Top 11 Best Asset Discovery Tools For Your Business

Rohit Rajpal

Senior Writer

Top 11 Best Asset Discovery Tools For Your Business

Key Takeaways:

  1. Asset discovery tools automatically scan an organization’s IT infrastructure to identify and catalog all software and hardware assets.
  2. Asset IT discovery tools offer numerous advantages for organizations. They provide a comprehensive view of an organization’s IT assets, promoting efficient asset management.
  3. An integrated management console provides a centralized view and control point for all discovered assets.

Effective asset and inventory management software is critical for business success, yet many struggle. In fact, 43% of small businesses fail to track their assets and inventory.

Looking for Asset Management Software? Check out SoftwareSuggest’s list of the best Asset Management Software solutions.

It’s impossible to fully optimize utilization and prevent loss without visibility into what resources you own and where they are located. But manually monitoring hundreds or thousands of assets across multiple locations is an exercise in futility. This is where automated software asset management tools come in.

But with the growing market for automated IT discovery tools, choosing the right solution for your business needs is crucial. This blog compares the top 11 asset discovery tools in 2023 based on features, pros, cons, and cost. Let’s get started –

What Are The Asset Discovery Tools? 

Asset discovery tools automatically scan an organization’s IT infrastructure to identify and catalog all software and hardware assets. They use automated techniques like network scanning, agent-based discovery, and APIs to detect devices, applications, cloud-based resources, and more.

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Pro-tip

Begin with a thorough assessment of your organization's assets. Clearly define your asset management goals and scope. Prioritize tools that seamlessly integrate with your existing infrastructure, ensuring minimal disruption. Look for scalability, robust security features, and automation capabilities. Regularly update your asset inventory and consider the long-term viability of your chosen tool. Lastly, invest in user training to harness the full potential of these tools, optimizing your asset management for future growth.

Network asset discovery tools compile a centralized inventory detailing all IT assets, their specifications, configurations, and locations. This provides complete visibility that is otherwise nearly impossible to capture manually.

Did you know 80% of employees waste half an hour daily just retrieving information because assets are not properly tracked? With comprehensive visibility into all IT assets through automated discovery tools, organizations can improve security, optimize software licensing, and enable better resource planning.

What Are The Benefits Of Using Asset Discovery Tools? 

Asset IT discovery tools offer numerous advantages for organizations. They provide a comprehensive view of an organization’s IT assets, promoting efficient asset management. Let’s look at the benefits of network asset discovery tools –

1. Improved Visibility

Network asset discovery tools provide complete visibility into all devices and assets on your business networks. Centralized tracking of hardware specifications, software versions, configurations, and locations makes viewing your IT environment holistically easy. Comprehensive visibility enables better management, security, and planning.

2. Reduced Risk

By maintaining an updated inventory of assets, companies can proactively identify vulnerabilities and misconfigurations that create security risks. Asset discovery also highlights unmanaged assets that are unseen attack vectors. Removing these weak points reduces overall business risk levels.

3. Faster Troubleshooting

With deep asset data and relationships between devices mapped out, IT teams can pinpoint issues faster during outages or performance problems. Understanding dependencies between assets allows more targeted troubleshooting to restore services promptly.

4. Optimized IT Spending

Full network visibility allows businesses to make data-driven decisions about IT investments. Understanding all hardware and software components in place prevents over-purchasing licenses or upgrades. Right-sizing IT spending optimizes budgets.

5. Proactive Management

With continuous asset monitoring and tracking, issues like nearing storage capacity limits or expiring software licenses are detected early. Proactive management prevents impacts on business operations and employee productivity. Optimization is improved by planning changes before problems emerge.

What Are The Features Of IT Asset Discovery Tools?

IT Asset Discovery Tools come equipped with a range of essential features. These tools also offer robust reporting and analytics, enabling informed decision-making. Let’s review the features one by one:

1. Comprehensive Asset Tracking

Robust asset infrastructure discovery tools track all devices and components across an IT environment, including servers, endpoints, network devices, appliances, peripherals, and more. Detailed hardware and software inventories provide specs like manufacturer, make, model, IDs, versions, licensing data, configurations, and usage. Tracking assets in real time enables accurate visibility.

2. Auto-Discovery & Mapping

Powerful tools automatically scan defined IP ranges to identify assets and dependencies without manual input. Network mapping visualizes connections between assets to provide insight into infrastructure topology and dependencies. Auto-discovery eliminates blindspots and ensures new assets are tracked when added.

