Compare software

Mobile Verification Toolkit vs Bugbane: catalog facts
Mobile Verification Toolkit	Bugbane
No screenshots available	No screenshots available
Best for: Researchers checking a phone for signs of targeted spyware	Best for: Activists, journalists and others who want a first check of their Android phone for spyware
Free Free to use.	Free Free and open source under the GPL-3.0 licence.
macOS, Linux, Command line	Android
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	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
Command-line only, and it needs forensic know-how A clean result does not guarantee a device is safe	Still in beta, with rough edges Basic triage, not a full forensic investigation
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Not open source	Open source
License not stated	License: GPL-3.0
No account needed	Not stated if an account is needed
Offline features available	Not stated if it works offline
Official website Full listing and sources Sources for Mobile Verification Toolkit github.com/mvt-project/mvt Catalog checked October 2, 2026	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

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