Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Port Authority VS Zenmap

Compare Port Authority VS Zenmap and see what are their differences

Port Authority logo Port Authority

A handy systems and security-focused tool, Port Authority is a very fast Android port scanner.

Zenmap logo Zenmap

Zenmap is the official cross-platform GUI for the Nmap Security Scanner.
  • Port Authority Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-28
  • Zenmap Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-04-01

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.

Zenmap features and specs

  • User-friendly Interface
    Zenmap provides a graphical interface that makes it easier for users to conduct network scans without needing to memorize command-line options.
  • Visualization Tools
    It includes tools for visualizing scan results, such as network topology diagrams, which can help in understanding network structure and vulnerabilities.
  • Profile Management
    Supports saving scan configurations as profiles, enabling quick re-runs of common scans with predefined settings.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    Zenmap is available for multiple operating systems including Windows, Linux, and macOS, making it versatile for different environments.
  • Integration with Nmap
    Leverages the powerful capabilities of Nmap, a well-known network scanning tool, providing advanced scanning options and performance.

Possible disadvantages of Zenmap

  • Performance Overhead
    The graphical interface can add additional performance overhead compared to the command-line version of Nmap, which may be noticeable during large scans.
  • Learning Curve
    Despite its graphical interface, Zenmap still requires a certain level of understanding about network scanning concepts and Nmap parameters to effectively use it.
  • Limited Customization
    While it supports many Nmap features, some advanced customization options available in the command-line version may be less accessible or harder to implement in Zenmap.
  • Security Risks
    Running a graphical network scanning tool can attract unwanted attention on shared or monitored systems as it might appear in process lists or leave trace logs, potentially indicating a security tool is being used.
  • Complexity in Large Data Sets
    When dealing with very large data sets or complex networks, the visual output can become cluttered or difficult to interpret efficiently.

Port Authority videos

Cannes Port Authority Movie Red Carpet

More videos:

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

Zenmap videos

Scan for Open Ports w/ Zenmap - Review

More videos:

  • Tutorial - Zenmap Tutorial - Network Scanning Tool

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Port Authority and Zenmap)
Monitoring Tools
30 30%
70% 70
Security
29 29%
71% 71
Network Scanning
46 46%
54% 54
Network & Admin
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 Port Authority and Zenmap

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.

Zenmap Reviews

15 Best Nmap Alternatives Network Security Scanner
The aim of the Zenmap app is to learning the Nmap tool easy for newbies to use and at the same time giving the best-advanced features to Nmap professionals.
Top 5 Best Port Scanners
Zenmap is not a new port scanner, but the official NMAP Front End interface (GUI). For those who are not familiar with command line terminals, Nmap creators launched this GUI release that will allow you to scan remote hosts in a fancy and friendly way.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Zenmap seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 11 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.

Port Authority mentions (0)

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

Zenmap mentions (11)

  • Upgrading my opnsense setup. Today I am trying to give names to all my devices checking what is connected to my network, need help.
    Another way would be to use nmap from a Linux machine or virtual machine using: $ sudo nmap 192.168.0.1/24 where the subnet address is replaced with yours. They have a graphic interface, that I haven't used, but you might want to test it. It's called zenmap https://nmap.org/zenmap/. Source: about 2 years ago
  • What is this eye icon on the taskbar? Never seen it before.
    I agree with this but the eye is not exactly the same. https://nmap.org/zenmap/. Source: over 2 years ago
  • SSL / TLS scanning utility (internal) ?
    There's also the GUI version if you want. https://nmap.org/zenmap/. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • If OpenSSL Were a GUI
    I... Kind of like it? Not the fact that using such a GUI would be almost impossible, like the humorous example of an "engineer oriented UI" in the Silicon Valley series https://www.reddit.com/r/SiliconValleyHBO/comments/4nvvnl/pied_pipers_easytouse_tools/ which might be confusing for most people. But rather the fact that all of the complexity the software has is laid bare, so that nobody could mistakenly assume... - Source: Hacker News / almost 3 years ago
  • Share your greatest free tools
    I'll have to give Advanced IP Scanner a look to compare, but I like Zenmap so there's another option if you need one! Source: about 3 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Port Authority and Zenmap, 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

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

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

Nessus - Nessus Professional is a security platform designed for businesses who want to protect the security of themselves, their clients, and their customers.

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.

Wireless Network Watcher - scans your wireless network and displays the list of all computers and devices that are currently connected to your network.