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Censys vs Shodan: Which Cybersecurity Is Better in 2026?

Compare pricing, features, integrations, verified reviews, AI capabilities, security, and customer satisfaction, side by side, with no marketing spin.

Censys
Censys
Rating
,
Reviews
0
From
Custom

in Cybersecurity

Shodan
Shodan
Rating
,
Reviews
0
From
Custom

in Cybersecurity

Jump to scorecard Ask SIA

The Short Answer

Censys vs Shodan, in 15 seconds

Choose Censys if…

  • You prefer Censys's approach and ecosystem

Choose Shodan if…

  • You prefer Shodan's approach and ecosystem

Head-to-Head Scorecard

How Censys and Shodan score

It's evenly matched, each leads on 0 of 9 measured dimensions.

  • Customer Rating

    Average score from verified user reviews

    Even
    Censys
    No reviews
    Shodan
    No reviews

  • Review Volume

    Number of verified reviews, a proxy for adoption

    Even
    Censys
    0
    Shodan
    0

  • Entry Pricing

    Lowest published starting price (free plan = lowest)

    Even
    Censys
    Custom
    Shodan
    Custom

  • Free Access

    Availability of a free plan and/or free trial

    Even
    Censys
    Free trial
    Shodan
    Free trial

  • Integrations

    Number of listed third-party integrations

    Even
    Censys
    6
    Shodan
    6

  • Features

    Number of listed product capabilities

    Even
    Censys
    0
    Shodan
    0

  • AI Features

    Capabilities mentioning AI, automation or ML

    Even
    Censys
    ,
    Shodan
    ,

  • Security & Compliance

    Number of listed compliance certifications

    Even
    Censys
    2
    Shodan
    2

  • Platforms & Deployment

    Supported platforms and deployment options

    Even
    Censys
    4
    Shodan
    4

Feature Comparison

Censys vs Shodan feature breakdown

Search or filter the full feature matrix, core features, AI, integrations, APIs, security and compliance.

Censys
Shodan
Overview
User rating
,
,
Pricing model
Quote-based
Quote-based
Starting price
Custom
Custom
Free version
Free trial
Features
Key capabilities
,
,
AI features
,
,
Integrations & API
Integrations
TenableQualysRapid7CrowdStrikeServiceNowJira
TenableQualysRapid7CrowdStrikeServiceNowJira
Public API
Platforms
Deployment
CloudSaaS
CloudSaaS
Platforms
WebAPI
WebAPI
Mobile support
Security & Compliance
Compliance
SOC 2ISO 27001
SOC 2ISO 27001
Vendor
Company
,
,
Verified
Founded
2017
2009
Headquarters
Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
Austin, Texas, USA

Pricing Comparison

Censys vs Shodan pricing

Entry pricing, plan tiers and the cost factors that shape total cost of ownership.

Censys

Custom to start
ProfessionalCustom
  • internet-wide scan data
  • Standard support
  • attack surface management
  • Integrations
EnterpriseCustom
  • threat hunting
  • Everything in Professional
  • Dedicated support and onboarding
  • exposure alerts

Shodan

Custom to start
ProfessionalCustom
  • device and service search
  • Analytics and reporting
  • Integrations
  • exposure monitoring
EnterpriseCustom
  • Dedicated support and onboarding
  • APIs
  • historical data
  • Everything in Professional

Total cost of ownership factors

Free planCensys Shodan
Free trial to evaluateCensys Shodan
Transparent published pricingCensys Shodan
Public API (build vs. buy add-ons)Censys Shodan

Beyond list price, factor in implementation, training, add-ons and per-seat scaling when estimating total cost of ownership.

Pros & Cons

Censys vs Shodan: strengths and trade-offs

Censys

Pros

  • Free trial offered
  • Compliance: SOC 2, ISO 27001
  • Public API available

Cons

  • No free plan
  • Pricing is quote-based (less transparent)

Shodan

Pros

  • Free trial offered
  • Compliance: SOC 2, ISO 27001
  • Public API available

Cons

  • No free plan
  • Pricing is quote-based (less transparent)

Buyer Fit

Who should use Censys vs Shodan?

Startups

Either

Either keeps early-stage costs lowest with its entry tier.

Small businesses

Either

Either offers the most accessible pricing for lean teams.

Agencies

Either

Either connects to more tools for multi-client workflows.

Enterprises

Either

Either leads on compliance and breadth for complex needs.

Ecommerce

Either

Either integrates with more of the commerce stack.

SaaS companies

Either

Either is the more developer- and automation-friendly choice.

Integration overlap

Shared integrations (6)

TenableQualysRapid7CrowdStrikeServiceNowJira

Only in Censys (0)

Only in Shodan (0)

Keep Exploring

Other alternatives worth considering

Similar cybersecurity products buyers compare alongside Censys and Shodan.

CyCognito

CyCognito

Custom
NetSPI

NetSPI

Custom
Tenable

Tenable

$0/mo
Qualys

Qualys

Custom
Hadrian

Hadrian

Custom
More Censys alternatives →More Shodan alternatives →

Ask SIA which solution fits your business

SIA, Saaskart's AI buying assistant, weighs Censys and Shodan against your team size, budget, integrations and compliance needs, then recommends the right fit and the questions to ask each vendor.

Get a personalised recommendation

Censys vs Shodan, Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Censys and Shodan?

Censys and Shodan are both Cybersecurity solutions. Censys is rated 0.0/5 by 0 users, while Shodan is rated 0.0/5 by 0 users. The main differences lie in pricing, features, and target audience.

Which is better, Censys or Shodan?

Based on user ratings, Censys scores higher at 0.0/5. The best choice depends on your team size, budget, and specific requirements.

Which is cheaper, Censys or Shodan?

Both products have custom pricing. We recommend contacting both vendors for a quote tailored to your team size.

Does Censys or Shodan have a free plan?

Neither Censys nor Shodan currently offers a free plan, but Censys provides a free trial.

Can I switch from Censys to Shodan?

Switching between Censys and Shodan is possible. Both support data export. Check integration compatibility and plan for data migration to minimise disruption to your team.

Who should use Censys vs Shodan?

Censys is best suited for teams that prioritise enterprise features. Shodan works well for teams needing advanced capabilities.

Our Verdict

The bottom line on Censys vs Shodan

Best Overall

Either

It's a tie balances user satisfaction and proven adoption.

Best for Startups

Either

It's a tie has the friendliest entry point for new teams.

Best for Enterprise

Either

It's a tie leads on compliance and feature breadth.

Best Value

Either

It's a tie delivers the lowest cost to get started.

Best AI Features

Either

Comparable AI capabilities on both sides.

Highest Rated

Either

Both earn equal user ratings.

Ready to decide between Censys and Shodan?

Visit Censys Visit Shodan Ask SIA
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