SpiderFoot Install Guide (2026): Windows, Mac, Linux and Docker

Quick answer: To install SpiderFoot, get Python 3 and Git, clone https://github.com/smicallef/spiderfoot.git, create a virtual environment, run pip install -r requirements.txt, then start it with python3 sf.py -l 127.0.0.1:5001 and open http://127.0.0.1:5001. On Kali Linux, just run sudo apt install spiderfoot. For zero dependency problems on any OS, use Docker.

SpiderFoot is a free, open-source OSINT automation tool with 200+ modules. It gathers public information about domains, IPs, emails, usernames and more, then connects the dots for you. This guide shows you how to install the latest open-source release (v4.0) on Windows, macOS, Linux and Docker, step by step, with the fixes you are most likely to need in 2026.

Key Takeaways

• SpiderFoot runs anywhere Python 3 runs. It needs Python 3.7+, but very new versions can struggle with its pinned libraries, so Python 3.11 in a virtual environment is the safest choice.
• Docker is the easiest cross-platform install and avoids almost every dependency error.
• Kali Linux users can install it with one apt command.
• The web interface runs on port 5001 by default.
• After installing, add free API keys in Settings for much better results.

Choose Your Installation Method

System Requirements

• Python: 3.7 or newer (3.11 recommended for the smoothest install)
• Git: to clone the repository (or download the release archive)
• RAM: 4 GB minimum, 8 GB+ for big scans
• Disk: about 500 MB, plus space for scan databases
• Browser: any modern browser for the web UI

How to Install SpiderFoot on Windows

Step 1: Install Python and Git

1. Download Python 3.11 from python.org. In the installer, tick Add python.exe to PATH.
2. Download and install Git for Windows with default options.
3. Open Command Prompt or PowerShell and check: py --version and git --version.

Step 2: Download SpiderFoot and install requirements

cd %USERPROFILE%
git clone https://github.com/smicallef/spiderfoot.git
cd spiderfoot
py -3.11 -m venv venv
venv\Scripts\activate
python -m pip install --upgrade pip wheel setuptools
pip install -r requirements.txt

In PowerShell, if activation is blocked, run Set-ExecutionPolicy -Scope CurrentUser RemoteSigned once, then .\venv\Scripts\Activate.ps1.

Step 3: Start SpiderFoot

python sf.py -l 127.0.0.1:5001

Open http://127.0.0.1:5001 in your browser. Allow Python through Windows Firewall only if you need access from other devices.

Windows alternatives: If pip asks for “Microsoft Visual C++ 14.0”, either install Visual Studio Build Tools or skip Windows Python and use WSL (Ubuntu) with the Linux steps below, or Docker Desktop.

How to Install SpiderFoot on macOS

# Install Homebrew first from brew.sh if you do not have it
brew install python@3.11 git
git clone https://github.com/smicallef/spiderfoot.git
cd spiderfoot
python3.11 -m venv venv
source venv/bin/activate
pip install --upgrade pip wheel setuptools
pip install -r requirements.txt
python3 sf.py -l 127.0.0.1:5001

On Apple Silicon (M1–M4) Macs, if lxml fails to build, run brew install libxml2 libxslt and try again, or use Docker Desktop.

How to Install SpiderFoot on Linux (Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora)

Ubuntu / Debian / Linux Mint

sudo apt update
sudo apt install -y python3 python3-venv python3-pip python3-dev git build-essential libxml2-dev libxslt1-dev libffi-dev libssl-dev
git clone https://github.com/smicallef/spiderfoot.git
cd spiderfoot
python3 -m venv venv
source venv/bin/activate
pip install --upgrade pip wheel setuptools
pip install -r requirements.txt
python3 sf.py -l 127.0.0.1:5001

Fedora / RHEL / Rocky

sudo dnf install -y python3 python3-devel git gcc libxml2-devel libxslt-devel libffi-devel openssl-devel

Then follow the same clone, venv and pip steps as above.

Kali Linux

sudo apt update && sudo apt install -y spiderfoot
spiderfoot -l 127.0.0.1:5001

Full details, commands and API key setup are in our SpiderFoot Kali Linux guide.

Stable release instead of Git

Prefer a fixed release? Download the v4.0 archive instead of cloning:

wget https://github.com/smicallef/spiderfoot/archive/v4.0.tar.gz
tar zxvf v4.0.tar.gz
cd spiderfoot-4.0

Then create the venv and install requirements as shown above.

How to Install SpiderFoot with Docker

Docker packages SpiderFoot with a tested Python and all libraries. It works the same on Windows, macOS and Linux.

git clone https://github.com/smicallef/spiderfoot.git
cd spiderfoot
docker build -t spiderfoot .
docker run -d -p 5001:5001 --name spiderfoot spiderfoot

Open http://127.0.0.1:5001. The repository also includes Docker Compose files, so you can simply run docker compose up -d from the spiderfoot folder.

Keep your scans: containers are disposable. Mount a volume for SpiderFoot’s data folder, or export results before removing the container. Want SpiderFoot on a cloud server you can open from anywhere? Follow our SpiderFoot online guide.

How to Install SpiderFoot on Android

You can run SpiderFoot on a phone with Termux, no root required. Follow our step-by-step SpiderFoot Termux install guide.

Verify Your Installation

1. Open http://127.0.0.1:5001. You should see New Scan, Scans and Settings.
2. Run python3 sf.py -M in the terminal. It should list all modules.
3. Start a Passive scan on a domain you own. Results should appear within a minute.

After Installing: 5 Things to Do First

1. Add API keys in Settings (VirusTotal, Shodan, SecurityTrails, Hunter.io and others). See all SpiderFoot modules and data sources.
2. Learn the scan profiles (All, Footprint, Investigate, Passive) with our SpiderFoot beginner tutorial.
3. Try the CLI for automation with our SpiderFoot commands guide.
4. Lock down access. Keep it on 127.0.0.1 or add authentication. Read how to keep SpiderFoot data secure.
5. Bookmark the fixes. If anything breaks, check our SpiderFoot errors and fixes guide.

How to Update or Uninstall SpiderFoot

Update (Git install):

cd spiderfoot
git pull
source venv/bin/activate
pip install -r requirements.txt

Update (Kali): sudo apt update && sudo apt install --only-upgrade spiderfoot

Update (Docker): pull the latest code, rebuild the image, and recreate the container.

Uninstall: delete the spiderfoot folder (and the data folder, ~/.spiderfoot on Linux, if you want to remove old scans), run sudo apt remove spiderfoot on Kali, or docker rm -f spiderfoot for Docker.

Common Install Problems (Quick Fixes)

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Installing SpiderFoot is quick on every platform. Use the Kali package if you are on Kali, Docker if you want a clean, error-free setup, and Python 3.11 in a virtual environment everywhere else. Once it is running, add a few API keys and start with a Passive scan on a domain you own.

Wondering if SpiderFoot is right for your skill level? Read is SpiderFoot suitable for beginners.