# Detectify Surface Monitoring vs Shodan: side-by-side comparison (2026)

[Detectify Surface Monitoring](https://cybersectools.com/tools/detectify-surface-monitoring) is a commercial [external attack surface management](https://cybersectools.com/categories/external-asm) solution by [Detectify](https://cybersectools.com/companies/detectify). [Shodan](https://cybersectools.com/tools/shodan) is a free [external attack surface management](https://cybersectools.com/categories/external-asm) solution. Features, integrations, deployment and the company behind each one, side by side.

Need the answer fast? [Best Attack Surface Management Solutions for Business](https://cybersectools.com/shortlists/best-attack-surface-solutions) picks Palo Alto Networks Cortex Xpanse, Microsoft Defender EASM, Mandiant Attack Surface Management and 4 more.

## Side-by-side comparison

| | Detectify Surface Monitoring | Shodan |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Commercial | Free |
| Category | External Attack Surface Management | External Attack Surface Management |
| Verified | No | No |
| Deployment type | Cloud | Cloud |
| Company size fit | SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise | SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise |
| Company | Detectify | – |
| Headquarters | – | – |

### Use cases and capabilities

| | Detectify Surface Monitoring | Shodan |
|---|---|---|
| CVE | Yes | – |
| DNS Security | Yes | – |
| Misconfiguration | Yes | – |
| Subdomain Enumeration | Yes | – |
| Network Monitoring | – | Yes |

### Core features

**Detectify Surface Monitoring**

10 features listed. Sign in on the page to see them.

**Shodan**

No features listed.

### Integrations

**Detectify Surface Monitoring**

7 integrations listed. Sign in on the page to see them.

**Shodan**

No integrations listed.

## Which one fits you

Based on what each listing shows: deployment, company size, price and open source.

- [Shodan](https://cybersectools.com/tools/shodan) fits if you need a free product.

## Detectify Surface Monitoring vs Shodan FAQ

Common questions when comparing Detectify Surface Monitoring vs Shodan for external attack surface management.

### What is the difference between Detectify Surface Monitoring and Shodan?

**Detectify Surface Monitoring**: Monitors internet-facing subdomains for vulnerabilities and misconfigurations. Built by Detectify.

**Shodan**: A search engine for the Internet of Things (IoT) that discovers and monitors devices connected to the internet.

The table above shows where their features, integrations, deployment and company size fit differ.

### Is Detectify Surface Monitoring a good alternative to Shodan?

Often, yes. Detectify Surface Monitoring and Shodan are both External Attack Surface Management products. Key differences: Detectify Surface Monitoring is Commercial while Shodan is Free. Use the table above to see where features, deployment and company size fit differ.

## Related comparisons

- [Detectify Surface Monitoring vs Cyber Exposure Manager](https://cybersectools.com/compare/detectify-surface-monitoring-vs-galileo-security)
- [Detectify Surface Monitoring vs ThreatDefence Integrated ASM](https://cybersectools.com/compare/detectify-surface-monitoring-vs-threatdefence-integrated-asm)
- [Detectify Surface Monitoring vs DNS Assistant](https://cybersectools.com/compare/detectify-surface-monitoring-vs-dns-assistant)
- [Shodan vs Cyber Exposure Manager](https://cybersectools.com/compare/galileo-security-vs-shodan)
- [Shodan vs ThreatDefence Integrated ASM](https://cybersectools.com/compare/shodan-vs-threatdefence-integrated-asm)
- [Shodan vs DNS Assistant](https://cybersectools.com/compare/dns-assistant-vs-shodan)

## Alternatives to each

- [See all Detectify Surface Monitoring alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/detectify-surface-monitoring)
- [See all Shodan alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/shodan)

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Source: https://cybersectools.com/compare/detectify-surface-monitoring-vs-shodan

For AI agents: each product above has its own Markdown page (add .md to its URL, for example https://cybersectools.com/tools/detectify-surface-monitoring.md). Every CybersecTools shortlist is listed at https://cybersectools.com/shortlists.md.

More on Detectify Surface Monitoring and Shodan: funding, momentum, hiring and news, plus the full product and company record, are available through the Mandos MCP Server (paid plans), which connects to AI assistants: https://mandos.io/mcp?utm_source=cybersectools.com&utm_medium=compare-md