What it is
RatScanner is an open-source Windows app maintained at github.com/RatScanner/RatScanner. It runs as an external overlay (without touching game files) and uses OCR to identify items when you aim with the cursor or press a hotkey. Shows current flea price, value per slot, and key stats. GPL-3.0 license, regular releases (the latest 3.9.2 is from December 2025), 611+ stars.
What problem it solves
In Tarkov you can't know an item's price without Alt-Tabbing to tarkov.dev or tarkov-market. When you're under pressure in raid and discover a container with mixed loot, deciding what to put in the rig requires knowing value per slot fast. RatScanner solves that by showing you the price directly above the item.
Differentiation
Versus tarkov-market and tarkov.dev (external sites that need Alt-Tab), RatScanner brings the info into the game. Versus other overlays that touch game files (potential ban risk), RatScanner is external and only reads pixels — Battlestate hasn't banned it as of now. It's the only tool of its category with consolidated presence.
What people use it for
- Identify loot in-raid without pausing to Alt-Tab when seconds matter.
- Decide what goes in the rig by comparing value per slot of competing items.
- Verify meta flea prices while trading or selling from the menu.
- Quick stash scan to inventory total value without clicking item by item.
Who this tool isn't for
If you play solo PvE relaxed and don't care about time-to-loot, you can live with tarkov-market in a tab. If your setup is Mac or Linux (without SPT), RatScanner doesn't run — it's Windows-only. And if you're uncomfortable using tools that read the game's screen (even if they don't touch files), avoid it.
How it's used in practice
- Download the latest release from github.com/RatScanner/RatScanner/releases.
- Extract and run RatScanner.exe (may request admin permissions).
- Configure scan hotkey (default is usually Ctrl+Click over the item).
- Aim at the item in raid and press the hotkey — price appears as a tooltip.
- Adjust price sources (tarkov-market / tarkov.dev) from settings.
Honest limitations
- Windows-only: no native Mac/Linux version.
- OCR isn't perfect: items with similar names can get confused; verify in critical cases.
- Battlestate hasn't endorsed it: tolerated but technically third-party tool use is against ToS. Low historical risk, but it exists.
- Performance overhead: like any overlay, it consumes RAM/CPU. On low-spec machines it can impact FPS.
How to get started
Visit github.com/RatScanner/RatScanner. Download the latest Windows release. Follow the hotkey setup in the README. The GitHub issues community is active for support.
