What is OSINT and why does it matter in corporate security?
Using Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) techniques and tools as operational support has become standard practice across many fields, including public safety, business and private security, among many other applications. In fact, no professional investigation, monitoring or protection strategy can realistically be delivered without being complemented by OSINT techniques and tools.
Researching and analysing social media, websites, news outlets, forums, blogs and the dark web (among dozens of additional source categories) is a key factor in identifying useful information that, through the intelligence cycle, can then be turned into actionable intelligence to underpin our decision-making systems.
This is critical in corporate security, where protecting assets, anticipating risk and mitigating threats is largely done through OSINT solutions (background checks, digital footprint mapping, event monitoring, due diligence, executive protection and so on).
What are OSINT tools?
OSINT tools are applications, software or services that make it possible to collect, analyse and correlate publicly available information from the internet or other open sources (social media, websites, public records, forums, the press, and so on) for investigative and intelligence purposes.
At Cibergy we have put together a ranking of the top 15 advanced OSINT tools and platforms, focused on corporate security, that every intelligence analyst and investigator should know about in 2025.
The 15 best OSINT tools in 2025
1. Social Links Crimewall
Overview: Social Links’ Crimewall is an OSINT tool that collects and analyses data from more than 500 public sources, including social media, messaging apps, corporate databases, Telegram, blockchain and the dark web, with advanced visualisation for investigations.
Key features:
- Data collection from multiple public sources.
- Visualisation of connections through graphs and maps.
- Automated analysis of social media and the dark web.
- Real-time collaboration for teams.
- Identification of related profiles and links.
- Threat monitoring across social media and forums.
Pricing: Not publicly available; contact sales@sociallinks.io for details.
Website: https://www.sociallinks.io/
2. Maltego Monitor
Overview: Maltego Monitor is an OSINT platform for monitoring public sources in real time, integrating data from social media, the dark web and databases, with entity analysis and link visualisation.
Key features:
- Mapping of relationships between entities (people, companies, objects, etc.)
- Real-time monitoring of social media and the dark web.
- AI-powered sentiment analysis to detect threats.
- Integration with internal and public databases.
- Automation of investigative processes.
- Rapid searches on individuals and risk actors.
Pricing: Community edition: free; Professional: ~€6,000/year; Enterprise: contact sales.
Website: https://www.maltego.com/
3. Talkwalker
Overview: Talkwalker is a social media analytics and news and media monitoring tool that detects trends, sentiment and threats (both real-time and historical), making it well suited to protecting corporate reputation.
Key features:
- Monitoring of social media, blogs and forums.
- AI-powered sentiment analysis to identify risks.
- Detection of threats to assets or personnel.
- Real-time alerts on critical events.
- Visual dashboards that are simple to export.
- Custom reports to support decision-making.
Pricing: Custom plans; contact Talkwalker for details.
Website: https://www.talkwalker.com/
4. OSINT Industries
Overview: OSINT Industries is a search tool that links email addresses, phone numbers, usernames or wallets to online accounts, streamlining corporate investigations and enabling the identification of individuals.
Key features:
- Searching for accounts linked to specific data points.
- Real-time digital footprint analysis.
- Identification of connections across platforms.
- Support for investigations into individuals.
- Detection of fraudulent activity.
- Data enrichment for complete profiles.
Pricing: Plans from £19/month (basic) up to £99/month (advanced).
Website: https://osint.industries/
5. Skopenow
Overview: Skopenow is an advanced OSINT platform that automates the collection and analysis of public data to identify risk, fraud and threats, with a focus on corporate and legal investigations.
Key features:
- Analysis of social media and public data.
- Detection of fraud and suspicious activity.
- Generation of detailed reports for audits.
- Identification of connections between entities.
- Monitoring of reputational risk.
- Automation of OSINT searches.
Pricing: Usage-based subscription; contact for details.
Website: https://www.skopenow.com/
6. Shadow Dragon Horizon Identity
Overview: ShadowDragon’s Horizon Identity is an OSINT tool that correlates multiple identifiers (emails, phone numbers, usernames, IPs) from more than 200 public sources, building unified profiles for fast, accurate corporate security investigations.
Key features:
- Identification of individuals and case management.
- Data collection from social media and forums.
- Creation of social connection graphs.
- Monitoring of activity and relationships.
- Predictive alerts based on data.
- Identification of aliases and linked profiles.
Pricing: Annual licences ranging from €5,000 to €12,000.
Website: https://www.shadowdragon.io/
7. Google Dorks
Overview: Google Dorks are advanced Google search techniques that make it possible to uncover exposed public information, such as sensitive company data, for security audits.
Key features:
- Searching for exposed data.
- Identification of vulnerabilities.
- Precise access to public information.
- Rapid security audits.
- Custom searches.
- Digital risk analysis.
Pricing: Free, using the Google search engine.
Website: https://www.google.com
8. Geospy
Overview: Geospy is an AI-powered OSINT tool that analyses images and public data to geolocate places, people or events, useful for corporate security investigations and risk monitoring.
