Shadow IT Index: May 2026
Everyday utilities lead May's shadow IT, with screen capture and PDF tools at the top.
Updated October 7, 2026 · ChangelogSource: Torii Research, anonymized and aggregated usage data. Published May 1, 2026. Summary figures computed from the 24 apps in this report.
What kinds of apps
Every edition, by theme →Not in this edition, but in April 2026: AI agents (10%), Ops, HR, and finance (10%), AI assistants (6%), AI content and media (3%).
Share of the 24 apps in this edition, by theme. Each app has one theme, assigned by Torii Research from what the product does; AI marks the AI themes. Select a theme to filter the list below. How themes work.
Top of the index
Ranked by adoption.
All 24 apps
Productivity
ShareX
Screen Recording · Open Source Management · Productivity Tools
About ShareX
Enables quick screen capture and file sharing through customizable workflows while supporting various image formats and destinations for efficient productivity.
Theme: Personal productivity
Vendor claims: none listed
Productivity
PDFx
PDF Annotation · Document Editor · File Transformation
About PDFx
Enables users to effortlessly edit, annotate, and modify PDF documents while providing versatile reading options and sharing capabilities all at no cost.
Theme: Personal productivity
Vendor claims: none listed
Developer Tools
LinqPad
API Development · Code Testing · Database Client
About LinqPad
Enables .NET developers to instantly test code snippets, query databases, and leverage advanced debugging and formatting features, streamlining the programming workflow significantly.
Theme: Developer and data tools
Vendor claims: none listed
Productivity
WhisperAI
Software Translation · Translation and Localization · Translation
About WhisperAI
Provides accurate and rapid voice-to-text transcription services across multiple languages, catering to professionals who require seamless conversion of audio and video content into text.
Theme: AI notes and voice · AI-native
Vendor claims: none listed
Developer Tools
Composio
AI Agent · Integration Access Management · Integrations Platform as a Service (iPaaS)
About Composio
Enables the integration of AI agents and LLMs with numerous tools while providing authentication management and improved reliability for developers navigating complex data workflows.
Theme: AI coding and building · AI-native
Vendor claims: SOC 2
Developer Tools
ollama
Artificial Intelligence · Data Science and Machine Learning · Deep Learning
About ollama
Enables users to execute various large language models such as Llama 3.3 and Mistral locally across different operating systems while facilitating seamless integration and exploration of AI capabilities.
Theme: AI coding and building · AI-native
Vendor claims: none listed
Sales & Marketing
Conductor
Search Marketing · Content Marketing · SEO
About Conductor
Organic marketing platform built for enterprise SEO, content and web teams.
Theme: Sales, marketing, and CX
Vendor claims: SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR
Design
CapCut
Text to Speech · Collaborative Video Editing · Video Editors
Project Management
Linear
Task Management · Bug and Issue Tracking · Agile Project Management
About Linear
Issue tracking tool. Streamline software projects, sprints, tasks, and bug tracking.
Theme: Work suites and collaboration
Vendor claims: SOC 2, GDPR
IT & Security
RCLONE
Cloud Security · Cloud Infrastructure · Cloud Storage
About RCLONE
Manages files across various cloud storage solutions with versatile command-line functionality that ensures data integrity and seamless integration with multiple providers.
Theme: Security and IT
Vendor claims: none listed
Developer Tools
Firecrawl
Web Scraping and Crawling · Data Orchestration · Data Extraction
About Firecrawl
Firecrawl is designed to extract content from web pages and convert it into clean markdown or structured data, making it suitable for use in AI applications.
Theme: AI coding and building · AI-native
Vendor claims: SOC 2, GDPR
Developer Tools
Expo
Application Development · Mobile App SDK · Mobile App Builder
About Expo
Provides a full-stack React Native framework with SDK libraries, development tools, and cloud services for building, deploying, and updating iOS, Android, and web apps from a single codebase.
Theme: Developer and data tools
Vendor claims: GDPR
Productivity
OpenRouter
API Integration · AI Platform · Artificial Intelligence
About OpenRouter
Aggregates and presents a unified interface for accessing large language models, aiding users in comparing the best models and prices for their specific prompts.
Theme: AI coding and building · AI-native
Vendor claims: GDPR
Sales & Marketing
NorthPoint
Promotional Marketing · Brand Management · Design Agencies and Services
About NorthPoint
Offers comprehensive marketing solutions that encompass innovative design, advanced printing technologies, and diverse promotional products to elevate branding efforts for businesses.
Theme: Sales, marketing, and CX
Vendor claims: none listed
Sales & Marketing
PandaDoc
Document Workflow Automation · Proposal software · Digital Signature
About PandaDoc
PandaDoc is a document automation tool.
Theme: Sales, marketing, and CX
Vendor claims: SOC 2, GDPR
IT & Security
VyprVPN
Network Security · Virtual Private Network (VPN) · Digital Security
About VyprVPN
No-log VPN service that encrypts internet connections, masks IP addresses, bypasses censorship, and protects user privacy across all major devices and operating systems.
Theme: Security and IT
Vendor claims: none listed
Developer Tools
Araxis Merge
Document Comparison · Version Control · Source Code Management
About Araxis Merge
Compares and merges file versions and folders, allowing users to accurately track changes in source code and document drafts while enhancing collaboration among teams.
Theme: Developer and data tools
Vendor claims: none listed
Operations
Forkable
Food delivery service
About Forkable
Provides eco-friendly packaging solutions by partnering with local restaurants to deliver affordable compostable containers while reducing food waste and supporting meal initiatives for those in need.
Theme: Personal and consumer apps
Vendor claims: none listed
Analytics & BI
Optro
Realtime Audits · Supplier Risk Management · Audit Log
About Optro
Analyzes risk signals and integrates data across audit, cyber risk, and compliance to provide continuous visibility and automated insights for effective enterprise risk management.
