Media Access Control, aka MAC Address – The codes specified by manufacturers to a device network interface card (NIC). Such codes are usually composed of 12 alphanumeric characters and are mainly used for identifying devices connected to a local network.
The MAC Address Lookup tools are used by network experts to identify the device manufacturer and get its details. These tools typically utilize databases of MAC address prefixes and their corresponding manufacturers and provide you with the necessary related information.
In this blog post, you’ll learn about the three best MAC Address Lookup tools that are free to use and get the job done fast and accurately.
Why Are MAC Address Lookup Tools Used?
MAC Address Lookup tools are mostly used by network experts for multiple purposes, including:
- Identifying and retrieving the device manufacturer details.
- Spotting and verifying what devices are connected to a local network.
- Finding the range of MAC addresses linked to the same manufacturer.
- Identifying unauthorized devices that try to connect to a network.
- Track down stolen or misplaced devices.
- Restricting access to devices with a particular MAC address to prevent them from connecting to a network.
Top 3 MAC Address Lookup Tools
When it comes to MAC Address Lookup tools, you can find many, many free options online. But not all of them are meant to provide authentic information. So, after testing various ones, we shortlisted the three that provide accurate information as registered with the IEEE Registration Authority. Let us get you into each of them one by one.
1. Macaddresslookup.io
It is a top free MAC Address Lookup tool that network experts can use for finding details such as:
- Vendor name
- Country
- Prefix
- Registration history
- Company address
Not only this, this tool also has a two-in-one capability, which means you can get vendor details by entering the MAC address or the MAC address details registered under a vendor name.
To perform a lookup using this tool, follow the steps shared below.
- Enter the MAC address inside the input box if you are looking for vendor details.
- If you are looking for MAC addresses registered under a vendor name, then enter the name in the input box.
- Depending on the information you are entering, choose an option between “Search by MAC” or “Search by Vendor”. You can also leave it to autodetect in case there’s confusion.
- Lastly, hit the ”Search” button to start the lookup process.
That’s it. Upon implementing the steps shared above, the tool will provide you with all the details mentioned earlier. To show you we did the same using a sample MAC address, and here’s what we got in return from the tool:
See the above image for yourself, won’t it include all the necessary information a network expert might be looking for?
It does, right? That is why this tool made it to the top of our list.
2. MAC Address Lookup by DNSChecker
This is the second-best MAC address lookup tool that got our attention during the research. Using its network, experts can get almost all the information that the previous one also provides, i.e., the manufacturer name, address, prefix, etc.
The main thing that makes it different from the top one is just the interface. Like, there are no separate buttons to perform separate searches by using the MAC address or vendor name. Yet, the tool seems to have an auto-detection functionality, which means network experts can get both information, including:
- Manufacturer company details.
- MAC addresses are registered under a manufacturer’s name.
Below are the steps that you need to follow to perform a MAC Address Lookup using this tool.
- Enter the MAC address to get the manufacturer details.
- Enter vendor name if you need the list of addresses registered under it.
- Hit the search button and wait for the result to appear (game of seconds).
To demonstrate, we provided this tool with a vendor name “Hewlett Packard” to get the list of MAC addresses registered under it.
Happily, the tool provided us with the complete list of addresses that is downloadable in JSON and CSV format.
3. MAC Address Lookup by Whatsmydns
The last best MAC Address Lookup tool on our list is the one by Whatsmydns.me (known for its DNS checker tool). This tool has somewhat similar functionality to the one we discussed at the very top. You can perform a Lookup search by providing both the MAC address and the vendor name.
The steps to perform the search are also almost similar.
- Enter the address or vendor name.
- Choose the search type,i.e., “Search by Mac” or Search by Vendor,” or leave it to auto detect.
- Click on the search button, and you’ll get all the details below the input box.
To demonstrate, we performed a MAC Address Lookup search, and below is what we got as output from the tool. See for yourself, like the previously discussed tool, it also has provided the necessary information a network expert might need.
Wrapping Up
MAC Address Lookup tools benefit network experts, helping them identify device manufacturers or determine which devices are connected to their local network. The three MAC Address Lookup tools discussed in this post above are the best options for performing the job. Try them out and let other fellows know if they’re beneficial.
