Frequently Asked Questions
Learn how Fing helps you scan, monitor, and secure your network
Getting Started
What is Fing?
Fing is a powerful network scanning and monitoring platform that helps you discover every device on your network, strengthen your cybersecurity, and optimize performance – whether you’re at home or running a small business.
For home users, Fing makes it easy to see exactly who and what is connected to your Wi-Fi in seconds. You can identify unknown or unauthorized devices, run internet speed tests, detect network vulnerabilities, and get a clear security score for your home network. It’s the simplest way to take control of your digital environment and protect your family’s connected life.
For small businesses, Fing provides the visibility you need to manage your office network with confidence. Quickly inventory every connected device – from workstations and printers to IoT sensors and security cameras – spot rogue devices, monitor network health, and troubleshoot connectivity issues before they impact productivity.
Available on desktop (Windows and macOS), mobile (iOS and Android), and monitoring units (Raspberry Pi, NAS and Docker containers), Fing is a trusted tool for anyone who wants to know what’s on their network and keep it secure.
What is Fing Desktop?
Fing Desktop is the full-featured version of the Fing platform for Windows and macOS, purpose-built for continuous network monitoring and deeper cybersecurity insights.
While the mobile app is perfect for quick on-the-go scans, Fing Desktop is designed to run persistently on your home or office computer, giving you:
- More accurate device recognition — a persistent connection means richer data collection and more precise identification of connected devices.
- Proactive cybersecurity alerts — get notified in real time about unauthorized devices, open ports, or potential vulnerabilities before they become threats.
- Network performance tracking — run scheduled internet speed tests and monitor trends over time to hold your ISP accountable.
Whether you’re securing a home full of smart devices or keeping a small business network locked down, Fing Desktop turns your computer into a dedicated cybersecurity watchpoint.
You can download it directly from our website.
What is Fing Mobile?
Fing Mobile is your pocket-sized network scanner for Android and iOS, designed for quick, on-the-go cybersecurity checks wherever you connect.
- Scan any Wi-Fi in seconds — discover every connected device and get key details like IP address, manufacturer, and model.
- Travel-ready protection — connecting to hotel, airport, or café Wi-Fi? Scan first to spot suspicious devices or risks before you share sensitive data (and there are many good reasons to scan a network when traveling).
- Speed tests anywhere — check real network performance on the spot, whether you’re at home, in the office, or on the move.
For always-on monitoring and deeper insights, pair it with Fing Desktop.
You can download the version you prefer from the Play Store or the App Store.
What is Fing Agent?
Fing Agent is a lightweight, always-on monitoring service that gives your network 24/7 cybersecurity surveillance. It runs on a Raspberry Pi, Docker container, or Linux device – including NAS systems like Synology and QNAP – turning hardware you already own into a dedicated network watchpoint.
- Continuous visibility — monitors your home or office network around the clock, even when your phone or computer is off.
- Real-time alerts — get instantly notified on your Fing Mobile app when a new or unauthorized device connects.
- Lightweight & headless — runs quietly in the background with minimal resource usage, no screen or keyboard required.
Please note that Fing Agent requires an active Fing subscription (Starter, Premium or Professional).
What is Fing Web?
Fing Web is your browser-based dashboard for accessing network data from anywhere. Simply log in from any browser (desktop or mobile) and get instant visibility into the networks you monitor.
- Remote access — view devices, activity, and performance data from any location, on any device with a browser.
- Smart insights — check device details, security indicators, and performance trends at a glance.
- Setup management — manage configurations and access Fing Professional workspaces directly from the web.
Fing Web displays data collected by a monitoring unit (Fing Desktop or Fing Agent), so at least one must be set up on your network. Fing Web itself is free to use – a subscription is only required for advanced features.
Features & Capabilities
What can I do with Fing?
Fing gives you complete visibility and control over your network, organized around five core capabilities:
- Scan — discover every connected device in seconds, with detailed info like IP address, MAC address, manufacturer, and model – powered by one of the world’s largest device recognition databases.
- Monitor — track who’s online and when, assign devices to household members or colleagues, and get alerts when new devices join your network.
- Control — block unauthorized devices or pause internet access for specific devices directly from the app – no installation needed on the target device. Great for parental controls too.
- Secure — run vulnerability checks, detect open ports, and assess your network’s overall cybersecurity posture.
