Shodan API
Internet-connected host and service search API.
- slug
- shodan-api
- priority
- 76
- reviewed
- Apr 24, 2026
How this source is shaped
Commercially valuable but sensitive. Useful for defensive asset exposure, but needs strict boundaries to avoid becoming offensive reconnaissance tooling.
- Source type
- Security Intel
- Access model
- Freemium
- Pricing model
- Account/API Key Required; Paid Tiers For Serious Use
- API available
- Yes
- Requires account
- Yes
- Risk level
- Restricted
- Sensitivity
- Highly Sensitive
- Integration phase
- Phase 3
- Integration priority
- 76
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.
- asset_exposure
- defensive_security_review
- internet_service_discovery
- security_teams
- asset_owners
- researchers
- unauthorized_targeting
- offensive_reconnaissance_guides
- exploit_workflows
Editorial take
Our qualitative read on the source — tone, framing and trust posture.
Good future premium feature, not the first thing to expose publicly.
Integration stance
Build, buy or defer. What shape the product integration would take, and why.
Integrate only in defensive mode: owned-domain/owned-IP reports, authorization prompts, limited queries and strong policy guardrails.
Ethics and compliance
What to handle carefully, and what must not ship without sign-off.
Avoid workflows that help target third-party infrastructure. No exploit chaining, no offensive instructions.
Terms, authorization model and acceptable use policy must be reviewed before enabling.
Metadata
Catalog-side technical footer. Values as recorded in the source row.
- source owner
- Shodan
- report module
- attack_surface_defensive
- integration candidate
- true
- requires policy review
- true