Software Alternatives & Startups

Shodan VS FriendlyData

Compare Shodan VS FriendlyData and see what are their differences

Shodan

Shodan is the world's first search engine for Internet-connected devices.

Rating
0 reviews
FriendlyData

Communicate with databases like a human

Rating
0 reviews
Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, Shodan seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 93 times since March 2021.

social mentions
93 vs 0
Security popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
208 vs 16

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

Shodan
FriendlyData
Website shodan.io friendlydata.io
Pricing —
Listed in

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Shodan 5 features
FriendlyData 3 features
  • Comprehensive Data Collection
    Shodan extensively scans the internet, collecting data from a wide range of devices and services, which provides users with a thorough overview of their network exposure.
  • Security Awareness
    It helps organizations identify and address security vulnerabilities by revealing exposed devices and services that might otherwise go unnoticed.
  • Automation Capabilities
    The platform offers an API that allows users to automate searches and integrate Shodan data into their own tools and workflows.
  • Detailed Search Filters
    Shodan provides advanced search filters that allow users to narrow down results based on specific criteria such as geographic location, device type, or operating system.
  • Real-Time Monitoring
    Users can set up real-time alerts to monitor for new exposures, ensuring timely response to potential threats.

Possible disadvantages

  • Ethical and Legal Concerns
    Shodan can be used by malicious actors to identify and exploit vulnerabilities, raising ethical and legal questions about its use and data collection practices.
  • Complex UI
    The user interface can be overwhelming for beginners due to its complexity and the vast amount of data available, making it difficult to navigate without prior experience.
  • Subscription Costs
    While Shodan offers a free tier, accessing advanced features and extensive search capabilities requires a subscription, which might be costly for some users.
  • Potential for False Positives
    The data collected by Shodan might include false positives, where benign devices are flagged as vulnerabilities, thus requiring users to manually verify each finding.
  • Privacy Concerns
    Since Shodan indexes devices connected to the internet, this can include personal and residential hardware, leading to privacy concerns for individuals whose devices are inadvertently exposed.
  • Ease of Use
    FriendlyData allows users to interact with databases using natural language queries, which makes it accessible for non-technical users who are not familiar with complex database query languages.
  • Time-Saving
    By enabling natural language processing, FriendlyData reduces the time it takes for users to get the information they need, facilitating quicker decision-making processes.
  • Integration
    FriendlyData can be integrated with various platforms and services, making it versatile for different business needs.

Possible disadvantages

  • Complex Queries Limitation
    While FriendlyData is useful for simple queries, it may struggle to accurately interpret and execute more complex queries, limiting its effectiveness for advanced data analysis.
  • Language Ambiguity
    Natural language processing might not always accurately interpret user queries, especially if the input is ambiguous or lacks specificity.
  • Dependency on Vendor
    Relying on third-party services like FriendlyData introduces dependency on the vendor for maintenance, updates, and support, which could pose risks if the service changes or is discontinued.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

Shodan
FriendlyData

Overall verdict

  • Shodan can be a valuable tool when used appropriately. It is particularly beneficial for cybersecurity experts seeking to analyze and secure networked devices. However, it can also be used for malicious purposes if accessed by individuals with harmful intent. Therefore, ethical considerations and legal compliance must guide its use.

Why this product is good

  • Shodan is often considered useful because it acts as a search engine for Internet-connected devices. It allows cybersecurity professionals to discover and assess the exposure of Internet of Things (IoT) devices and networks. Shodan's extensive database enables users to gather information on devices' IP addresses, operating systems, open ports, and potential vulnerabilities. This data can be instrumental in cybersecurity research and in developing strategies to protect against potential threats.

Recommended for

  • Cybersecurity professionals
  • Network administrators
  • Security researchers
  • IoT developers seeking to understand device exposure
  • Organizations conducting security audits

No analysis of FriendlyData yet.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Shodan 3 videos + Add
FriendlyData 0 videos + Add

Searching the Internet with Shodan (Seen in Mr. Robot)

More videos

  • - Bestech Shodan Unboxing & First Impressions
  • - Bestech Shodan FULL Review

No FriendlyData videos yet. You could help us improve this page by suggesting one.

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
Shodan
FriendlyData
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
AI
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%

User comments

Share your experience with using Shodan and FriendlyData. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

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Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

Shodan 93 mentions
FriendlyData 0 mentions
  • Meow.camera
    If you have a premium Shodan[0] account, they have an ‘Images’ view which is filtered VNC and other Remote Desktop screenshots and links to view them directly with the IP. Lots of security cameras, some SCADA industrial access control... - Source: Hacker News / 7 months ago
  • Introducing OSINT Template Engine: An open source OSINT Tool.
    Transform OSINT sources such as shodan, bgpview & urlscan into templates which you can use to query & store any and each of the API endpoints they provide. Source: over 3 years ago
  • Some outgoing ports (e.g, port 22) are blocked
    I'm a little surprised you're asking this but as you don't know - if you set the rulebase correctly, you won't get hammered by "public". A lot of people (of course not people here) don't do that which is why shodan.io is full of servers... Source: over 3 years ago

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Tracking FriendlyData since Mar 2021.

Alternatives to Shodan and FriendlyData

When comparing Shodan and FriendlyData, you can also consider the following products.