What is OSINT Framework?
OSINT Framework is a free website that maps open source intelligence resources as an interactive tree. You start from a category such as username, email address, domain name, images and videos, public records, geolocation or dark web, and expand branches until you reach links to the individual tools and sites, around 1,170 of them at the time of writing.
It was created by Justin Nordine with an information security focus and grew to cover journalism, research and other fields. The project focuses on free resources, though some linked sites need registration or charge for more data. Each tool can carry notes on what it does, inputs and outputs, pricing and OPSEC considerations, and the list is maintained as an open source project on GitHub that accepts suggestions.
Main Features
- Interactive tree of OSINT tools grouped by what you start with
- Over 30 top level categories, from usernames and email to blockchain and disinformation
- Markers for tools that run locally, Google dorks, registration and manual URL editing
- Tool panels with descriptions, input and output, pricing and OPSEC notes
- Search box to find a tool by name
- Light and dark modes
- Open source list on GitHub that anyone can suggest additions to
How to Get Started with OSINT Framework
- Open osintframework.com in your browser.
- Click the category that matches what you already have, such as a username, domain or image.
- Keep expanding branches until you reach the tools for your task, and open a tool panel to read its notes.
- Follow the link to the tool, keeping its registration, pricing and OPSEC notes in mind.
OSINT Framework Pricing
OSINT Framework is completely free to use. Some of the third-party tools it links to require registration or charge for more data.
Who Should Use It?
- Journalists starting an online investigation
- Security researchers and penetration testers looking for the right recon tool
- Students and trainers learning OSINT
- Due diligence and fraud investigators
- Anyone who wants a map of free research tools in one place
OSINT Framework Alternatives
- Bellingcat Toolkit: an online investigations toolkit curated by the Bellingcat research community.
- SpiderFoot: an open source tool that automates many OSINT lookups in a single scan.
- Google Hacking Database: a free index of search queries that reveal data accidentally exposed online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is OSINT Framework free?
Yes. OSINT Framework is free to use with no account. It focuses on free resources, although some of the linked tools need registration or charge for extra data.
Is it legal to use the tools in OSINT Framework?
The framework links to publicly available tools and sources, and using them for research is generally legal. How you use the information matters: follow privacy and data protection laws, respect each site's terms, and do not use people search tools to harass or stalk anyone.
Who made OSINT Framework?
OSINT Framework was created by Justin Nordine, who started it from an information security point of view. The list is maintained as an open source project on GitHub.