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OpenSignal VS Nmap

Compare OpenSignal VS Nmap and see what are their differences

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Contents:
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OpenSignal logo OpenSignal

Mobile analytics and insights on wireless connectivity from Opensignal, the independent global standard for understanding the true state of the world's mobile network.

Nmap logo Nmap

Nmap Free Security Scanner, Port Scanner, & Network Exploration Tool. Download open source software for Linux, Windows, UNIX, FreeBSD, etc.
  • OpenSignal Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-06-20
  • Nmap Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-06-15

OpenSignal features and specs

  • Comprehensive Data Collection
    OpenSignal collects data from millions of devices worldwide, providing a broad and detailed overview of mobile network performance.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The application offers a simple and intuitive interface, making it easy for users to access and understand the data presented.
  • Independent Analysis
    As an independent company, OpenSignal provides unbiased insights into network speed and reliability, which can help consumers make informed decisions.
  • Global Coverage
    OpenSignal provides network performance reports for numerous countries across the globe, making it a valuable tool for international travelers.
  • Regular Updates
    The app frequently updates its data to reflect the most current assessments of network providers’ performances.

Possible disadvantages of OpenSignal

  • Battery Usage
    The app may consume a considerable amount of battery life as it requires constant data collection in the background.
  • Privacy Concerns
    Users might be wary of sharing their location data, even though OpenSignal ensures that data is anonymized.
  • Data Plan Usage
    Continuous data collection could result in higher data usage, potentially affecting users with limited data plans.
  • Coverage Limitations in Sparse Areas
    In less-populated or rural regions, the data collection might be less comprehensive due to fewer contributing users.
  • Variable Data Accuracy
    As data largely depends on user participation and device distribution, accuracy can vary, particularly in less densely populated areas.

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.

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

OpenSignal videos

+ Add

What is OpenSignal? How are mobile networks measured? (Telugu)

Nmap videos

+ Add

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

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to OpenSignal and Nmap)

OpenSignal

Nmap

Wi-Fi
100 100%
Wi-Fi
0% 0
Monitoring Tools
0 0%
Monitoring Tools
100% 100
Tool
100 100%
Tool
0% 0
Security
0 0%
Security
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

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

OpenSignal Reviews

We have no reviews of OpenSignal yet.
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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...
Source: www.comparitech.com
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.
Source: technicalustad.com
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.
Source: www.networkworld.com

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Nmap seems to be a lot more popular than OpenSignal. While we know about 200 links to Nmap, we've tracked only 5 mentions of OpenSignal. 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.

OpenSignal mentions (5)

  • Coverage Critic Coverage Map - Compare Coverage From The Major Networks
    Check cellmapper.net this is the site I always go to ..... Secoond to opensignal.com to get "real device mapping"..... unfortunately both sites are only good as the "users" who have used their respective "apps" around your locale.....though. but through word of mouth the coverage mapping will get better. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Just started working electronics 4 days ago. Any tips from any veterans? Or useful info
    I always tell people about opensignal.com as well as cellmapper.net if they are curious "which network is the best" - it can be complicated for some customers! So tread lightyly or you will end up in "tech support hell" with an 80 year old....lol. Source: over 3 years ago
  • What’s the most reliable service provider in the DC metropolitan area?
    Have you checkd cellmapper.net? or opensignal.com? Unfurtnately the service(s) are only as good as the people that have used the "apps" in that region though....I know when I switched from Virgin Mobile USA to metro years ago, and then to family mobile I used both sites to compare coverage, and it's kinda technical, but interesting....to check your home address, work address, etc.....it's definitely far more... Source: almost 4 years ago
  • FortiGate-40F-3G4G - antenna replacement
    Https://opensignal.com/ - Crowd based signal mapping. Useful for finding generalized signal strength by carrier based on location. Source: about 4 years ago
  • Considering Spectrum Mobile?
    But I'd defintely play around with cellmapper.net and opensignal.com in your local area and see, but verizon is pretttty solid. Source: about 4 years ago

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
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What are some alternatives?

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

OpenCellID - OpenCelliD is the largest Open Database of Cell Towers & their locations. You can geolocate IoT & Mobile devices without GPS, explore Mobile Operator coverage and more!

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

wigle.net - WiGLE (Wireless Geographic Logging Engine)

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

Android IMSI-Catcher Detector - Detect attacks of fake base stations such as IMSI-Catcher and StingRay on your GSM/UMTS network.

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.

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