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NetsCLI
What it is
NetsCLI is an open-source network scanner for finding devices on a local network, checking TCP and UDP ports, querying DNS, and inspecting hosts. It runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows, with a desktop app, terminal interface, command-line interface, and MCP server built on a shared Rust core. The desktop app supports multiple investigations, sortable and filterable results, exports, and scan history. Discovery may add reverse DNS, ARP cache information, MAC addresses, and device makers when the operating system has those details. Command-line network operations can return JSON or YAML, while list commands also support CSV and Markdown. The MCP server offers structured tools for discovery, scans, ping, DNS, ARP, host inspection, network sweeps, interfaces, and mDNS to compatible AI clients. NetsCLI is MIT-licensed and free for personal, open-source, and commercial use. Packet capture requires a separate download and libpcap on Linux or macOS, or Npcap on Windows. It does not provide remote administration or advanced service detection, NSE scripts, or OS fingerprinting.
For and against
For
- Free for personal, open-source, and commercial use
- Desktop app includes scan history and exports
- Supports JSON, YAML, CSV, and Markdown output
- MCP server exposes structured local network tools
Against
- Packet capture needs a separate download and platform dependency
- No remote administration
- Lacks advanced service detection, NSE scripts, and OS fingerprinting
The verdict
NetsCLI combines common local network discovery and inspection tasks with desktop, terminal, CLI, and MCP interfaces. Its stated feature limits and separate packet-capture requirements are worth weighing if those capabilities are important.
Who it suits
NetsCLI suits people who need local network diagnostics through a desktop app or command line, including repeatable diagnostic and automation workflows. Its MCP tools may also suit AI clients that need local network capabilities.
Plans and prices
NetsCLI
Free for personal, open-source, and commercial use · MIT-licensed
Read 5 Oct 2026 · netscli.com
On the record
- AI integrations
- The stdio MCP server exposes structured local network tools for compatible AI clients, including Claude Code and Cursor.netscli.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- CLI output
- Network operations support JSON and YAML output, while lists also support CSV and Markdown.netscli.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Desktop app
- The desktop app supports multiple investigation tabs and lets users sort, filter, export, and review scan history.netscli.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Desktop features
- The desktop app supports multiple investigation tabs, sortable and filterable results, exports, and scan history.netscli.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Download integrity
- The site says every binary and installer is checksummed and signed with Sigstore cosign, and links to download verification instructions.netscli.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Download verification
- The maker says every binary and installer is checksummed and signed with Sigstore cosign.netscli.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Feature limits
- The maker says NetsCLI does not provide remote administration and lacks advanced service detection, NSE scripts, and OS fingerprinting available in nmap.netscli.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Host discovery
- Discovery can add reverse DNS, ARP cache data, MAC addresses, and device makers when the operating system has that information.netscli.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The MCP server runs over stdio and exposes structured tools for network discovery, scanning, ping, DNS, ARP, host inspection, sweeps, interfaces, and mDNS discovery.netscli.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- License and cost
- NetsCLI is MIT-licensed and free for personal, open-source, and commercial use.netscli.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Maker
- The site credits Felix Stubner as the maker.netscli.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Network tools
- MCP tools include discovery, port scanning, ping, DNS, ARP, host inspection, network sweep, interface listing, and mDNS discovery.netscli.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Notable limits
- The site says NetsCLI does not provide remote administration and lacks advanced service detection, NSE scripts, and OS fingerprinting compared with nmap.netscli.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Open source
- NetsCLI is MIT-licensed, and its library and MCP server are published on crates.io for Rust projects.netscli.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Packet capture
- Packet capture is available only in separate packet-capture downloads and requires libpcap on Linux or macOS, or Npcap on Windows.netscli.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Packet capture requirement
- Packet capture is available only in separate packet-capture downloads and requires libpcap on Linux or macOS, or Npcap on Windows.netscli.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- NetsCLI is an open-source Rust network scanner for discovering LAN hosts, scanning TCP and UDP ports, querying DNS, and inspecting hosts.netscli.com · read 5 Oct 2026
- Structured output
- CLI network operations support JSON and YAML output, while list commands also support CSV and Markdown.netscli.com · read 5 Oct 2026
