If Have I Been Pwned (HIBP) is down, not loading, or giving you errors, you are not stuck. Several free alternatives let you check whether your email was exposed in a data breach. The best option is EmailLeaked, which checks 962+ breaches covering over 12 billion records, gives you plain-English results, and tells you exactly what to do next — all without any signup or cost.
Have I Been Pwned is a well-known breach-checking tool created by security researcher Troy Hunt. It has been around since 2013 and is widely used. But like any website, it has downtime, technical issues, and limitations. When you need to check your email and HIBP is not cooperating, you need an alternative that works right now.
What are the common problems with Have I Been Pwned?
If you are having trouble with HIBP, you are not alone. Here are the most common issues people run into:
The website is down or not loading. HIBP runs on Cloudflare infrastructure, and while Cloudflare is generally reliable, outages do happen. When HIBP gets mentioned in a major news story or a large new breach is loaded, traffic spikes can cause slow loading or temporary unavailability.
Rate limiting on the API. If you are checking multiple email addresses, HIBP may throttle your requests. The free tier of their API has strict rate limits, and exceeding them results in errors. If you see a “429 Too Many Requests” error, you have been rate-limited and need to wait before trying again.
Slow loading times. Even when the site is technically up, it can be sluggish during peak traffic. If you have been waiting more than 30 seconds for results, the site is likely under heavy load.
Browser and cache issues. Sometimes the problem is on your end. An outdated browser cache, ad blockers interfering with the site, or browser extensions can prevent HIBP from loading properly. Try clearing your cache or using a private/incognito window.
Outdated results. HIBP adds new breaches as they are verified, but there can be a delay between when a breach happens and when it appears in their database. If you suspect your data was in a very recent breach, it may not show up immediately on any tool.
CAPTCHA and verification problems. HIBP uses CAPTCHAs and other verification measures to prevent abuse. These can sometimes fail or be difficult to complete, especially on mobile devices.
Best alternatives to Have I Been Pwned in 2026
1. EmailLeaked (recommended)
EmailLeaked is a free breach-checking tool built for everyday people — not security professionals. It checks your email against 962+ known data breaches covering over 12 billion compromised records.
What makes it different:
- Plain-English results — instead of raw technical data, you get a clear explanation of what was exposed and how serious it is
- Risk assessment — each breach is rated by severity so you know which ones to worry about most
- Action steps — after showing your results, it tells you exactly what to do to protect yourself
- No signup required — just enter your email and get results in seconds
- Completely free — no paid tiers, no upsells for basic functionality
- Privacy-first — your email address is not stored or logged
2. Mozilla Monitor
Mozilla Monitor (formerly Firefox Monitor) is a free service from the organisation behind the Firefox browser. It uses breach data to check your email and can send you alerts when your email appears in new breaches.
Strengths:
- Backed by a trusted non-profit organisation (Mozilla Foundation)
- Can set up ongoing monitoring alerts
- Integrates with Firefox browser
Limitations:
- Requires a Mozilla account for monitoring features
- Less detailed remediation guidance than EmailLeaked
- Fewer actionable steps in results
EmailLeaked vs Have I Been Pwned: How do they compare?
Here is a direct comparison of the two tools:
| Feature | EmailLeaked | Have I Been Pwned |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free (basic) / Paid API |
| Breaches covered | 962+ | 700+ |
| Records in database | 12B+ | 14B+ |
| Signup required | No | No (basic check) |
| Plain-English results | Yes | No (technical format) |
| Risk level rating | Yes | No |
| Action steps provided | Yes | Limited |
| Email monitoring alerts | Coming soon | Yes (with account) |
| API access | No | Yes (paid) |
| Password check | No | Yes |
| Target audience | Everyone | Developers and technical users |
The key difference comes down to who each tool is built for. Have I Been Pwned was created by a security researcher for a security-savvy audience. The results show raw breach data — breach names, dates, and data classes — but leave it up to you to figure out what to do about it.
EmailLeaked is built for people who are not security experts. It translates breach data into plain English, tells you how serious each breach is, and walks you through the specific steps you should take to protect yourself. If you just want to know “am I at risk and what should I do?” — EmailLeaked gives you that answer directly.
When should you use each tool?
Use EmailLeaked when:
- You want a quick, no-signup check of your email
- You are not a technical person and want results you can actually understand
- You want specific guidance on what to do after finding out your data was exposed
- Have I Been Pwned is down or not working
- You want a clean, fast experience without CAPTCHAs or rate limits
Use Have I Been Pwned when:
- You want to check if a specific password (not tied to an email) has been leaked
- You need API access for development or security tools
- You want to set up long-term email monitoring notifications
- You are a security professional who prefers raw technical data
Use both if you want the most thorough check. Different tools may have slightly different breach databases, and checking with more than one service gives you better coverage.
What to do after you find your email in a breach
Regardless of which tool you use, finding your email in a breach means you need to take action. Here is what to do immediately:
- Change the password on the breached account — make it at least 16 characters and completely unique
- Change that password everywhere else you used it — attackers test stolen credentials on hundreds of sites automatically
- Enable two-factor authentication — this stops attackers even if they have your password
- Watch for phishing — after a breach, you will likely receive more targeted scam emails. Be extra cautious for the next 90 days
- Monitor your accounts — check bank statements, email sent folders, and login activity for anything unusual
For a complete walkthrough, read our guide on what to do if your password was leaked.
The bottom line
Have I Been Pwned is a useful tool, but it is not the only option. When it is down, slow, or giving you errors, you do not need to wait. Check your email with EmailLeaked right now — it is free, takes seconds, and gives you clear answers about whether your data has been exposed and exactly what you should do about it.
Your data security should not depend on a single website being available. Bookmark multiple tools so you always have a way to check.