Port Authority

Port Authority is a free Android network utility for discovering hosts and examining network details. It can find hosts on a local network, determine a public IP address, and scan TCP ports on LAN and WAN hosts with custom port ranges. Additional tools include MAC address vendor detection, DNS record lookups, and Wake-on-LAN for LAN devices. Lightweight SSH and HTTP(S) fingerprinting can identify a service's server type and version. The maker says host discovery typically takes less than five seconds and describes scans as heavily threaded. The app has no ads or analytics trackers; the maker says it does not track, collect, or share data and needs limited permissions for network interaction. Public IP discovery uses the maker's open source, stateless service. The project is licensed under GPL-3.0. The Android app is free, and a $4.99 once donation option is listed with the same features. Large port ranges combined with too many threads may lead to out-of-memory crashes, for which the maker recommends lowering the thread count. WAN scans are best effort because mobile carriers may shape traffic or terminate connections during scans.

Port Authority combines host discovery with port scanning and several network utilities in a free Android app. Keep its scan limits in mind, especially for large ranges and WAN targets.

It suits Android users who want to inspect local network hosts, scan TCP ports, or use basic DNS and Wake-on-LAN tools. Users scanning WAN hosts should account for possible carrier interference.

Port Authority is an Android network utility for discovering hosts and scanning ports across LAN and internet targets. It suits Android users who need a compact set of network checks without paying or accepting ads. Its breadth is useful, but WAN scans and large port ranges call for restraint.

Overview

The app brings host discovery, TCP port scans and several supporting tools into one Android package. It can find hosts on a LAN, discover a public IP address, and scan TCP ports on LAN and WAN hosts, including custom ranges. Lightweight SSH and HTTP(S) fingerprinting adds server type and version information, giving results more context than an open-port check alone.

The maker says discovery typically finishes in under five seconds and describes scans as heavily threaded. That approach can make routine checks quick, but it is not a reason to push very large ranges: too many threads can cause out-of-memory crashes. WAN results are also best effort, since mobile carriers may shape traffic or end scan connections.

Key features

• Host and port discovery: Finds LAN hosts and scans TCP ports on LAN or WAN targets. Custom ranges are useful when a targeted check is preferable to a broad sweep.
• Service fingerprinting: Lightweight SSH and HTTP(S) checks report server type and version, helping identify what may be answering on a port.
• Network utilities: MAC vendor detection, DNS record lookups and Wake-on-LAN for LAN hosts round out the scanner. These are practical extras for basic network troubleshooting, rather than a replacement for a broader network-management suite.
• Public IP lookup: The app uses the maker’s open-source, stateless service to determine the public IP address.
• Privacy and permissions: The maker says the app does not track, collect or share data and has no ads or analytics trackers. It also says the app needs only limited permissions to interact with the network.

For large scans, lowering the thread count is the sensible trade-off: it may reduce the chance of a crash. WAN scans are less dependable on mobile connections, so users should treat them as best-effort checks.

Pricing

Port Authority is free on Android, with no free trial because there is no paid trial-to-subscription path. The Free plan costs free and includes the Android app, no ads and open-source software. It is the straightforward fit for anyone who wants the full stated feature set at no cost.

The optional Donate plan costs $4.99, paid once and provides the same features as the free version. It is a way to contribute, not an upgrade: paying does not add features or remove a stated free-plan cap.

Platforms

Port Authority runs on Android. Its mobile focus is convenient for checking networks from a phone, though WAN scan behavior may be affected by carrier traffic controls. The project is licensed under GPL-3.0, and the Google Play listing provides support at [email protected].

Who it's for

Choose Port Authority if you want free Android-based host discovery, TCP scans, basic service fingerprints and a handful of network utilities in one app. It is a particularly sensible fit for targeted checks on a LAN. Users scanning broad port ranges should be prepared to reduce thread counts, while those needing dependable WAN scans over mobile data should look elsewhere or use a less constrained connection.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Broad utility at no cost: Host discovery, TCP scanning, DNS lookups, MAC vendor detection and Wake-on-LAN cover several common network checks.
• Useful service context: SSH and HTTP(S) fingerprinting can identify server type and version, not just report a responsive port.
• No ads, according to the maker: The free app is described as ad-free and without analytics trackers, with limited network-focused permissions.
• Optional one-time contribution: The $4.99 donation does not lock features behind a paid tier.

Cons

• Large scans can crash: High thread counts over large ranges may exhaust memory; reducing threads is recommended.
• WAN scans are not assured: Mobile carriers may shape traffic or terminate scan connections.
• Android only: The app does not cover desktop platforms.
• The paid option adds no capability: The donation plan is only for users who want to contribute.

Alternatives

For other options, browse Port Scanner Software. RustScan is another free, open-source port scanner with Android, Linux, macOS, Windows and self-hosted platform options; consider it if desktop or self-hosted availability matters. Naabu is a free, MIT-licensed port-scanning tool for API, Linux, macOS, Windows and self-hosted use, making it a fit when those environments are the priority.

Pentest-Tools Port Scanner has a free tier for open-port and service discovery, plus a NetSec plan starting at $95 a month; choose it if a web or API option and a paid tier suit your workflow. ScanSearch offers a paid internet-scanning plan at $0.30 per kpps/month, with 100–10,000 kpps, unlimited results per scan, full CSV/JSON export and a queue of up to 10 scans; consider it when those stated internet-scanning capabilities are a better fit.

eslint-plugin-jsx-a11y is a free static JSX code-analysis package. NetsCLI is a free MIT-licensed option for Linux, macOS and Windows. Nmap is free for end users on Linux, Windows and self-hosted platforms, with its stated license excluding redistribution within commercial software or hardware products. Sherlock Forensics Port Scanner is a free option for Linux and Windows.

Verdict

Port Authority is an easy recommendation for Android users who want a free, ad-free set of LAN discovery and port-scanning tools with useful service fingerprints. Its main advantage is the range of checks in one no-cost app; its main drawback is that broad scans can strain memory and WAN scans may be interrupted by carriers. Choose it for focused mobile network checks, not as the dependable choice for large scans or carrier-based WAN probing.