Screaming Frog SEO Spider vs qsa.sh: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Screaming Frog SEO Spider and qsa.sh 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 security.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
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
qsa.sh
External port and vulnerability scans from your terminal
Best for you if:
- • You need security 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.
| At a Glance |  Screaming Frog SEO Spider |  qsa.sh |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | SEO Tools | Security |
Rating | 4.8/5 | - |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose Screaming Frog SEO Spider or qsa.sh?
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 security-shaped
Choose qsa.sh if
External port and vulnerability scans 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 security-shaped, not SEO tools-shaped
| Feature | Screaming Frog SEO Spider | qsa.sh |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| User Rating | ★4.8/5 217 reviews | No ratings yet |
| Categories | SEO ToolsDeveloper Tools | SecurityTerminal Tools |
In-Depth Analysis
Screaming Frog SEO Spider
Website crawler for SEO audits
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.
Strengths
- +Powerful crawling
- +Free version available
- +Industry standard
Weaknesses
- -Desktop only
- -Technical interface
Key features
qsa.sh
External port and vulnerability scans from your terminal
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
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
Pricing: Screaming Frog SEO Spider vs qsa.sh
| Plan | Screaming Frog SEO Spider | qsa.sh |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Free Free | $0/mo or Free Free |
| Tier 2 | $279 Licensed | $5/mo Full Pro |
| Tier 3 | N/A | $7/scan Deep |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Screaming Frog SEO Spider pricing and qsa.sh pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Screaming Frog SEO Spider
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?
Screaming Frog SEO Spider: 217 reviews (4.8/5). qsa.sh: no ratings yet.
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?
Screaming Frog SEO Spider is a SEO tools tool. qsa.sh is in security. 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 security
The Bottom Line
Screaming Frog SEO Spider is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Screaming Frog SEO Spider or qsa.sh better?
Screaming Frog SEO Spider is rated in our evaluation. Both are freemium.
What are Screaming Frog SEO Spider and qsa.sh used for?
Screaming Frog SEO Spider: Website crawler for SEO audits. qsa.sh: External port and vulnerability scans from your terminal.
What does Screaming Frog SEO Spider cost vs qsa.sh?
Screaming Frog SEO Spider is freemium (free tier + paid plans). qsa.sh is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.