Best Shodan Alternatives in 2026
Shodan is the most well-known internet search engine for security researchers, but it's not the only option. Here are the best alternatives with better pricing, unique features, and different strengths.
compare_arrows Quick Comparison
| Platform | Pricing | Free Tier |
|---|---|---|
| Free (50/day), Pro $29/mo, Business $79/mo | check | |
| Free (250 queries/mo), Teams: contact sales, Enterprise ASM: $thousands/mo | check | |
| Free (50 credits/day), Lite $49/mo, Medium $99/mo | check | |
| Free (limited), VIP plans available | check | |
| Free (limited), VIP points-based system (CNY) | check | |
| Community (free, limited), Paid plans from $25k+/year | check | |
| Free (250 queries/mo), Starter $10/mo, Business $500/mo | check | |
| Shodan (reference) | Free (limited), Membership $69/mo, Small Biz $359/mo | check |
star Zondex
BEST VALUEOpen internet search engine powered by ClickHouse with built-in threat intelligence, search dorks, and a generous free tier. Ideal for security researchers who want fast, affordable access to internet scan data.
Censys
Enterprise-focused attack surface management platform with the largest TLS certificate database. Strong on asset discovery and compliance monitoring for large organizations.
Criminal IP
South Korean cyber threat intelligence platform with CTI risk scoring, phishing detection, and a Chrome extension. Focuses on IP reputation and domain safety analysis.
ZoomEye
Chinese cyberspace search engine by Knownsec with its own dork system and device fingerprinting. Strong coverage in the Asia-Pacific region.
FOFA
Chinese internet asset search engine with massive indexed data. Uses a points-based credit system and has strong coverage in China and Asia-Pacific networks.
GreyNoise
Specialized in identifying internet background noise and mass scanning activity. Helps SOC teams reduce alert fatigue by classifying benign vs malicious scanners.
BinaryEdge
Internet scanning platform focused on risk scoring and data breach detection. Offers real-time threat intelligence feeds and integrates with security workflows.
swap_horiz Why Consider a Shodan Alternative?
Lower Pricing
Shodan Membership costs $69/mo with limited features. Alternatives like Zondex offer comparable functionality starting at $29/mo.
Specialized Features
Different platforms excel in specific areas: Criminal IP for threat scoring, GreyNoise for noise filtering, Zondex for speed and dorks.
Better Free Tiers
Shodan's free access is very limited. Zondex gives 50 free searches per day, while BinaryEdge and Censys offer 250 queries/month free.
Regional Coverage
Platforms like FOFA and ZoomEye have stronger coverage in Asia-Pacific, which Shodan may underrepresent in its scans.
Try Zondex — The Best Free Shodan Alternative
50 free searches per day. No credit card required. ClickHouse-powered speed.