Tools for analyzing, visualizing, and organizing data collected during open source investigations.
Choosing Tools
- Use collection and organization tools before visualization; choose timelines for sequence, maps for location, and graphs for relationships.
- Keep source URLs, timestamps, and transformations with the data so findings remain reproducible.
Tools
| Tool | Best for | Cost | Description | Guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4CAT | A tool designed for the easy collection and analysis of online datasets. | Free | 4CAT is a tool designed for the easy collection and analysis of online datasets. It allows researchers to uncover pat... | Details |
| Atlos | ATLOS is a platform for collaborative and large-scale open source investigations. | Partially Free | ATLOS is a platform for collaborative and large-scale open source investigations. | Details |
| Blender | An open-source 3D creation suite supporting the 3D pipeline—modeling, rigging, animation,… | Free | Blender is an open-source 3D creation suite supporting the 3D pipeline—modeling, rigging, animation, simulation, rend... | Details |
| Datasette | Open-source “WordPress-for-data” that turns any SQLite database into an interactive… | Free | Open-source “WordPress-for-data” that turns any SQLite database into an interactive website and JSON API in seconds; ... | Details |
| Datawrapper | A tool for creating interactive charts, maps, and tables from your data, offering a… | Partially Free | A tool for creating interactive charts, maps, and tables from your data, offering a user-friendly interface for visua... | Details |
| Gephi | Open-source network analysis and visualization software | Free | Open-source network analysis and visualization software | Details |
| Logseq | An open-source knowledge management tool that enables users to organize their notes,… | Free | Logseq is an open-source knowledge management tool that enables users to organize their notes, tasks, and projects. | Details |
| Maltego Graph | An investigation platform that combines two things at once: (1) It acts as a search tool,… | Partially Free | Maltego Graph is an investigation platform that combines two things at once: (1) It acts as a search tool, and (2) It... | Details |
| Obsidian | A knowledge management and note-taking app with extensive customization options. | Partially Free | A knowledge management and note-taking app with extensive customization options. | Details |
| Pinpoint | A tool by Google to catalogue uploaded documents and files, providing automated text… | Free | A tool by Google to catalogue uploaded documents and files, providing automated text recogntion, indexing, audiotrans... | Details |
| QGIS | A free Open Source Geographic Information System (GIS). | Free | QGIS is a free Open Source Geographic Information System (GIS). | Details |
| RAWGraphs | An open-source data visualization tool designed for non-technical users, enabling the… | Free | RAWGraphs is an open-source data visualization tool designed for non-technical users, enabling the creation of custom... | Details |
| Time.Graphics | A tool for creating, visualizing, and managing timelines online. | Partially Free | A tool for creating, visualizing, and managing timelines online. |
Investigation Tips
- Use Datawrapper or RAWGraphs for quick, publishable data visualizations without coding
- Gephi is essential for network analysis — mapping relationships between entities
- 4CAT excels at collecting and analyzing large datasets from social media platforms
- QGIS combines with maps/satellite tools for advanced geospatial analysis
- Obsidian or Logseq for organizing investigation notes and linking findings
- Atlos enables collaborative large-scale investigations with team workflows