives
    Like any scanning tool, Nmap can produce false positives and negatives, requiring additional verification and analysis to ensure accuracy.
  • Resource Intensive
    Some Nmap scans, especially comprehensive ones, can be resource-intensive, potentially affecting network performance and consuming significant CPU and memory resources.
  • Network Disruption
    Aggressive scanning techniques used by Nmap can disrupt network services and lead to denial of service, particularly in sensitive or critical environments.

Port Authority features and specs

  • User-Friendly Interface
    Port Authority provides a clean and intuitive interface, making it easy for users to manage Docker containers and images.
  • Cross-Platform Support
    The application is built using Electron, allowing it to run on multiple operating systems including Windows, macOS, and Linux.
  • Open Source
    Being open-source, Port Authority allows developers to inspect the code, contribute to its development, and customize it to suit their needs.
  • Feature-Rich
    The application supports a wide range of Docker management tasks such as creating, starting, stopping, and deleting containers, as well as managing images, networks, and volumes.
  • Dependency Management
    Port Authority handles Docker dependencies efficiently, mitigating potential issues related to Docker configuration and compatibility.

Possible disadvantages of Port Authority

  • Resource Intensive
    Since it is built with Electron, Port Authority can be resource-intensive, consuming more memory and CPU compared to native applications.
  • Security Concerns
    As with many applications that manage system-level resources, there are potential security risks, especially if the application or Docker daemon is not properly secured.
  • Limited Community Support
    The project may not have as large a community as some other Docker management tools, which can limit the availability of third-party plugins, extensions, and community-driven support.
  • Learning Curve
    While the interface is user-friendly, new users who are unfamiliar with Docker concepts may still face a learning curve in understanding and utilizing all the available features.
  • Update Frequency
    Depending on the maintenance and update frequency of the repository, users might experience delays in receiving new features or bug fixes.

Analysis of Nmap

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Nmap is a highly effective and reliable tool for network scanning and security auditing. Its comprehensive suite of features and frequent updates ensure it remains relevant in the constantly evolving landscape of network security.

Why this product is good

  • Nmap is widely regarded as a powerful and versatile network scanning tool. It is known for its ability to discover hosts and services on a computer network, thus creating a 'map' of the network. Security professionals and system administrators use it to conduct network inventory, manage service upgrade schedules, and monitor host or service uptime. Its robustness, open-source nature, and support of a wide range of platforms make it a staple in the toolkit of network security experts.

Recommended for

  • Network security professionals
  • System administrators
  • Penetration testers
  • IT professionals responsible for network management
  • Anyone interested in learning more about network mapping and security

Analysis of Port Authority

Overall verdict

  • Good

Why this product is good

  • Port Authority is praised for its user-friendly interface and robust features that help developers manage and monitor various aspects of their projects effectively. Its capabilities in offering insights and security checks are particularly lauded.

Recommended for

  • Developers seeking efficient project management tools
  • Teams needing strong monitoring and security features for their code repositories
  • Organizations looking for a user-friendly interface to enhance their development workflows

Nmap videos

Nmap Tutorial For Beginners - 1 - What is Nmap?

More videos:

  • Review - Nmap - Review of Scan Types
  • Review - LABS 50 Bypassing Windows Firewall Using Nmap Evasion Techniques REVIEW

Port Authority videos

Cannes Port Authority Movie Red Carpet

More videos:

  • Review - Port Authority Men's Core Soft Shell Jacket review

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Nmap and Port Authority)
Monitoring Tools
84 84%
16% 16
Security
82 82%
18% 18
Network Scanning
77 77%
23% 23
Log Management
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Nmap and Port Authority