3. Centralized Management Console

An integrated management console provides a centralized view and control point for all discovered assets. Dashboards consolidate device data alongside vulnerability, configuration, and software inventory details. Unified visibility with robust filtering and reporting streamlines asset oversight.

4. Reporting and Analytics

Robust reporting and analytics features are crucial for gaining insights from asset data. Asset infrastructure discovery tools typically offer customizable reporting templates and analytics dashboards, allowing IT teams to generate detailed reports on asset utilization, cost analysis, and compliance. These reports aid in strategic planning, budgeting, and demonstrating the value of IT investments to stakeholders.

List of Top 11 Asset Discovery Tools

Let us look at some of the best Asset Discovery tools available in the market that can help ease the work of closely monitoring the virtual and on-site assets.

Tool NameFree Trail PeriodPricing
30 daysVarious packages
30 days1600$ with 5 sensors and 1 server installation
30 daysStandard – starting from $245 for 10 devices
60 daysThe standard package from $1995
N/AFree tool
N/ANo cost is involved in getting Zenmap configured
N/AAll products are free
14 daysVarious packages
30 daysCustomized
30 daysCustomized
30 daysCustomized

1. SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor

SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor logo

SolarWinds Network Performance Monitor

4.5 out of 5 stars

2 Reviews

Considered to be one of the best IT asset discovery software tools in the market, the Network performance monitor produces a map of the assets linked on the network, giving us a clear idea of how the equipment is on the network.

This also includes remote sites and, cloud-based services and wifi systems. The map automatically gets updated when you add, update, or remove a piece of the network component. SolarWinds is one of the best monitoring and asset management tools available in the market, with multiple options, including a comprehensive monitoring system that gives a complete idea of how the network behaves.

Key Features

  • Network availability monitoring
  • Critical path visualization
  • Intelligent mapping
  • Performance analysis
  • Advanced alerting

Pricing

  • This asset management tool has a 30-day free trial period. After that, you can choose from various packages depending on the number of users to be added to the system. Billing and invoicing are done monthly. Packages can be customized so payment is done accordingly.
Pros
  • The platform offers exceptional network reporting capabilities, ensuring comprehensive insights.
  • It monitors effective performance by tracking key performance indicators (KPIs).
  • Proactive alerting is a strong suit, as it promptly notifies users when predefined thresholds are nearing.
  • The platform boasts extensive data sources, enhancing its versatility.
Cons
  • Incorporating Root Cause Analysis directly into the platform would be a valuable addition.
  • The user-friendliness of the Network mapping feature’s interface could be improved.
  • Unfortunately, the Network Monitoring Platform lacks integration with the Topology Mapper.

2. Paessler PRTG Network Monitor

Paessler PRTG Network Monitor logo

Paessler PRTG Network Monitor

PRTG Network is the next best IT asset discovery tool with a combination of device monitor, traffic analyzer, and server status manager. It keeps track of the network health and performance of even the supporting devices. The good thing is that there is no need to set up any phase manually. Most asset components install themselves and list all the devices and how they work together.

PRTG is a cloud service and can be installed on the premises. The network discovery process keeps you in the loop constantly, and any problems arising on any part of the network will be immediately prompted.

Key Features

  • Integrated support
  • Intelligent network discovery
  • Maps and dashboards
  • Real-time alerts
  • Customizable reports

Pricing

  • You can check out different packages, but start with 30-day free trial. There are different packages from 1600$ with 5 sensors and 1 server installation to 60000$ with unlimited sensors and 5 server installations.
Pros
  • The inclusion of graphical monitoring tools enhances data visualization and analysis.
  • The licensed version offers a comprehensive feature set, following a pay-per-feature model for flexibility.
  • It excels in alerting staff promptly when devices experience offline status.
  • The platform maintains a detailed log of past events and system statuses, enabling historical analysis.
Cons
  • Being Windows-based, it may pose compatibility challenges when used on Linux systems.
  • The user interface has an outdated appearance and lacks visual appeal.
  • The configuration interface shows signs of age and can be cumbersome to navigate occasionally.

3. ManageEngine OpManager

ManageEngine OpManager logo

ManageEngine OpManager

5 out of 5 stars

1 Reviews

ManageEngine OpManager is a vast network management and IT Asset Discovery software, primarily including a network auto-discovery module.

The system scans the network during installation and keeps periodically running a check on the equipment. Maps can be viewed in different formats, and they include Layer 2 maps and maps and all equipment in straight lines representing the links between them as it is a robust asset discovery software.