- Troubleshoot — run speed tests (manually or on a schedule), monitor your ISP’s performance over time, and benchmark your connection against others in your area.
Whether you’re protecting a family home or managing a small business network, Fing helps you understand exactly what’s happening on your Wi-Fi – and take action when something isn’t right.
How can Fing help me enhance my home network security?
Fing turns your computer into a cybersecurity tool for your home. Here’s how to get started in minutes:
- Scan your network — identify every connected device. Spot something you don’t recognize? It could be an unauthorized user on your Wi-Fi.
- Block intruders — use Block & Pause to instantly remove unknown devices from your network, without touching the device itself.
- Set up alerts — enable notifications so you’re alerted the moment a new device joins your network.
- Check for vulnerabilities — run a security scan to detect open ports or misconfigurations that could put your network at risk.
- Change your router password — if unknown devices keep appearing, it’s time to update your credentials. Fing helps you identify the problem; your router settings let you fix it.
What kind of information can Fing provide about my connected devices?
Every time Fing scans your network, it builds a detailed profile for each connected device, including:
- Identity — IP address, MAC address, manufacturer, model, and operating system.
- Recognition — device type (e.g., smartphone, smart TV, printer, IoT sensor), powered by one of the world’s largest device databases.
- History — when the device was first and last seen on your network.
- Advanced details — technical data such as Bonjour name, DHCP information, and open ports.
This level of detail makes it easy to tell your family’s laptop apart from an unknown intruder – and take action if something doesn’t belong.
What kind of information can Fing provide about my Internet Service Provider?
Fing helps you understand whether your ISP is delivering what you’re paying for. Here’s what you can access:
- Speed tests — measure download, upload, and latency on demand or on an automated schedule.
- Performance trends — track your connection’s average speed over days and weeks to spot patterns or degradation.
- ISP rankings — see how your provider compares to others in your city or country.
- Outage detection — get informed about internet outages reported in your area.
- Connection details — view technical info such as your public IP address and hostname.
Consistent slowdowns? Use your Fing speed history as evidence when contacting your ISP for support.
Compatibility & Setup
Do I need an account to use Fing?
It depends on the product:
- Fing Mobile — you can run basic scans without an account, but creating one is strongly recommended to unlock the full experience.
- Fing Desktop — yes, an account is required.
- Fing Web — yes, an account is required to access your dashboard.
With a free Fing account, your data syncs across all your devices – so a network scanned from your desktop is instantly accessible on your phone or browser. You also get access to device management, alerts, and your full network history.
What kind of devices is Fing available for?
Fing runs on any platform you use:
- Desktop — Windows and macOS.
- Mobile — Android and iOS.
- Browser — access Fing Web from any modern browser, on any device.
- Headless devices — run Fing Agent on a Raspberry Pi, Docker container, or NAS (Synology, QNAP) for 24/7 monitoring.
Can I use Fing on multiple devices?
Absolutely. With a free Fing account, you can install and use Fing on as many devices as you like — your data stays in sync across all of them.
For example, you could run Fing Desktop on your PC for continuous monitoring, check results on the go with Fing Mobile, and review everything from a browser via Fing Web. Add a Fing Agent and your network is covered 24/7, accessible from anywhere.
Is Fing available in other languages?
Yes! Fing supports multiple languages across its products:
- Fing Desktop — available in English, Spanish, and Italian.
- Fing Mobile — available in 16 languages, including English, Spanish, Italian, German, French, Portuguese, Dutch, Japanese, Arabic, Indonesian, Korean, Russian, Turkish, Vietnamese, and Chinese (Traditional and Simplified).
We’re continuously expanding language support. If your preferred language isn’t listed yet, stay tuned.
What can I do if a device isn't recognized correctly?
Fing’s device recognition database covers thousands of brands and models, but with new devices hitting the market every day, occasional gaps are possible.
If a device isn’t fully or accurately identified, you can:
- Edit its details manually — update the device name, type, manufacturer, or model directly within the app.
- Help improve recognition for everyone — your edits contribute to improving Fing’s database, making future scans more accurate for all users.
The more our community contributes, the smarter Fing gets.
What is a Monitored Network?
A monitored network is a network that Fing automatically keeps under control using its monitoring features — giving you ongoing visibility into connected devices, network changes, and security events without any manual action.
