Free OSINT Tools: 10 Best Options to Start Open Source Intelligence
Open source intelligence (OSINT) means collecting information from public places on the internet. That includes websites, social media, public records and archived pages. OSINT helps journalists, security teams, researchers, and curious people learn more about a person, company or event.
You do not need an expensive subscription to begin. Many tools are completely free and useful for general tasks. This article lists ten free OSINT tools, explains what they do, and shows how to use them together.
How to Pick a Free OSINT Tool
Free does not always mean simple. When you choose a tool, check:
What it finds. Some tools look for usernames. Others map networks or extract image metadata.
How you use it. Some tools run in a web browser. Others need the command line.
Limits. Free tools may have rate limits or fewer features than paid ones.
Support. Active projects with documentation and community help are easier to use.
Also keep legal and ethical rules in mind. Public data can still be sensitive. Do not break terms of service or privacy laws.
Top 10 Completely Free OSINT Tools
Below are the ten tools we recommend. Each entry has a short use case, main strengths, platform and a source note you can link to from your site.
1. Maltego (Community Edition)
Summary
Maltego is a visual link analysis tool that maps relationships between domains, IPs, emails and accounts. It uses “transforms” to fetch and connect data. The free Community Edition has limited results per transform but remains useful for visualization.
Use case
Mapping the digital footprint of a company or showing how multiple domains link together.
Pros
Clear visual graphs.
Many built-in transforms.
Exports in multiple formats.
Cons
Limits in the free edition.
Learning curve for new users.
2. SpiderFoot (Community Edition)
Summary
SpiderFoot automates reconnaissance by scanning hundreds of sources for data on domains, IPs, emails and more. It can run locally with a web UI or from the command line.
Use case
Running a broad scan on a domain to find subdomains, breaches, and linked accounts.
Pros
Very broad coverage of sources.
Automated scans save time.
Reports export to JSON, CSV, HTML.
Cons
Some modules need API keys.
Large scans produce overwhelming data.
3. Recon-ng
Summary
Recon-ng is a command-line framework for web-based reconnaissance. It organizes modules for tasks like WHOIS lookups, DNS queries and social media checks. Results are stored in a built-in database.
Use case
Automating domain reconnaissance during a security assessment.
Pros
Modular and customizable.
Built-in data storage and reporting.
Good for automation.
Cons
CLI only, not beginner-friendly.
Requires API keys for many modules.
4. theHarvester
Summary
theHarvester gathers emails, names, subdomains and IPs from public search engines and other data sources. It is simple, fast, and widely used in the first stage of recon.
Use case
Collecting email addresses and subdomains tied to a company.
Pros
Lightweight and easy to run.
Works with multiple search engines.
Good starting point for domain OSINT.
Cons
Limited scope (only basic identifiers).
No advanced analysis or visualization.
5. Shodan (Free account)
Summary
Shodan is a search engine for internet-connected devices. It indexes banners, open ports, and metadata from exposed systems worldwide. A free account allows limited queries.
Use case
Finding exposed webcams or servers running outdated software.
Pros
Huge database of internet devices.
Filters for ports, country, and product.
Simple web UI.
Cons
Free tier has strict query limits.
Some advanced filters are paid.
6. Censys
Summary
Censys is another search engine for internet-facing hosts and TLS certificates. It scans the global IPv4 and IPv6 space and provides structured query results.
Use case
Discovering all certificates tied to a company’s domain.
Pros
Detailed host and certificate data.
Strong query language.
Active research community.
Cons
Free accounts limited in daily queries.
Query syntax can be complex for new users.
7. OSINT Framework
Summary
OSINT Framework is a curated web directory of OSINT tools and resources. It organizes links by task (usernames, images, public records, etc.).
Use case
Finding the right tool when you don’t know where to start.
Pros
Huge range of categorized tools.
Easy to browse.
Regularly updated.
Cons
It only points to tools, does not gather data.
Some links may break over time.
8. Wayback Machine (Internet Archive)
Summary
The Wayback Machine archives billions of webpages. It lets you view snapshots of a site from past dates, useful for recovering deleted or changed content.
Use case
Checking what a company website looked like before content was removed.
Pros
Free and easy to use.
Large historical archive.
API available for automation.
Cons
Not every site is archived.
Some pages may be incomplete.
9. FOCA (Metadata extraction)
Summary
FOCA scans domains for public files (PDFs, Word docs, etc.) and extracts hidden metadata such as usernames, software versions, and paths.
Use case
Discovering employee names and internal details hidden in metadata of public documents.
Pros
Bulk metadata extraction.
Supports many file types.
GUI for easier use (Windows).
Cons
Less maintained today.
Works only if files with metadata are accessible.
10. Sherlock
Summary
Sherlock is a Python tool that checks hundreds of websites for a username. It reports where a handle is registered.
Use case
Finding a person’s accounts across social media and forums.
Pros
Large, community-maintained site list.
Fast and parallel scanning.
Easy to extend with new sites.
Cons
Only checks existence, not identity.
Some sites may block queries.
Simple Workflow Using These Free Tools
No single tool finds everything. Here is a short workflow you can follow when you start a new OSINT task.
Define scope. Decide if you are looking at a person, domain, or device. Write one clear question.
Start with directories. Use the OSINT Framework to pick tools for the task.
Find identifiers. Run Sherlock and theHarvester to find usernames, emails, and subdomains.
Gather broader data. Feed those identifiers into SpiderFoot or Recon-ng to expand discovery.
Inspect infrastructure. Use Shodan or Censys to check for exposed devices or open ports.
Extract file metadata. If the target publishes files, run FOCA or a metadata extractor on them.
Visualize links. Import results into Maltego to map relationships.
Document everything. Save queries, timestamps and raw outputs. That helps repeat the process or audit it later.
This workflow is modular. Swap tools in or out based on the target and your comfort level.
Limits and Legal Notes
Free tools are powerful but have limits.
Some tools use public APIs with rate limits. You may need to pace queries.
Not every site or file is accessible. Some hosts block crawlers or remove metadata.
Free tools may not be updated as often as paid services. Check project activity before relying on them.
Legal rules vary by country. Public data still has rules. Respect privacy and the terms of service. If in doubt, consult legal guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do these tools require programming skills?
Some are point-and-click, like web directories or Maltego graphs. Others, like Recon-ng or Sherlock, run in a terminal and benefit from basic command-line skills. You can learn the commands quickly.
Are the tools safe to use?
Using them to read public information is usually safe. Avoid techniques that access private systems or break laws. Always follow legal and ethical guidelines.
Can I use these tools for journalism?
Yes. Journalists often use OSINT to verify claims, trace documents, and find public records. Confirm findings before publishing.
Final Thoughts
Free OSINT tools let anyone start researching public information. They cover many tasks: username checks, domain scans, device discovery, metadata extraction, and visualization. Use the tools together to build a clear picture. Start small. Learn one or two tools first. Keep notes and respect the law.