Our verdict: Angry IP Scanner is a quick way to see which devices are on a network and which ports they expose. It is simpler than Nmap and runs on every desktop system. It is not built for stealth or deep service detection, and the Windows installer bundles a Java runtime.
About Angry IP Scanner
Angry IP Scanner pings every address in a range to see if it is alive, then optionally resolves hostnames, finds MAC addresses and scans ports. It also shows NetBIOS information such as computer name, workgroup and logged-in Windows user, and detects web servers. Each address is scanned in its own thread, which keeps scans fast.
The program is written in Java and maintained by Anton Keks under the GNU GPL v2. Results can be saved as CSV, TXT, XML or IP-Port list files, and Java plugins can collect more data about each host. The recommended Windows installer includes the Java runtime; a stand-alone EXE needs a separate 64-bit Java 21 or newer.
What it does well
- Fast ping sweep. Scans address ranges with one thread per IP address.
- Port scanning. Checks chosen ports on every live host.
- Host details. Shows hostnames, MAC addresses, NetBIOS names and logged-in users.
- Export. Saves results as CSV, TXT, XML or IP-Port list files.
- Plugins and openers. Extend data collection with Java plugins and open hosts in other tools.
Who it is for
Good fit
Home and office users who want a fast list of devices and open ports on their network.
Look elsewhere
Security testers who need stealth scans, version detection or scripting; Nmap does that.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Free and open source
- Very fast multithreaded scans
- Simple interface
- Runs on Windows, macOS and Linux
Cons
- No stealth scans or service version detection
- Installer is large because it bundles Java
- Antivirus programs sometimes flag it as a hacking tool
How to install Angry IP Scanner
Use the Windows installer from the official download page; it includes the Java runtime. Some antivirus programs warn about network scanners, and the developer explains this in the FAQ. Scan only networks you own or are allowed to test.
Questions about Angry IP Scanner
Is Angry IP Scanner free?
Yes. It is free and open source under the GNU GPL v2.
Does Angry IP Scanner need Java?
The recommended Windows installer includes the Java runtime. The stand-alone EXE needs a separate 64-bit Java 21 or newer.
Why does my antivirus flag Angry IP Scanner?
Network scanners can be misused, so some antivirus programs flag them. Download it only from angryip.org or the official GitHub releases.