You can even have a 3D view of the premise. SNMP methodology is used, and the system allows alert conditions to the controller to keep updated on the statuses of all network devices. Constant monitoring catches any updates or changes in the inventory of the network, and maps are updated regularly and automatically.

Key Features

  • Real-time inventory alerts
  • Cisco ACI monitoring
  • Distributed network monitoring
  • WAN monitoring configuration
  • Network visualization

Pricing

  • OpManager is available for Linux and Windows environments. There is a free trial version that you can use to understand. Then, you can upgrade to the Standard, Professional, or Enterprise editions – starting from $245 for 10 devices, $345 for 10 devices, or $11,545 for 250, respectively.
Pros
  • The notification system operates seamlessly without disruptions.
  • It is a user-friendly tool, making it accessible to all levels of users.
  • Deployment and management are straightforward and hassle-free.
  • It offers in-depth monitoring capabilities for both servers and network devices.
Cons
  • To enable remote monitoring, opening ports on the device is required..
  • Creating customized templates can be a time-consuming process..
  • There is room for improvement in reporting and dashboard functionality..

4. Nagios XI

Nagios XI logo

Nagios XI

There are two kinds of Nagios Asset Inventory Discovery tools – Nagios Core and Nagios XI. The Nagios XI should be the tool to consider. It includes an auto-discovery module that maps all the networks and compiles the inventory list.

The mapping feature of Nagios XI is extremely useful because it replays all of the network activity, showing traffic levels. You will be able to review periods of network congestion and also for bottlenecks in the network infrastructure. It is a great tool for examining network weaknesses and analyzing what has happened.

Nagios XI runs on CentOS or Redhat Enterprise Linux version 6 or 7.

Key Features

  • Monitoring engine
  • Performance & capacity planning
  • Configuration snapshot archive & wizards
  • Infrastructure management capabilities
  • Service-level agreement (SLA) reports

Pricing

  • You can get a free trial, but there are two packages – The standard package from $1995 and the enterprise package from $3495.
Pros
  • The platform offers an exceptional level of flexibility and configurability.
  • The support team is highly responsive and reliable.
  • The audit trails feature empowers us to meticulously examine any modifications or setups.
  • It allows monitoring a wide range of network devices, including switches, routers, and servers.
Cons
  • The graphical user interface would benefit from significant visual appeal and usability enhancements.
  • Expanding the selection of monitoring agents would be advantageous.
  • While robust in functionality, the interface’s dated appearance demands substantial improvement to achieve a more modern and user-friendly presentation.

5. Cacti

Cacti is a simple IT Asset Discovery Software tool that uses SNMP protocol to monitor devices on a network. It has a built-in SNMP methodology, and the polling process is issued, which the equipment list keeps getting constantly. The changes automatically register in the inventory if you add, update, or remove the device.

Cacti is a free, open-source tool and provides front-end to back-end data gathering tools called the RDDTools. So, when you install the package, you must install both the Cacti and RDDTools packages.

Cacti and RDDTools can be installed on Windows, Linux, and UNIX.

Key Features

  • Supports SNMP, ICMP, TCP, and UDP
  • Built-in support for meta-attributes
  • Automatic graph and data source creation
  • Graph assignment
  • Built-in device templates

Pricing

  • There is no cost for this IT Asset Discovery Software as it’s a free tool.
Pros
  • You have the flexibility to define an unlimited number of graph items for each graph, offering extensive customization possibilities.
  • Auto-padding support ensures precise alignment of graph legend text for a polished presentation.
  • The platform empowers users to manipulate graph data effectively using the CDEF math functions integrated into RRDTool.
  • Data sources can be easily created, harnessing the capabilities of RRDTool’s “create” and “update” functions.
Cons
  • Except for network interface graphing, the drawbacks are relatively minor.
  • A noticeable deficiency is the absence of better alerting features, particularly battery alerts.
  • There is a notable issue with several plugins not being updated to run smoothly in the latest version of Cacti, potentially leading to compatibility challenges.

6. Zenmap

Zenmap logo

Zenmap

As an IT Asset discovery software, Zenmap is a graphical front end to Nmap. While Nmap is a security auditing tool, it is also used for Network scanning.

All the details of individual nodes like OS, manufacturer, device type, IPs, addresses, hostnames, the status of ports on the device, etc., are scanned and kept updated. Zenmap interface is basic and doesn’t have monitoring capabilities.

It also installs on Windows, Linux, BSD, UNIX and Mac OS.