To set up a Monitored Network, you need either:
- Fing Desktop — running on a computer connected to that network.
- Fing Agent — running on a Raspberry Pi, Docker container, or NAS for headless 24/7 coverage.
Once active, your monitored network’s data syncs to your Fing account and is accessible from Fing Mobile and Fing Web, wherever you are.
The number of networks you can monitor depends on your plan.
Can I use Fing for my business?
Absolutely! Fing is a great fit for small businesses and professional environments. With Fing Professional, you get shared workspaces, multi-user collaboration, advanced reporting, and up to 3 monitored networks — everything you need to manage and secure your office network.
For larger organizations and enterprise IT environments, we recommend Lansweeper – a complete IT asset management platform powered by the same device recognition technology behind Fing. It’s built to scale across thousands of devices, multiple sites, and complex infrastructures.
Plans & Pricing
For more detailed information about Fing subscriptions, visit our Pricing page.
How much does Fing cost?
Fing is free to download for Desktop and Mobile and is entirely ad-free. We offer three subscription plans – called Fing Starter, Fing Premium and Fing Professional – all available on a monthly or yearly basis.
What is Fing Starter, and what do I get with it?
Fing Starter is designed for home users who want more than quick scans — it unlocks continuous monitoring and proactive cybersecurity insights. Available at $3.99/month or $39.99/year, it includes everything in the free plan, plus:
- Unlimited scans
- Real-time alerts — get notified on your phone when new devices connect or security issues arise.
- 7-day event timeline — review a full week of network activity and device connections.
- Hidden camera detection — scan any Wi-Fi you connect to for hidden cameras — especially useful when traveling.
- Router vulnerability checks — detect open ports and security weaknesses in your router configuration.
- Scheduled speed tests & ISP analysis — automate performance tracking and monitor your provider’s reliability over time.
- 1 monitored network
Check out our ultimate guide to Fing Starter for a detailed list of its feature.
What is Fing Premium, and what do I get with it?
Fing Premium is for power users who want full control and advanced cybersecurity protection across their networks. Available at $7.99/month or $69.99/year, it includes everything in Fing Starter, plus:
- Full event timeline — access your complete network history with no 7-day limit.
- Block & limit internet — permanently block or temporarily pause internet access for any device, directly from the app.
- Autoblock unknown devices — automatically prevent unrecognized devices from accessing your network the moment they connect.
- 2 monitored networks — protect more than one location, such as your home and office.
- Mobile & email notifications — receive alerts on your phone and in your inbox so you never miss a security event.
Check out our ultimate guide to Fing Premium for a detailed list of its feature.
What is Fing Professional, and what do I get with it?
Fing Professional is built for IT consultants, MSPs, small businesses, and home users with advanced setups who need to manage and secure multiple networks efficiently. Available at $16.99/month or $149.99/year, it includes everything in Fing Premium, plus:
- Shared workspaces — organize networks and devices in collaborative environments accessible to your team.
- Multi-user collaboration — invite colleagues or clients to view and manage networks together.
- Advanced search — find specific devices across all your monitored networks in seconds.
- Advanced reporting — generate detailed network reports for clients, audits, or internal reviews.
- 3+ monitored networks — cover multiple sites or client locations from a single subscription.
Do you offer a free trial?
Free trial is only available if you are purchasing Fing Starter or FIng Premium via mobile. You can take advantage of a 7-day trial period to test all Fing features.
Community & Support
How can I keep in touch with Fing?
There are plenty of ways to stay up to date with Fing news, tips, and cybersecurity insights:
- LinkedIn — follow us for product updates, industry news, and company announcements.
- Blog — read the latest articles on network security, product features, and best practices on our website.
- Newsletter — subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated highlights delivered straight to your inbox. Sign-in directly from our apps.
- Fing Talks — tune into our podcast on YouTube for in-depth conversations about cybersecurity, networking, and the connected world.
How can I get help if I have more questions?
If you can’t find what you’re looking for in this FAQ, we’re here to help:
- Knowledge Base — browse our Help Center for detailed guides, tutorials, and troubleshooting articles.
- Support team — reach out to our support team directly for personalized assistance.
- Reddit community — join the Fing community on Reddit to ask questions, share tips, and connect with other users and Fing enthusiasts.