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Bugbane vs Mobile Verification Toolkit: catalog facts
Bugbane	Mobile Verification Toolkit
Best for: Activists, journalists and others who want a first check of their Android phone for spyware	Best for: Researchers checking a phone for signs of targeted spyware
Free Free and open source under the GPL-3.0 licence.	Free Free to use.
Android	macOS, Linux, Command line
Runs forensic checks on the phone itself via Wireless ADB Built by a group that researches spyware All 3 strengths for Bugbane Runs forensic checks on the phone itself via Wireless ADB Built by a group that researches spyware Open source	Checks both Android and iOS devices Looks for indicators of known spyware All 3 strengths for Mobile Verification Toolkit Checks both Android and iOS devices Looks for indicators of known spyware Docker images for repeatable analysis
Still in beta, with rough edges Basic triage, not a full forensic investigation	Command-line only, and it needs forensic know-how A clean result does not guarantee a device is safe
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Open source	Not open source
License: GPL-3.0	License not stated
Not stated if an account is needed	No account needed
Not stated if it works offline	Offline features available
Official website Full listing and sources Sources for Bugbane bugbane.org github.com/osservatorionessuno/bugbane f-droid.org/packages/org.osservatorionessuno.bugbane.beta Catalog checked October 2, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Sources for Mobile Verification Toolkit github.com/mvt-project/mvt Catalog checked October 2, 2026

“Not stated” means we have not confirmed it. Features can vary by device and plan.