Key Features

  • Issue tracking
  • Detection rate & false positives automated scans
  • Compliance testing perimeter scanning
  • Configuration monitoring
  • Manual application testing

Pricing

  • No cost is involved in getting Zenmap configured.
Pros
  • It is available as a free and open-source solution.
  • The Graphical User Interface (GUI) is user-friendly and straightforward.
  • Scan results are presented in both text and graphical formats for better understanding.
  • The tool offers the ability to save and compare previous scan results.
Cons
  • Customer service could benefit from responsiveness and support quality enhancements.
  • It has a larger footprint than Nmap and another command-line interface (CLI)–based tools.
  • It demands additional dependencies that may or may not be available for your chosen operating system, unlike Nmap, which requires fewer additional resources.

7. Spiceworks

Spiceworks logo

Spiceworks

4.4 out of 5 stars

10 Reviews

The software runs on Debian and Ubuntu, Linux, Windows, and macOS. Spiceworks network and asset discovery tool runs a search on the system and logs all the equipment connected to the network. It registers an individual piece of equipment and gives operational details of each device.

Inventory keeps all the software assets up-to-date and upgrades when the latest patches are available. You will also be able to see when applications are overloading the network and point out service bottlenecks.

You can even print out the inventory system reports that list devices by type of usage. Server details also cover disc volume, usage, memory availability, CPU usage, etc.

Key Features

Pricing

  • All products are free – no limits, feature upgrades, or cost.
Pros
  • The software boasts an exceptionally user-friendly interface.
  • You can complete the application installation process in just a matter of minutes.
  • It served as an excellent platform for seeking advice, resolving issues, and staying informed about industry trends.
  • Spiceworks CM version seamlessly registers all devices on the network, monitors their performance, and maintains a comprehensive record of assets.
Cons
  • The software offers limited customization options, restricting how much you can tailor it to your needs.
  • The reports are overly technical and detailed, lacking a concise summary format.
  • It falls short in terms of certain features compared to other alternatives.

8. NetBrain

NetBrain logo

NetBrain

NetBrain has an efficient network and asset discovery tool wherein the software can be accessed online. Still, it also penetrates the network to build an inventory of all active devices.

The IP address of a key router is entered on the network, and NetBrain crawls around from there to record all network devices. In the next phase, a network map is automatically created, providing an interface for other functions on the available network.

The IT Asset Discovery software’s Process automation helps set up scripts to operate when triggered per certain conditions. These are called “runbooks”. These workflows collect data, analyze routines, and include software updates. The analysis function enables recording any spot intrusion and removes sub-nets where required.

Key Features

  • Asset discovery and recording
  • Incident response management
  • Hardware warranty management
  • Real-time inventory alerts
  • Software license management

Pricing

  • You can have a sample with the 14-day free trial.
Pros
  • Your network documentation is kept up to date automatically, reducing manual efforts.
  • Enjoy around-the-clock real-time monitoring for continuous network oversight.
  • Access detailed and easily understandable logs for transparent insights.
  • The platform excels in proactively resolving problems before they escalate.
Cons
  • Integration quality varies among different devices, leading to inconsistencies.
  • Some steps in the process are not self-explanatory and are potentially confusing.
  • While updates posed a challenge, the assistance from the support team helped mitigate the issue effectively.

9. Application Manager

Application Manager is considered one of the most favored yet dynamic Asset Management Software available in the market. Of the many features available, some key features include Anomaly detection, a great understanding of Fault Management with Root Cause Analysis, expansion of up to 50,000 servers, dynamic availability, Rest APIs, and mobile clients.

The tool offers robust monitoring of over 100 key performance indicators, resource availability, response time, and CPU / memory utilization. The asset software tool also provides reports and real-time updates on the current status and is considered one of the finest asset management software.

Key Features

  • Mapping networks
  • Detecting vulnerable or outdated software
  • Audit compliance
  • Software license management
  • Data breaches management

Pricing

  • You can download a free trial version for 30 days. Billing and pricing are customized and can be bought in an Annual subscription or a one-time license fee and maintenance.
Pros
  • Application Manager provides a thorough inventory of all software and hardware assets across your organization, ensuring a complete view of your IT ecosystem.
  • It offers real-time updates on asset changes and configurations, helping you stay current with your infrastructure.
  • The tool automates the discovery process, reducing manual effort and minimizing the risk of missing assets.
  • It helps identify and track vulnerabilities in your software assets, aiding in security assessments and risk mitigation.
Cons
  • Users may face a learning curve while adapting to the tool’s features and functionalities.
  • For large organizations with extensive asset inventories, Application Manager may face limitations in scalability.
  • Some legacy systems or unique software configurations may not be fully compatible with the tool, potentially leading to incomplete asset discovery.

