The best network diagnostic tools, according to hackers
8 network diagnostic tools were recommended on Hacker News between November 2025 and November 2026. We rank them by how many separate people recommend each one, and 1 earns the Hacker Approved badge.
Top pick
The most recommended network diagnostic tool with the badge. Each figure is one person. RecommendsCriticizes One comment
Probing ports, replacing telnet
Small, fast tool for raw TCP and UDP connections, widely used for probing ports and as a telnet replacement. Caveat: it does not handle telnet options or drive a PTY.
All 8 network diagnostic tools, ranked
Select a column heading to sort. Approval share is recommenders out of everyone who gave an opinion; the tick on each bar marks the 2 to 1 line the badge needs. Months counts the months, out of 13, in which someone recommended it.
How we rank
Rank is the number of separate people who recommend a product in a Hacker News comment over the past year. Someone who praises the same network diagnostic tool in five threads counts once.
The badge goes to network diagnostic tools that at least 10 people recommend, with recommenders outnumbering critics at least 2 to 1, recommended in at least 4 of the 13 months.
Rankings are never for sale. We may earn a commission when you buy through our links. It never changes the order.