Key features:
- AI-powered image geolocation.
- Analysis of public data.
- Identification of locations.
- Real-time event monitoring.
- Geographic data enrichment.
- Support for public and private security investigations.
Pricing: See their website; varies by plan.
Website: https://www.geospy.ai
9. EPIEOS
Overview: EPIEOS is a free OSINT tool that checks whether an email address or phone number is associated with online accounts, making it ideal for investigations into individuals.
Key features:
- Searching for linked accounts.
- Verification of emails and phone numbers.
- Digital footprint analysis.
- Identification of social profiles.
- Support for investigations into individuals.
- Integration with Maltego.
Pricing: Free (limited version), with premium plans on their site.
Website: https://www.epieos.com
10. UserSearch 2.0
Overview: UserSearch 2.0 is an OSINT tool that identifies online profiles associated with usernames, email addresses or phone numbers, streamlining corporate security investigations and the mapping of a person of interest’s digital footprint.
Key features:
- Searching for online accounts.
- Identification of social profiles.
- Digital footprint analysis.
- Identity verification.
- Monitoring of digital risk.
- AI-powered data enrichment.
Pricing: See their website; free and paid plans available.
Website: https://www.usersearch.org
11. Samdesk
Overview: Samdesk is a real-time threat monitoring and situational awareness platform that detects crises and alerts through social media and news outlets, well suited to corporate risk management, executive protection, critical infrastructure and travel risk.
Key features:
- Social media monitoring.
- Real-time crisis detection.
- Sentiment analysis.
- Threat alerts.
- Incident reporting.
- Reputation management.
Pricing: See their website; subscription-based.
Website: https://www.samdesk.io
12. DarkOwl Vision
Overview: DarkOwl Vision is an OSINT tool that gathers data from the dark web and public sources to identify cyber threats and protect corporate assets, including the identification of compromised accounts, data breaches, risk actors and more.
Key features:
- Dark web monitoring.
- Detection of leaked data.
- Cyber threat analysis.
- Protection of corporate assets and accounts.
- Integration with Maltego.
- Cybersecurity data enrichment.
Pricing: See their website; plans tailored to requirements.
Website: https://www.darkowl.com
13. KELA Cyber
Overview: KELA Cyber provides cyber threat intelligence, monitoring the dark web and public sources to protect companies from attacks and leaks.
Key features:
- Dark web monitoring.
- Detection of cyber threats.
- Analysis of leaked data.
- Protection of corporate credentials.
- Intelligence reports and dashboards.
- Mitigation of digital risk.
Pricing: See their website; subscription-based.
Website: https://www.kelacyber.com
14. Pimeyes
Overview: Pimeyes is a facial recognition search engine that locates images of a person across the internet, useful for managing corporate privacy risk.
Key features:
- Facial recognition across the internet.
- Identification of public images.
- Privacy management.
- Detection of unauthorised use.
- Monitoring of online presence.
- Removal of unwanted photos.
Pricing: Free (limited) and paid plans; see their site.
Website: https://www.pimeyes.com
15. HaveIbeenPwned
Overview: HaveIbeenPwned is a free tool that checks whether email addresses or passwords have been compromised in data leaks, helping to protect corporate accounts.
Key features:
- Verification of compromised email addresses.
- Detection of leaked passwords.
- Monitoring of data breaches.
- Security alerts.
- Protection of corporate credentials.
- Account risk analysis.
Pricing: Free, with premium services available.
Website: http://www.haveibeenpwned.com
How to choose the best OSINT tool for your company
Choosing the right advanced OSINT tool or platform is not straightforward.
Understanding a tool’s capabilities, features and applications in depth, along with its learning curve and the value it can add relative to the operational needs we actually have, is essential to getting the decision right.
Taking proper advice and having the support of professionals in the field is fundamental, both to avoid poor choices and to make sure the investment matches our requirements.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Why did we choose these OSINT tools?
The tools were selected after reviewing user opinions and expert commentary, and testing them ourselves. We wanted a varied list that covered different use cases and included both well-known options and lesser-known alternatives.
What kind of information can you obtain with OSINT?
Almost anything that is publicly available on the internet: social media, company websites, databases, news, forums and even some dark web pages. The key point is that anyone can access it without special permissions.
Is OSINT legal?
Yes, provided you are working with data that is open to the public. What changes is the use made of that information. Some companies have clear rules on this, and certain tools require a licence for professional use.
Who uses OSINT in practice?
The most common uses are:
- Security: detecting threats before they become a problem.
- Business: better understanding competitors and the market.
- Investigations: piecing information together to resolve a case.
- Online reputation: knowing what is being said about a person or brand.
How do these tools work?
It depends which one you choose. Some are ready to use straight from the web, others need installing on your computer, and many on GitHub run from the terminal, which calls for a degree of technical knowledge.
Who can carry out OSINT?
Anyone from security teams and companies through to journalists, researchers or simply curious individuals who want to learn more about conducting investigations using the internet and open sources.