10. Intermapper

Intermapper logo

Intermapper

Intermapper is a product of HelpSystems and is a great asset discovery software that can be used by Windows and Linux equally. There is an auto-discovery module that enlists all hardware and software assets and creates a map of the system. The Discovery process automatically reflects the inventory; any changes on the network get reflected on the network maps included in the utility.

Intermapper relies on SNMP; constant monitoring is an integrated part of the process.

Key Features

  • Automatic network mapping
  • Proactive network monitoring
  • Robust network management
  • Smart alerting
  • Network capacity planning

Pricing

  • Intermapper is available per subscription, but there is a free version with monitoring and mapping for only 10 devices. There is also a 30-day free trial version.
Pros
  • It enables the creation of visually precise maps and allows monitoring of traffic loads on individual interfaces.
  • The platform offers audible notifications for devices that go offline.
  • You can create graphs for any data accessible through SNMP, enhancing data visualization.
  • Intermapper boasts a very short learning curve, making it easy for users to start.
Cons
  • The user interface could benefit from improvement in terms of design and usability.
  • Customer service may require enhancements to better support users’ needs.
  • The platform has limited storage capacity may pose constraints for storing extensive data.

11. InvGate Insight

InvGate Insight logo

InvGate Insight

InvGate Insight creates a unified inventory of all network-connected IT assets – across workstations and servers, network appliances, mobile devices, cloud instances, and IoT devices – by automatically detecting them through different methods, including agent reporting, network scanning with SNMP and other protocols, web services integrations, etc.

The automatic update loop allows any changes made to the detected assets to be reflected in the inventory, making it easy to keep track of the entire IT infrastructure.

Insight is available both as a cloud service and as an on-premise installation. Its capabilities include a CMDB builder, health monitoring through smart tags, IT security and compliance, contract management, and many other features to help gain better control and visibility over the IT ecosystem.

Key Features

  • Software license management
  • Asset inventory management
  • Asset monitoring
  • Software metering
  • Remote desktop

Pricing

  • Invgate Insight has a 30-day free trial period. Quotes are tailored to the business needs and are available in annual subscriptions.
Pros
  • The interface is exceptionally appealing, providing an aesthetically pleasing user experience.
  • It offers highly effective asset-tracking capabilities, making data retrieval a breeze.
  • User-friendliness and access to standard asset information make it easy to use.
  • Monitoring the state of IT resources is effortless with this tool.
Cons
  • The support during the implementation process was somewhat complex, but once past that stage, the experience improved.
  • Customizable dashboards are notably absent from the tool’s features.
  • Enhancing the reporting module would significantly boost the tool’s overall utility and functionality.

Manage Your Assets Efficiently Using Asset Discovery Tools

Asset discovery tools provide game-changing visibility for optimizing your IT resources and infrastructure. The leading solutions we covered can automatically scan your environment to create a comprehensive centralized inventory of hardware, software, cloud resources, and more.

While factors like scalability needs, integrations, and customization capabilities should guide your specific tool selection, any of the top platforms we reviewed can provide that “a-ha” moment of insight into your true asset landscape.

The bottom line is that automated asset discovery pays for itself many times over. Your only regret will be not implementing it sooner. So tap into the potential of your IT assets and infrastructure with the power of an automated asset discovery solution.

With clearer visibility comes the immense opportunity for better decision-making and resource planning. Let your assets work for you with a robust discovery tool at your side.

Frequently Asked Questions

Asset IT discovery tools scan business networks to identify all connected devices and assets. They use protocols like SNMP, WMI, and SSH to remotely scan IP address ranges. Data on hardware, software, configurations, vulnerabilities, and asset relationships is collected. This centralized view of the IT environment enables improved management.

Yes, asset discovery tools are valuable for small businesses to gain visibility of their networks. Affordable options provide essential device tracking and security insight without the advanced enterprise IT capabilities required. Scalable solutions grow as you add more assets and locations.

Many asset discovery tools offer open APIs and integrations with IT software like service desk, endpoint management, and infrastructure monitoring. This provides a centralized view of network assets alongside related performance data. Integrations automate workflows between systems.

Agent-based tools require installing software agents on each device to collect data. Agentless tools remotely scan networks without needing access to devices. Agentless is lower maintenance but sometimes provides less detailed data than agent-based.

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