There are more devices on my network than the total number of fingers and toes in my household. All this internet goodness is shared between 2-4 routers (yes number of routers at the moment changes dynamically). Adding and browsing devices would be a headache if not for the Fing app and Fingbox deployed in my network. Now, I can enjoy similar options on my desktop computer with Fing Desktop.
Before Fing Desktop
Because most of my network work is done on a computer, I used the Fing app in a combination with Join app. This unique pairing let me use Fing’s press info (MAC, IP) to copy to clipboard and Join’s automatic clipboard sharing to get this information on my computer. Thanks to Fing Desktop, I don’t have to lift my eyes off the screen to do the same! It’s perfect for getting this information in an instant!
Fing, Fing Desktop and Fingbox
Fing app gives you the most popular network tools and it’s free to use. Pairing the app with Fingbox gives you access to the extra features like:
- Block internet devices
- Schedules
- Monitory “nearby” devices
- Monitor ISP
- Scan ports and vulnerabilities automatically
- Analise bandwidth
Fing Desktop doesn’t connect to your Fingbox for added benefits, you will still need a mobile app to manage that. Perhaps that functionality will come later.
Less is more?
The Windows & Mac app doesn’t come with the all Fing app features. Lack of control over the Fingbox is one of the missing features, but the desktop version comes without:
- Port Scanning
- Ping
- Traceroute
- Wake on LAN
It’s not doom and gloom and Fingbox Desktop comes with some added benefits. Apart from having the information presented to you on the same screen, there are other benefits of running Fing Desktop instead of the app.
- Better device filters
- Sync with your account
- Live Outages map
- Network report
- Internet Speed Test
This is release 1.0, so I’m expecting things to change. Functions like ping or traceroute can be done from a console, so it won’t take long before we see these added to the Fing Desktop.
Conclusion
Fing Desktop is already installed and ready to be used with my next networking project. I hope to see the Finbox integration soon, scheduled internet speed test and more options. If you have not used Fing before, give it a shot. I’m looking forward to seeing how the desktop version will develop. Let me know what do you think about the Fing Desktop in this Reddit thread.
