Key Takeaways
- OSINT tools empower users to gather and analyze publicly available data, with applications in investigations, security research, and trend analysis.
- Top free OSINT tools for 2025 include Google Dorks, blockchain explorers, Shodan, and others, each offering unique capabilities.
- Blockchain technology enhances OSINT efforts by providing transparent and immutable transaction records.
- OSINT tools and blockchain advancements are poised to grow in 2025, expanding applications in cybersecurity, environmental tracking, and compliance monitoring.
The internet has made an abundance of data available at the click of a button and more than 67% of people have access to it globally. But with vast quantities of data available, across thousands of databases and platforms, knowing how to access and analyze the right information remains a challenge. This is where Open Source Intelligence Tools (OSINT) come into play. By leveraging publicly available data, OSINT tools enable individuals and organizations to gather insights for investigations, research, or security purposes.
From mapping social networks to tracking cryptocurrency transactions, OSINT tools offer diverse capabilities for investigating subjects of interest.
In this article, we’ll examine nine free OSINT tools that are reshaping how we sift through the vast amounts of information online, and explore how blockchain technology might enhance OSINT capabilities.
10 Free OSINT Tools to Use in 2025
From digital footprints to blockchain analysis, OSINT tools can help you uncover insights from various sources of publicly available data. Here are the most useful free OSINT tools available.
| Tool Name | Key Capabilities |
|---|---|
| Google Dorks | Advanced search queries for Google searches |
| Blockchain explorers | Trace cryptocurrency transactions and identify wallet activity |
| OnChain Industries | Find data about associated Web3 accounts and wallets |
| Google Earth | Satellite view for locations worldwide |
| Shodan | Scan the internet for connected devices and identify exposed systems |
| Maltego | Map relationships between organizations, people, and infrastructure |
| Birdhunt | Retrieve historical and real-time data from Twitter based on location |
| Instahunt | Retrieve historical and real-time data from Instagram based on location |
| Whopostedwhat | View posts from Facebook based on a set of criteria |
| Earth Engine Timelapse | Provides a time-lapse video from 1984 to 2022 for tracking environmental changes |
Google Dorks
- Advanced search queries to find specific, often overlooked information.
- Insights into indexed content are not easily visible through standard searches.
Google Dorks involves using specialized search operators, or query structures, to extract targeted results from Google’s vast index. For example, using intitle:index.of will allow you to find pages with specific words in their title.
With this tool, you can uncover hidden web pages, unsecured files, or even exposed databases. In addition, you can use Google Dorks to improve your search results, search for specific elements such as phone numbers, addresses, and more. Security researchers use Google Dorks to audit websites for exposed files, while investigative journalists can utilize it to track down hard-to-find public records or reports.
Blockchain Explorers
- Trace cryptocurrency transactions.
- Identify wallet activities and balances.
Blockchain explorers like BTCscan, Etherscan, or Solscan allow users to search public blockchain records. Since all transactions on the blockchain are recorded in a public ledger, everyone is free to explore it. By entering wallet addresses or transaction IDs, you can trace the movement of funds across the blockchain, read associated smart contracts, and more.
Blockchain explorers can be used for a number of activities. For example, these tools help uncover patterns in cryptocurrency transactions, analyze wallet activity, and investigate potential fraud or money laundering schemes.
Regulators and compliance officers use blockchain explorers to monitor suspicious transactions. On the other hand, cryptocurrency enthusiasts and investors can use them to verify token transfers or audit decentralized finance (DeFi) projects.
OnChain Industries
- In-depth Web3 searches
- Overview of linked accounts
Onchain Industries is an OSINT platform designed to streamline investigation discovery in the Web3 ecosystem. It automates searching for and gathering information about individuals’ Web3 accounts, giving an overview of linked accounts. OnChain empowers users to uncover insights quickly and efficiently, allowing them to search for wallets, usernames, and emails.
For example, users can enter a wallet address that they want to track and learn more about any accounts associated with it. OnChain Industries supports popular blockchains such as Ethereum, Solana, Tron, BNB Chain, Polygon, Optimism, Arbitrum, and Base, as well as any EVM-compatible chains.
In addition, the platform also reveals any red flags associated with the address such as blackmail, cyber crime, fraud, hacking, and others. OnChain Industries offers free access to basic functionality for registered users, while advanced features are available through paid plans tailored to more in-depth investigative needs.
The platform can be used by regular users as well as investigators or regulators to aid their Web3-related searches.
Google Earth
- Access satellite imagery for specific locations worldwide.
- Measure distances and analyze terrain.
Google Earth came out over a decade ago and it combines high-resolution satellite images with geographic data. Hence, the result is detailed views of locations all around the world which users can search through coordinates or browse to gain insights.
