qsa.sh vs Screaming Frog SEO Spider: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between qsa.sh and Screaming Frog SEO Spider comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Bottom line: Screaming Frog SEO Spider is our overall pick for SEO tools workflows. Pick qsa.sh if you need vulnerability scanning.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
qsa.sh
Instant external security scan of your own IP from your terminal
Best for you if:
- • You need vulnerability scanning features specifically
- • Run curl qsa.sh from your terminal to instantly scan your public IP for open ports, services, and vulnerabilities using open-source tools.
- • Results stream live and are never stored; you get a full external perspective without installing any software on your host.
Screaming Frog SEO Spider
Website crawler for SEO audits
Best for you if:
- • You need SEO tools features specifically
- • Technical SEO crawler
- • Find broken links and redirects
| At a Glance |  qsa.sh |  Screaming Frog SEO Spider |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Vulnerability Scanning | SEO Tools |
Rating | - | 4.8/5 |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose qsa.sh or Screaming Frog SEO Spider?
Choose qsa.sh if
Instant external security scan of your own IP from your terminal
- Zero installation – just run curl; no agent or software to deploy.
- Transparent and auditable – uses only public open-source tools, no black box.
- Strictly limited to scanning your own IP, with consent gate and opt-out for operators.
- Your work is vulnerability scanning-shaped, not SEO tools-shaped
Choose Screaming Frog SEO Spider if
Website crawler for SEO audits
- Powerful crawling
- Free version available
- Industry standard
- Your work is SEO tools-shaped, not vulnerability scanning-shaped
| Feature | qsa.sh | Screaming Frog SEO Spider |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| User Rating | No ratings yet | ★4.8/5 319 reviews |
| Categories | Vulnerability ScanningTesting & QA | SEO ToolsDeveloper Tools |
In-Depth Analysis
qsa.sh
Instant external security scan of your own IP from your terminal
Strengths
- +Zero installation – just run curl; no agent or software to deploy.
- +Transparent and auditable – uses only public open-source tools, no black box.
- +Strictly limited to scanning your own IP, with consent gate and opt-out for operators.
Weaknesses
- -IPv4 only – IPv6 connections are refused.
- -Free scan limited to one per 24 hours and only top 1,000 ports; Full and Deep require payment.
Key features
Value 85/100. The pricing is generous for casual use with a free tier that covers the top 1,000 ports, but the $5/mo Full Pro tier is a steal for continuous scanning of all ports, while $7/scan for Deep is steep for occasional use.
Watch out: Free tier limited to one scan per 24h
Screaming Frog SEO Spider
Website crawler for SEO audits
Strengths
- +Powerful crawling
- +Free version available
- +Industry standard
Weaknesses
- -Desktop only
- -Technical interface
Key features
Value 85/100. Screaming Frog's pricing is fair, offering a robust free tier for small projects and a competitive annual license.
Watch out: No monthly payment option for licensed.
Pricing: qsa.sh vs Screaming Frog SEO Spider
| Plan | qsa.sh | Screaming Frog SEO Spider |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $0/mo or Free Free | Free Free |
| Tier 2 | $5/mo Full Pro | $279 Licensed |
| Tier 3 | $7/scan Deep | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on qsa.sh pricing and Screaming Frog SEO Spider pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: qsa.sh
Want the highest-rated option?
Screaming Frog SEO Spider is rated 4.8/5. qsa.sh has no ratings yet.
Go with: Screaming Frog SEO Spider
Value user reviews?
qsa.sh: no ratings yet. Screaming Frog SEO Spider: 319 reviews (4.8/5).
Go with: Screaming Frog SEO Spider
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are freemium. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
qsa.sh is a vulnerability scanning tool. Screaming Frog SEO Spider is in SEO tools. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Screaming Frog SEO Spider is rated 4.8/5; qsa.sh has no ratings yet.
Key Takeaways
Screaming Frog SEO Spider
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
qsa.sh
- Better fit for vulnerability scanning
The Bottom Line
Screaming Frog SEO Spider is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is qsa.sh or Screaming Frog SEO Spider better?
Screaming Frog SEO Spider is rated in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are qsa.sh and Screaming Frog SEO Spider used for?
qsa.sh: Instant external security scan of your own IP from your terminal. Screaming Frog SEO Spider: Website crawler for SEO audits.
What does qsa.sh cost vs Screaming Frog SEO Spider?
qsa.sh is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Screaming Frog SEO Spider is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.