OpenCanary review
A free self-hosted honeypot for detecting interaction across many network services.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
OpenCanary is an open-source daemon for deploying network honeypot services that alert when attackers interact with them. It is intended for defenders who want deception sensors on non-public networks, with support for Linux, macOS and self-hosted deployments. Docker and Docker Compose are also available for deployment. Its decoy scope covers SSH, FTP, HTTP, HTTPS, MySQL, MSSQL, Telnet, SNMP, SIP, Git and HTTP proxy services, giving security teams several ways to represent network services in a monitored environment.
OpenCanary is free and open source, with no paid OpenCanary tiers described. The published product details emphasize broad protocol coverage rather than tiered packaging. Credential-based login-attempt detection can identify activity against decoy services, while port-scan detection is available on Linux. Configurable HTTP login skins and service banners allow the decoys to be adjusted for the environment. These features make the product suitable for teams that want network deception without a subscription plan, provided they are comfortable managing a self-hosted deployment.
Alert delivery can use syslog, files, email, HTTP webhooks and HPFeeds, giving defenders multiple notification paths. Docker deployment can help fit the sensor into an existing container-based workflow, while direct Linux or macOS operation supports a different deployment model. The product’s focus is narrow and clear: network deception, credential lures and interaction alerts. Teams seeking a free, open-source sensor across many protocols should consider OpenCanary; teams needing broader integrations, AI features or a more managed product should look elsewhere.
OpenCanary pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Covers SSH, FTP, HTTP, database, VoIP and other decoy services
- Detects credential attempts and port scans on Linux
- Supports syslog, email, webhooks, files and HPFeeds alerts
- Where it doesn't
- Self-hosted deployment requires defenders to manage the environment
- Integration breadth is limited compared with broader security platforms
- It does not provide AI features
OpenCanary fact sheet, pricing and score →
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