Nmap Reviews

The Top 5 Open Source Vulnerability Scanners
Nmap is a tool that scans ports, does service fingerprinting, and identifies versions of operating systems. Nmap also comes with a scripting engine that detects security vulnerabilities. Once these are detected, Vulcan’s platform can help you to prioritize and fix vulnerabilities.
Source: vulcan.io
9 Best Angry IP Scanner Alternatives Reviewed 2021 (Free & Paid)
If you’re a network administrator looking for more depth and raw power from a port scanner, look no further than Nmap. What Nmap lacks in frills and functional GUI it makes up for with sheer command-line based power. If you’re not a fan of strictly just a command-line interface, you can always use Zenmap, which is the exact same software just with a graphical interface. Both...
15 Best Nmap Alternatives Network Security Scanner
Nmap is an open-source tool that lots of IT professionals find useful in their careers. It is a tool that can locate available hosts and other services that they offer within a network. The Nmap program makes use of raw IP packets to find the hosts and services that are available.
10 Best WireShark Alternatives for Android Devices in 2021
Nmap is a popular open-source network scanning app for Android and desktop. While it works on both rooted and non-rooted Android, you get more functionality during a rooted Android smartphone. Like some apps, Nmap is not available on Google play store or their website.
Source: techreen.com
Alternatives to Nmap: from simple to advanced network scanning
This month marks the 20th anniversary of Nmap, the open-source network mapping tool that became the standard used by many IT professionals, but that can be a bit much if you only need to do general network maintenance and are intimidated by its command-line interface.

Port Authority Reviews

15 Best Nmap Alternatives Network Security Scanner
This is a security and focused tool. The Port Authority is a port scanner that performs at an impeccable speed. It allows hosts on networks to be found by users with the display of vital network information about the host and your device.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Nmap seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 200 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Nmap mentions (200)

  • 🛡️ Top 10 Free Penetration Testing Tools Every Security Team Should Use in 2025
    Nmap (Network Mapper) is like a GPS for your network. Scan ports, find devices, and discover what’s alive and vulnerable. - Source: dev.to / about 1 month ago
  • 3 Types of Chaos Experiments and How To Run Them
    Start by mapping out your network’s topology, including routers, switches, gateways, and the connections between different segments. Tools like Nmap or network diagram software can help visualize your network’s structure. - Source: dev.to / about 1 month ago
  • How to Install and Use Nmap in Termux
    If you want to scan a website, Nmap can help you find its open ports, see active IPs, and get other important details quickly. For anyone serious about cybersecurity, Nmap is a necessary tool. To learn more, visit their official website at Nmap.org. - Source: dev.to / about 1 month ago
  • Your First Ethical Hack: Learn Network Scanning with Nmap
    Starting Nmap 7.80 ( https://nmap.org ) at 2025-04-12 00:10 IST Nmap scan report for scanme.nmap.org (45.33.32.156) Host is up (0.24s latency). Other addresses for scanme.nmap.org (not scanned): 2600:3c01::f03c:91ff:fe18:bb2f Not shown: 991 closed ports PORT STATE SERVICE 22/tcp open ssh 25/tcp filtered smtp 80/tcp open http 135/tcp filtered msrpc 139/tcp filtered netbios-ssn 161/tcp ... - Source: dev.to / about 2 months ago
  • The Impact of Open-Source Tools in Cyber Warfare: A Deep Dive
    The democratization of powerful software technologies is a double-edged sword. On one hand, open-source tools empower organizations and individuals to bolster their cybersecurity defenses without incurring steep financial costs. On the other hand, these same tools can be harnessed by malicious actors, leading to a surge in both the frequency and sophistication of cyberattacks. Open-source resources like Metasploit... - Source: dev.to / 3 months ago
View more

Port Authority mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Port Authority yet. Tracking of Port Authority recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Nmap and Port Authority, you can also consider the following products

Angry IP Scanner - Open-source and cross-platform network scanner designed to be fast and simple to use

Fing - Discover which devices are connected to any Wi-Fi network, map devices, detect intruders, assess...

Zenmap - Zenmap is the official cross-platform GUI for the Nmap Security Scanner.

Advanced IP Scanner - Advanced IP Scanner shows all network devices, gives you access to shared folders, and can even remotely switch computers off. Download it Free.

Cisco DNA Center - Find and resolve network issues with Cisco DNA Center. Provides software-based network automation and assurance. Control and manage intent-based networks.

Advanced Port Scanner - Advanced Port Scanner is a fast and free software for port scanning.