Theme: Developer and data tools
Vendor claims: none listed
Operations
QR.io
QR Code Generator · Marketing Automation Platforms · QR Code
About QR.io
QR.io is a comprehensive QR code management platform designed to create, customize, and track QR codes for various marketing and operational purposes.
Theme: Sales, marketing, and CX
Vendor claims: GDPR
Productivity
Shottr
Screen Recording · Photo Edit · Screen Capture
About Shottr
Shottr is a free macOS app for capturing and annotating screenshots, OCR, and measurement features.
Theme: Personal productivity
Vendor claims: none listed
Developer Tools
App Store Connect
App store management · App store data · Application Management
About App Store Connect
App Store Connect is a service operated by Apple Inc., designed for developers to manage their apps across all Apple platforms including iOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS, and visionOS.
Theme: Developer and data tools
Vendor claims: ISO 27001, GDPR
appstoreconnect.apple.com ↗ · Profile across every edition →
Sales & Marketing
Bitly
URL Shortener · Online Marketing · Traffic Analysis
About Bitly
Get the most out of your social and online marketing efforts. Own, understand and activate your best audience through the power of the link with Bitly Enterprise
Theme: Sales, marketing, and CX
Vendor claims: SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR
Operations
ClickShare
Operational Services
About ClickShare
Barco offers a wide range of visual display and collaboration solutions across different industries, including healthcare, enterprise, and entertainment.
Theme: Work suites and collaboration
Vendor claims: ISO 27001, GDPR
Source: Torii Research, anonymized and aggregated usage data. Published May 1, 2026. Summary figures computed from the 24 apps in this report.
What the data says
ShareX (20% adoption), an open-source screen capture tool, and PDFx (19% adoption), a PDF editor, sit well ahead of the rest of the list. No other app reaches 10% adoption.
Developer Tools (7) is the largest category, including LinqPad, Composio, and ollama, followed by Productivity (5) and Sales & Marketing (4).
The median Shadow IT index is 79, and 3 of the 24 apps score 90 or higher, led by LinqPad and VyprVPN at 92. No app reaches the maximum of 100 in this edition.
The data
Show the full data table (24 rows)
| Rank | App | Category | Theme | AI-native | Adoption (%) | Shadow IT index | SOC 2 claimed | ISO 27001 claimed | GDPR claimed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ShareX | Productivity | Personal productivity | No | 20 | 90 | No | No | No |
| 2 | PDFx | Productivity | Personal productivity | No | 19 | 88 | No | No | No |
| 3 | LinqPad | Developer Tools | Developer and data tools | No | 9 | 92 | No | No | No |
| 4 | WhisperAI | Productivity | AI notes and voice | Yes | 9 | 82 | No | No | No |
| 5 | Composio | Developer Tools | AI coding and building | Yes | 5 | 79 | Yes | No | No |
| 6 | ollama | Developer Tools | AI coding and building | Yes | 5 | 75 | No | No | No |
| 7 | Conductor | Sales & Marketing | Sales, marketing, and CX | No | 5 | 74 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 8 | CapCut | Design | Design and video | No | 4 | 76 | No | No | Yes |
| 9 | Linear | Project Management | Work suites and collaboration | No | 4 | 71 | Yes | No | Yes |
| 10 | RCLONE | IT & Security | Security and IT | No | 4 | 84 | No | No | No |
| 11 | Firecrawl | Developer Tools | AI coding and building | Yes | 4 | 76 | Yes | No | Yes |
| 12 | Expo | Developer Tools | Developer and data tools | No | 3 | 69 | No | No | Yes |
| 13 | OpenRouter | Productivity | AI coding and building | Yes | 3 | 78 | No | No | Yes |
| 14 | NorthPoint | Sales & Marketing | Sales, marketing, and CX | No | 3 | 86 | No | No | No |
| 15 | PandaDoc | Sales & Marketing | Sales, marketing, and CX | No | 3 | 73 | Yes | No | Yes |
| 16 | VyprVPN | IT & Security | Security and IT | No | 3 | 92 | No | No | No |
| 17 | Araxis Merge | Developer Tools | Developer and data tools | No | 3 | 85 | No | No | No |
| 18 | Forkable | Operations | Personal and consumer apps | No | 3 | 85 | No | No | No |
| 19 | Optro | Analytics & BI | Developer and data tools | No | 3 | 85 | No | No | No |
| 20 | QR.io | Operations | Sales, marketing, and CX | No | 3 | 73 | No | No | Yes |
| 21 | Shottr | Productivity | Personal productivity | No | 3 | 80 | No | No | No |
| 22 | App Store Connect | Developer Tools | Developer and data tools | No | 3 | 79 | No | Yes | Yes |
| 23 | Bitly | Sales & Marketing | Sales, marketing, and CX | No | 3 | 73 | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 24 | ClickShare | Operations | Work suites and collaboration | No | 3 | 78 | No | Yes | Yes |
Free to quote with attribution to Torii Research and a link to this page. A plain-text version is at shadow-it-index-may-2026.md.
How to read this index
- Adoption
- The percentage of monitored organizations where the app was adopted during that month: a monthly figure, not a running total. The list is ranked on this number where it is available.
- Shadow IT index
- How often the app is left as "discovered" rather than sanctioned through SSO or procurement, normalized to 0 to 100.
- Why it surfaced
- The app's top functional tags. Open an app for its full profile across every edition.
Definitions in the glossary; formulas and limitations on the Methodology page.
Changelog
- CorrectionRewrote the takeaways from this edition's data.
- UpdateMoved from toriiresearch.com; title standardized.
