OSINT Framework
A web directory of free open-source intelligence (OSINT) tools and resources, organized as a menu.
- Stars
- 12.4k
- Forks
- 2.1k
- Licence
- MIT
- Language
- JavaScript
- Last update
- 6 days ago
- Type
- Learning resource
What it is
OSINT Framework is a curated, categorized collection of links to free online tools and resources for gathering information from public sources. It is presented as an interactive tree on the project website, so you can drill down by topic to find a relevant site. The README says it was created from an information security viewpoint, and that the author welcomes resources from other fields too.
- Browse the website's category tree to find tools for a given type of search, such as usernames or domains
- Check the legend markers to see which listed tools require registration, run locally, or are Google dorks
- Use the README's metadata field list as a template when contributing a new entry via pull request
Great for
- Researchers looking for a starting point to find free public-information tools
- Security professionals who want a broad list of reconnaissance resources
- Journalists or investigators who need to find where to search for a topic
- Students learning what kinds of public sources exist for intelligence gathering
Not ideal for
- People expecting a software program to install and run, since the README describes a link directory rather than an application
- Anyone needing guaranteed-current tool listings, because the README notes some entries may need registration or paid access and does not promise every link is live
How to get it
- 1
Use it in the browser (or self-host)
Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/lockfale/OSINT-Framework - 2
Run it
- Open https://osintframework.com in a web browser
- Expand a category in the tree menu to see its resources
- Check the (T), (D), (R), or (M) markers next to each entry before you use it
- 3
Get the most out of it
- Read the legend to understand the markers before clicking links
- Note that (R) entries need an account and (T) entries need local installation
- Review the opsec field on entries if the README's metadata is present, since it covers operational security considerations
- Contribute new free resources by editing arf.json and opening a pull request, as the README describes
Downloads
Strengths
- Free and MIT-licensed, with a large community following on GitHub
- Groups many resources in one place, and the README says it aims to include a portion of data at no cost
- Entries use clear markers for registration, local install, and Google dorks
Trade-offs
- Entries are links to third-party sites, so availability and accuracy depend on those sites
- The README says some listed sites need registration or paid access
- The README does not state how frequently the listings are reviewed
How it compares
| Project | Stars | Type | Level | Updated | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OSINT-Framework (this) | 12.4k | Learning resource | beginner | 6 days ago | Researchers looking for a starting point to find free public-information tools |
| spiderfoot | 24.2k | App | intermediate | 7 months ago | Security professionals doing reconnaissance during penetration tests or red team exercises |
| sherlock | 95.4k | CLI | intermediate | 4 days ago | Security researchers doing authorized open-source intelligence work |
| subfinder | 14.7k | CLI | intermediate | 4 days ago | Security testers doing reconnaissance on a domain they are authorized to test |
| maigret | 39.6k | App | intermediate | 4 days ago | Investigators and analysts doing OSINT research on a username |
| web-check | 35.3k | App | intermediate | 4 days ago | Developers checking how a site is configured |
Stats synced from GitHub. The assessment above was drafted with AI from the project's README on 2026-10-29 and may miss recent changes — check the README before relying on a command. MIT licence: free to use, modify and distribute, including commercially, as long as you keep the copyright notice.