Censys Search API
Internet intelligence API for hosts and certificates.
- slug
- censys-search-api
- priority
- 80
- reviewed
- Apr 24, 2026
How this source is shaped
Excellent for certificate and infrastructure intelligence. Like Shodan, it should be framed defensively and used with authorization-aware UX.
- Source type
- Security Intel
- Access model
- Freemium
- Pricing model
- Account/API Access; Commercial Tiers Available
- API available
- Yes
- Requires account
- Yes
- Risk level
- Restricted
- Sensitivity
- Highly Sensitive
- Integration phase
- Phase 3
- Integration priority
- 80
Review dimensions
Each dimension is graded on a 0–10 scale. The overall score is a weighted aggregate.
Weighted aggregate across the eight review dimensions.
Where this source fits
What analysts use it for, and — just as important — where it does not belong.
- certificate_intelligence
- asset_exposure
- domain_infrastructure_mapping
- security_teams
- researchers
- brand_protection_teams
- unauthorized_targeting
- offensive_reconnaissance_guides
Editorial take
Our qualitative read on the source — tone, framing and trust posture.
Probably more enterprise-aligned than casual. Strong for premium domain reports.
Integration stance
Build, buy or defer. What shape the product integration would take, and why.
Use for certificate history, exposed services and infrastructure mapping after the basic domain intelligence stack is mature.
Ethics and compliance
What to handle carefully, and what must not ship without sign-off.
Avoid enabling targeting of unrelated third-party infrastructure.
Review API terms and create clear user authorization language.
Metadata
Catalog-side technical footer. Values as recorded in the source row.
- source owner
- Censys
- report module
- certificate_and_exposure_intelligence
- integration candidate
- true
- requires policy review
- true