SpiderFoot
automation framework
broad authorized asset inventory
- Cost
- open source / commercial HX
- Setup
- medium
Authorized OSINT field guide · 2026-06-22
SpiderFoot alternatives by job
The best alternative depends on whether you need collection, enrichment, graphing or exposure lookup.
theHarvester
CLI collector
domain, email and host discovery
- Cost
- open source
- Setup
- low-medium
Recon-ng
recon framework
repeatable modular reconnaissance workflows
- Cost
- open source
- Setup
- high
Maltego
graph platform
relationship mapping and investigation graphs
- Cost
- freemium / paid
- Setup
- medium
Shodan
search engine
internet exposure lookup
- Cost
- limited free / paid
- Setup
- low
Censys
search engine
host and certificate exposure research
- Cost
- limited free / paid
- Setup
- low
All tools at a glance
A compact comparison for authorized defensive work.
On small screens, swipe the table horizontally.
| Tool | Best for | Self-hosted | Cost | Setup | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SpiderFootautomation framework | broad authorized asset inventory | yes | open source / commercial HX | medium | medium |
| theHarvesterCLI collector | domain, email and host discovery | yes | open source | low-medium | medium |
| Recon-ngrecon framework | repeatable modular reconnaissance workflows | yes | open source | high | medium |
| Maltegograph platform | relationship mapping and investigation graphs | partial | freemium / paid | medium | medium |
| Shodansearch engine | internet exposure lookup | no | limited free / paid | low | medium |
| Censyssearch engine | host and certificate exposure research | no | limited free / paid | low | medium |