Why Switch from Shodan?
Shodan is a solid domain API provider, but it's not the only option. Whether you're looking for better pricing, more features, or simply want to explore what else is available - you've come to the right place.
We compare the key differences between Shodan and its alternatives. DomScan is one option for teams that value a recurring free tier, a broad toolkit, and remote MCP access.
Common Reasons to Switch
- Need domain-specific data, not device scanning
- Want domain availability and WHOIS lookups
- Looking for domain valuation features
- Building domain registration tools
Who Should Stay with Shodan
Shodan is the definitive search engine for internet-connected devices. If IoT security or infrastructure discovery is your focus, nothing else compares.
Side-by-Side Comparison: DomScan vs Shodan
DomScan
DomScan is a developer-first domain intelligence platform offering real-time availability checks, RDAP data, domain valuation, and AI integration via MCP.
Free: 10,000 credits/monthShodan
Shodan indexes internet-facing devices, banners, vulnerabilities, and exposed services, making it a strong complement to domain-focused threat tools.
Free account; academic Membership upgrade availablePricing Comparison
| Pricing | DomScan | Shodan |
|---|---|---|
| Free Tier | Free: 10,000 credits/month | Free account; academic Membership upgrade available |
| Paid Plans | Pay-as-you-go from $10 | $49 one-time Membership or $69/month Freelancer |
| Enterprise | Custom pricing | $1,099/month Corporate; enterprise custom |
| TLD Coverage | 1,100+ TLDs | Full internet coverage |
Sources
Last updated:
Feature Comparison
| Feature | DomScan | Shodan |
|---|---|---|
| Free Tier | Included | Limited |
| API Access | Included | Included |
| Bulk Operations | Included | Included |
| Real-time Data | Included | Included |
| WHOIS Data | Included | Limited |
| DNS Lookup | Included | Included |
| Domain Valuation | Included | Not Included |
| Brand Monitoring | Included | Not Included |
| MCP/AI Integration | Included | Not Included |
Where Shodan Excels
- Unmatched device discovery
- Well-known vulnerability and exposure workflows
- Strong API and alerting ecosystem
DomScan Advantages
- Free tier with 10,000 credits/month - no credit card required
- 1,100+ TLDs backed by live RDAP coverage
- MCP integration for AI assistants like Claude
- Domain valuation, brand monitoring, and OSINT tools
- Modern REST API with JSON responses
Switching from Shodan
Migrating from Shodan to DomScan is straightforward. DomScan uses standard REST endpoints with JSON responses and predictable authentication.
Quick example:
# Check domain availability with DomScan
curl "https://domscan.net/v1/status?name=example&tlds=com,net,org" \
-H "X-API-Key: your-api-key"
# Response
{
"name": "example",
"results": [
{ "domain": "example.com", "available": false, "source": "rdap" },
{ "domain": "example.net", "available": false, "source": "rdap" },
{ "domain": "example.org", "available": false, "source": "rdap" }
]
}
Frequently Asked Questions
DomScan uses standard REST APIs with JSON responses, making migration straightforward. Most integrations can be updated in minutes by changing the endpoint URL and adjusting the response parsing.
DomScan offers a generous free tier of 10,000 credits/month with no credit card required. For most use cases, DomScan provides better value with transparent pay-as-you-go pricing.
DomScan covers availability, WHOIS/RDAP, DNS, valuation, monitoring, and security workflows. Feature depth differs by provider, so compare the endpoints and limits your integration needs.
DomScan provides public documentation and email support. Contact us before purchase if you need contractual support or service commitments.
Shodan vs Other Providers
More Alternatives Guides
Learn More About Shodan
Get Started with DomScan
10,000 free credits/month • No credit card required
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