Cybersecurity, Networking & IT Related Apps; That I Actually Use (*For Android)
After 20+ years running Pacific Northwest Computers, I've installed, uninstalled, and re-installed a lot of "must have" Android apps. Most of what gets marketed as a "hacker toolkit" on the Play Store is either abandoned, repackaged, or outright malicious. So I figured I'd share the apps that have actually earned a spot on my phone for use all of the time, or just if/as needed. Nonetheless, these are the ones I can and do reach for during client visits, network troubleshooting, and security work.
This isn't a sponsored list.
These are the tools I use, or have used.
NETWORK SCANNING AND DIAGNOSTICS
Fing: The go-to LAN scanner. Quick device inventory, port scanning, and service detection. First app I open when I walk into a new client site.
WiFiman (by Ubiquiti): If you're running any Ubiquiti gear, this is a no-brainer. Speed tests, signal mapping, and device discovery that integrates with the broader Ubiquiti ecosystem.
PingTools / IP Tools: Traceroute, whois, port scanner, DNS lookup, Wake-on-LAN, LAN scan. PingTools has the cleaner UI; IP Tools has more utilities packed in. I keep both.
Network Cell Info Lite: Cellular tower and signal data. Useful for diagnosing client connectivity issues or planning deployments in rural areas where cell coverage matters.
PACKET CAPTURE AND TRAFFIC ANALYSIS
PCAPdroid: This one's genuinely impressive. Captures traffic on-device without root by using Android's VPN service. Can decrypt TLS for apps you control, and you can export PCAPs straight to Wireshark for deeper analysis.
NetGuard: No-root per-app firewall that also logs DNS queries and traffic. Pairs really well with PCAPdroid when you're trying to figure out what an app is actually doing in the background.
TERMINAL AND COMMAND LINE
Termux: Install this from F-Droid, NOT the Play Store. The Play Store version is unmaintained and broken in ways that will frustrate you. Once installed, you get nmap, ssh, tcpdump, python, git, masscan, hydra, and basically a full Linux environment in your pocket.
Termius: If you just want a polished SSH, Mosh, and SFTP client with key sync across your devices, this is it.
Kali NetHunter: The full Kali experience on Android. Realistically requires a supported rooted device, though there's a NetHunter Rootless variant that runs through Termux if you don't want to flash anything.
Hash Droid: Quick hash generation and verification when you're on the go and don't want to fire up a workstation.
VPN AND REMOTE ACCESS
Tailscale: The Android client is excellent. Install it, sign in, and you're on your tailnet. If you're not using Tailscale yet for remote access to your home or business network, you're making your life harder than it needs to be.
WireGuard: Official client. Lean, stable, and exactly what you'd expect.
OpenVPN for Android: Specifically Arne Schwabe's version, not the official OpenVPN Connect app. Better config handling and more flexibility.
WI-FI TOOLS
WiFiAnalyzer (by VREM): Open source, no ads, just channel utilization graphs, signal strength, and a clean AP list. Avoid the closed-source clones with the same name; there are several scammy ones.
WiGLE WiFi Wardriving: For SSID and BSSID mapping. Optionally uploads to the WiGLE database if you want to contribute to the world's largest wireless network map.
Speedtest by Ookla: Still what clients expect to see. I usually cross-check with speed.cloudflare.com in a browser.
PRIVACY, DNS, AND BROWSING
NextDNS or AdGuard: Device-level DNS-over-HTTPS filtering. NextDNS gives you analytics and per-profile configuration, which is great when you want different filtering for work vs. personal use.
Orbot Plus Tor Browser: Tor on Android when you need it.
Brave or Cromite: Hardened Chromium-based browsers with built-in adblock. Cromite is a fork of the now-defunct Bromite and is actively maintained.
PASSWORDS AND 2FA
Bitwarden: You can self-host the server (or use Vaultwarden, the lightweight community alternative) if you want full control. Otherwise their hosted free tier is generous.
Aegis Authenticator: Open source, encrypted backups, and clean UI. This is the right answer for TOTP on Android. Way better than Google Authenticator or Authy, both of which have made some questionable decisions lately.
KeePassDX: If you prefer a local KeePass database over a cloud-synced solution.
HARDWARE AND HOMELAB COMPANIONS
Flipper Mobile App: Firmware updates, file transfers, and app installs for the Flipper Zero.
Home Assistant Companion: If you run Home Assistant, this is essential. The Android client also exposes phone sensors back to HA, which is useful for presence detection and automation triggers.
Meshtastic: Official Android client for Meshtastic mesh networks. Worth having even if your primary mesh stack is something else.
Sideband and Nomad: Reticulum network clients for Android. If you're running a Reticulum-based LoRa mesh, these are your interfaces.
HAM RADIO AND SDR
APRSdroid: APRS over RF or APRS-IS.
RepeaterBook: Repeater directory. Indispensable when you're traveling and want to find local repeaters.
HamStudy.org: Exam prep for license upgrades.
SDR Touch and RF Analyzer: For USB OTG SDR dongles, if you carry one in your kit.
APPS TO AVOID
A quick warning: skip zANTI and cSploit. Both are essentially abandoned and haven't been updated in years. More broadly, be very skeptical of any "all-in-one hacker toolkit" app on the Play Store. The vast majority are either repackaged scripts, ad-laden trash, or actively malicious. Stick to F-Droid and developers with a verifiable track record for anything in the security space.
WRAPPING UP
Your mileage will vary depending on what you do day-to-day, but this lineup covers the vast majority of what I run into during client work and homelab projects. A few of these (such as Fing, Termux, Tailscale, Aegis, and PCAPdroid) earn their keep every single week.
If you're a small business owner in the Vancouver, WA or Portland metro area and you're trying to figure out which tools belong on your team's phones, or you need help building out a defensible network and security posture, that's exactly what I do at Pacific Northwest Computers. Reach out if you have any questions or would like/need some guidance!
You can also check out the companion iOS App list!
Created & Maintained by Pacific Northwest Computers
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SW Washington including Vancouver WA, Battle Ground WA, Camas WA, Washougal WA, Longview WA, Kelso WA, and Portland OR
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