Consensus OSINT: how to use it, and a browser alternative

Consensus OSINT, from the OSINT Experts Society, does not add a new site list so much as combine existing ones. It pulls modules from projects such as Maigret, User Scanner and WhatsMyName into one catalogue and removes duplicates. Here is what that means in practice and how it compares with a browser search.

Username, email and phone meta-search (CLI). Project: github.com/OSINT-Experts-Society/Consensus-OSINT · License: GPL-3.0 · Last reviewed 2026-10-17

What is Consensus OSINT?

Consensus is released under GPL-3.0, and the repository was last pushed in October 2026. Its README describes 9,700+ modules and site rules from 19 projects, with a weekly review target.

Results can include profile names, bios and linked accounts. It can follow new leads recursively, run bulk searches, generate username variations, retry blocked checks and save named investigations locally. Reports come as HTML, PDF, CSV, JSON and evidence graphs, and an optional MCP server connects AI assistants.

The README says the 0.4.10 release was tested on Windows and Linux, not natively on macOS. It also reminds users that a match is a lead, not proof of identity. Our tool searches usernames only; our email and phone tools are coming soon and are not live.

How to use Consensus OSINT

On Windows, download the installer ZIP from the Releases page, extract it and run Install.cmd. On macOS or Linux, run the bundled install.sh.
Or, with Python 3.10 or newer, install the PyPI package with its modules and PDF extras.
Run consensus and pick Username from the menu, or use consensus user with a handle.
Save a report with -o or the Save report menu, then confirm important matches at their source.

Example commands from the project's README (check it for the current version):

python -m pip install "consensus-osint[modules,pdf]"
consensus
consensus user "YOUR_USERNAME"
consensus user "YOUR_USERNAME" -o reports/username.html

Consensus OSINT vs WhatsMyName Apps

Feature	Consensus OSINT	WhatsMyName Apps
Sites checked	9,700+ modules and site rules from 19 projects per its README (October 2026)	3,165+ sites, merged from the WhatsMyName, Sherlock and Maigret lists
Input	Username, email or phone	Username (email and phone tools coming soon)
Setup	Windows installer, install script, PyPI or source	Nothing to install. It runs in the browser
Profile details	Names, bios and linked accounts where available	Name, avatar and bio where a found profile exposes them
Recursive search	Yes	No
Export	HTML, PDF, CSV, JSON and graphs	JSON and CSV (no PDF)
Automation	CLI and MCP server	No API and no CLI
Price	Free, open source	Free, no sign-up

Based on Consensus OSINT's own documentation as of 2026-10-17. Tools change; the project page is the final word.

Pros and cons of Consensus OSINT

Pros

One install replaces several separate tools, with duplicate checks removed.
Guided menus and a Windows installer for people who avoid the terminal.
Recursive leads, saved investigations and evidence graphs.
Open source under GPL-3.0, updated in October 2026.

Cons

Large install with many optional parts.
A new project: the repository was created in October 2026, so it has a short track record.
Coverage depends on modules from other projects, some of which are no longer updated.

Who Consensus OSINT is for

Consensus suits investigators who already juggle several username tools and want one maintained catalogue with reports. For a quick look at one handle without installing anything, a browser search is faster.

Try a username search in your browser

Free, no sign-up. Checks 3,165+ sites; the username is not stored or logged.

Frequently asked questions

What is Consensus OSINT?

A lookup tool from the OSINT Experts Society that combines modules and site rules from 19 open-source projects into one search for usernames, emails and phone numbers.

How do I install Consensus OSINT?

On Windows, run Install.cmd from the release ZIP. Elsewhere, use the install.sh bundle or python -m pip install "consensus-osint[modules,pdf]" with Python 3.10 or newer.

Does Consensus use the WhatsMyName data?

Yes. WhatsMyName is one of the 19 projects listed in its README, alongside Maigret, Sherlock and User Scanner.

Can I use Consensus OSINT online?

It is a tool you install. For a username search in the browser, our tool checks 3,165+ sites with no install.

Related tools and guides

Maigret: Username search (CLI and web UI)
User Scanner: Username and email search (CLI)
WhatsMyName: Open username dataset
Sherlock: Username search (CLI)
All OSINT tools compared
OSINT username search · Reverse username lookup · Platform username checkers
Username OSINT for beginners

Names and trademarks belong to their owners. WhatsMyName Apps is independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by Consensus OSINT or its authors.