From identifying infrastructure layouts to analyzing environmental changes, Google Earth offers valuable spatial data. It’s particularly useful for tracking construction projects or investigating changes in natural landscapes. Lastly, you can also use it to explore your next travel location.
Urban planners assess land use changes, while journalists can use it to verify stories about deforestation or military activities in conflict zones.
Shodan
- Scans the internet for connected devices and systems.
- Identifies open ports, exposed webcams, and unprotected servers.
Shodan searches for devices connected to the internet, ranging from webcams to industrial control systems. In addition, it provides detailed information about their IP addresses and geographic locations. It also facilitates vulnerability assessments, threat intelligence collection, and security research by indexing and organizing these devices.
By revealing exposed devices, Shodan enables users to assess cybersecurity risks and identify unsecured systems vulnerable to attacks. With Shodan, you can check if any of your devices are exposed.
Cybersecurity professionals use Shodan to monitor their networks and mitigate weak points. Ethical hackers leverage it during penetration testing to assess organizational vulnerabilities.
Maltego
- Maps relationships between people, organizations, and infrastructure.
- Integrates data from multiple sources for comprehensive analysis.
Maltego creates visual relationship graphs by connecting data points such as email addresses, social media accounts, and domain names. Consequently, its powerful software helps users uncover hidden connections and accelerate cyber investigations.
Maltego excels at mapping affiliations between individuals, organizations, or online accounts. As a result, this makes it invaluable for complex investigations or cybercrime analysis.
Investigators uncover links between suspects in different cases, while businesses can analyze supply chain risks or cybersecurity threats.
Birdhunt (Twitter/X)
- Retrieves historical and real-time data from Twitter (now X)
- Displays results based on location.
Birdhunt offers advanced search capabilities on the Twitter/X platform, allowing users to filter tweets by location. This is useful because it allows you to get more information about the social sentiment in a specific area.
Track public sentiment in a specific location, uncover different campaigns, and analyze event-related discussions in real time. Marketing teams can monitor brand mentions, while researchers can investigate behavioral trends or study the spread of misinformation.
Instahunt
- The equivalent of Birdhunt but for Instagram.
- Scrapes publicly available data from Instagram based on location.
Instahunt retrieves and organizes Instagram data by enabling searches based on location. Consequently, this allows users to compile comprehensive datasets from public accounts.
Gain insights into popular trends, geographic activity, and user engagement across public Instagram profiles.
Social media analysts can monitor influencer campaigns. On the other hand, security professionals can track suspicious activity or fake accounts.
Whopostedwhat
- Retrieves posts from Facebook based on a set of criteria.
- Displays Instagram posts at a specific location on a certain date or earlier
Whopostedwhat indexes publicly shared Facebook posts. In addition, users can search for specific phrases, URLs, or publishers to locate content. Lastly, the platform also allows for similar searches on Instagram.
Access content filtered by accounts, date range, or a specific date. Furthermore, it allows for checking or narrative tracking over time.
Journalists verify controversial claims, while investigators monitor activity related to criminal behavior or misinformation campaigns.
Earth Engine Timelapse
- Provides time-lapse imagery for tracking environmental changes.
- Accesses decades of satellite data.
Google Earth Engine Timelapse compiles satellite images from decades of data into a zoomable video. As a result, it enables users to observe geographic or environmental changes over time.
Analyze deforestation, urban development, or the impact of natural disasters across specific regions.
Climate scientists track global warming effects, while activists document environmental degradation to raise awareness or support conservation efforts.
How Can Blockchain Be Used for OSINT?
Blockchain technology is inherently transparent, making it a powerful tool for OSINT practitioners. At the same time, public blockchains provide open access to transaction histories, wallet addresses, and related data. Blockchain can enhance OSINT efforts with:
- Transparency: Blockchains are immutable ledgers, offering reliable data for tracing financial activities.
- Network Analysis: Blockchain explorers allow users to uncover relationships between wallets, revealing patterns in financial transactions.
- Verification: Blockchain records can authenticate claims about financial activity or ownership, ensuring accuracy.
- Cross-Border Accessibility: Cryptocurrencies operate globally, enabling the tracking of assets across jurisdictions.
For example, forensic analysts can use blockchain data to investigate money laundering, while businesses leverage it to ensure compliance in cryptocurrency transactions.
Closing Thoughts
OSINT tools are changing the way users and organizations gather and analyze publicly available data. Furthermore, from tracking digital footprints on social media to uncovering blockchain transactions, OSINT tools provide invaluable insights for investigations and research.
In 2025, advancements in OSINT technology and the integration of blockchain capabilities could expand the possibilities for open-source intelligence even further. In conclusion, by using these tools effectively, users can unlock a vast amount of information, no matter if they’re security professionals, researchers, or everyday users seeking clarity in a data-rich world.
