Government · head to head
DataSF vs Recorded Future

Recorded Future
Cybersecurity
Intelligence-driven cybersecurity
- From
- $25000/year
- Free plan
- No
The short version
- Only DataSF has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- They diverge on capability: DataSF covers Open Datasets, Recorded Future covers Real-time threat intelligence.
- Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which DataSF and Recorded Future actually diverge.
| Attribute | DataSF | Recorded Future |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | $25000/year |
| Pricing model | free | subscription |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Web | Web, Api, Cloud |
| Category | Government | Cybersecurity |
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), founded (2009).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in DataSF
- Open Datasets
- Data API
- Visualizations
- Data Catalog
- Automated Updates
- Socrata
- ArcGIS
- Analysis Tools
Only in Recorded Future
- Real-time threat intelligence
- Vulnerability intelligence
- Internet-wide data analysis
- Insikt group intelligence
- Brand intelligence
- API-first platform
- Alert and notification system
- Custom reporting
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
DataSF
- Citizen Servicesnot Recorded Future
- Records Managementnot Recorded Future
- Public Safetynot Recorded Future
- Civic Engagementnot Recorded Future
Recorded Future
- Threat intelligence and monitoringnot DataSF
- Dark web monitoring and brand protectionnot DataSF
- Third-party risk managementnot DataSF
- Security operations and incident responsenot DataSF
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
DataSF
Nothing recorded yet. See the DataSF review.
Recorded Future
- No pricing published; all three tiers (Core, Professional, Elite) require sales contact for quotes
- Pricing depends on organization size, usage levels, and services in addition to tier selection
- API usage limits vary by package but limits not specified on pricing page
Pricing, plan by plan
DataSF
Free- Public AccessFree
- Dataset Access
- API Access
- Visualizations
Recorded Future
$25000/year- Threat Intelligence$25000/year
- Threat feeds
- IP reputation
- Domain analysis
- Vulnerability Intelligence$35000/year
- CVE monitoring
- Patch intelligence
- Vulnerability trending
- Complete Intelligence$50000/year
- All features
- Analyst access
- Dedicated feed
Which should you pick?
Choose DataSF if
- You need open datasets.
- You want to start without paying.
- You also want data api.
Choose Recorded Future if
- You need real-time threat intelligence.
- You work on Web, Api, Cloud.
- You also want vulnerability intelligence.
Questions people ask
- Is DataSF or Recorded Future better?
- Neither clearly leads. DataSF starts at Free and Recorded Future at $25000/year, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, DataSF or Recorded Future?
- DataSF has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for DataSF and $25000/year for Recorded Future.
- Does DataSF or Recorded Future run on more platforms?
- DataSF runs on Web. Recorded Future runs on Web, Api, Cloud.
- Can I use DataSF for free?
- Yes. DataSF has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Recorded Future starts at $25000/year.
- What is DataSF best used for?
- DataSF is most often used for citizen services, records management, public safety, civic engagement. Of those, citizen services and records management are not what Recorded Future is typically brought in for.
- What can DataSF do that Recorded Future cannot?
- DataSF covers Open Datasets, Data API, Visualizations, Data Catalog. Recorded Future covers Real-time threat intelligence, Vulnerability intelligence, Internet-wide data analysis, Insikt group intelligence.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Recorded Future: What are the main pricing tiers offered by Recorded Future?
Recorded Future offers three tiers: Core (foundational intelligence), Professional (marked most-popular with automation and autonomous threat hunts), and Elite (comprehensive coverage including third-party risk assessment). Specific pricing requires contacting sales.
SourceRecorded Future: What is included in Recorded Future's Core pricing tier?
Core tier includes cyber operations monitoring with threat and malware insights, digital risk protection covering dark web monitoring and credential detection, and the new digital risk hub. Exact cost depends on organization size and usage.
SourceRecorded Future: What features does Recorded Future Professional tier add?
Professional tier adds autonomous threat hunts, continuous threat monitoring, automated threat preventions, external intelligence ingestion, and external asset discovery. Pricing is custom-quoted based on organization size and services.
SourceRecorded Future: How does Recorded Future handle user limits and API access?
Recorded Future does not limit the number of platform users or integrations across any tier. API usage limits vary by package tier but exact limits are not specified on the public pricing page.
SourceRelated pages
More on Recorded Future
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- Recorded Future vs 1Password
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- Recorded Future vs LastPass
- Recorded Future vs Rapid7 InsightVM
- Recorded Future vs IBM QRadar
- Recorded Future vs Qualys VMDR
- Recorded Future vs Tenable
- Recorded Future vs CrowdStrike Falcon
- Recorded Future vs Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
- Recorded Future vs Darktrace
- Recorded Future vs Proofpoint
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- Recorded Future vs Omada Identity
- Recorded Future vs Ory
- Recorded Future vs ProtonVPN
- Recorded Future vs Resolver
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