Socket
Supply chain security tool that flags and blocks malicious or risky open-source packages.
Updated · AppBreakup editorial · Web, Browser extension
Is Socket free?
Free plan, plus paid plans
- Starting price:
- $25 per dev seat/month (Team)
- Free plan:
- Yes, $0 per dev seat
Checked on Socket's site Nov 8, 2026
Full Socket pricing and plansSwitch from Socket to
All 6
SnykStarting price: $25 a month, billed monthly (Team)
Aikido SecurityPentest price: $4,000 per assessment (typical)
Mend.ioMend AppSec price: Up to $1,000 per developer/year
- Verified facts
- 5 of 5
- Alternatives ranked
- 6
- Approved reviews
- 0
- Visits sent from here
- 0
About Socket
Socket protects projects from risky open-source dependencies. Rather than only matching packages against known CVEs, it analyses what each package actually does, such as install scripts, network access or obfuscated code, and flags malware, typosquats and other supply chain attacks. It plugs in as a GitHub app that comments on pull requests, a CLI, a firewall that blocks bad packages at install time, IDE plugins, a browser extension and an MCP server for AI coding agents. Paid plans add reachability analysis to cut irrelevant CVE alerts, SBOM import and export, license policies, SSO and integrations with Slack, ticketing and SIEM tools; Enterprise adds GitLab, Bitbucket and Azure DevOps support plus SAST, secrets and container scanning. Only the dependency list is sent to Socket, not your source code. There is a free plan for individuals and small teams, per-developer Team and Business plans, and free use for open-source projects. Socket was founded in 2021 by open-source developer Feross Aboukhadijeh and runs as a web service.
Best for: JavaScript and Python teams worried about malicious packages and dependency supply chain attacks.
Socket pricing (checked Nov 8, 2026)
Each line is quoted from Socket's own site, with the page it came from.
| Plan or term | What it says | Checked | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes, $0 per dev seat | Nov 8, 2026 | socket.dev |
| Starting price | $25 per dev seat/month (Team) | Nov 8, 2026 | socket.dev |
Pros and cons
What works
- Detects malicious behaviour in packages, not just known CVEs
- Free plan and free use for open-source projects
- Blocks bad packages at install time with Socket Firewall
- Source code stays local; only dependency lists are sent
Why people leave
- GitLab, Bitbucket and Azure DevOps need the Enterprise plan
- SAST, secrets and container scanning are Enterprise-only
- Focused on dependencies, so it doesn't replace a full code scanner
Socket vs Snyk, Aikido Security and Mend.io
From each app's listing and the prices verified on its own site. A dash means we haven't verified it yet.
| Attribute | Socket | Snyk | Aikido Security | Mend.io |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free plan + paid | Free plan + paid | Free plan + paid | Paid |
| Verified price | $25 per dev seat/month (Team) | $25 a month, billed monthly (Team) | $4,000 per assessment (typical) | Up to $1,000 per developer/year |
| Free plan | Yes, $0 per dev seat | Yes, $0 a month | Yes, up to 2 users | No |
| Open source | No | No | No | No |
| Self-hostable | No | No | No | No |
| Platforms | Web, Browser extension | Web, Windows, macOS, Linux | Web | Web |
Top Socket alternatives
See all 6- 1Snyk68.8
Broader developer security platform covering code, containers and IaC as well as dependencies.
- 2Aikido Security64.8
Adds package malware detection to a wider SAST, cloud and container scanning bundle.
- 3Mend.io61.8
Enterprise SCA with long-standing license compliance and automated dependency updates.
- 4
Black Duck59.4Enterprise SCA with binary and snippet analysis for audits and M&A due diligence.
- 5
Trivy57.5Free open-source scanner for dependency CVEs and containers that you run yourself.
Why people left Socket
In reviewers' own words, from reviews of the apps they moved to. These are their opinions, not ours.
No switching stories yet. If you moved away from Socket, review the app you switched to and tell us why.
Reviews
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Socket: common questions
What is Socket?
Socket: Supply chain security tool that flags and blocks malicious or risky open-source packages. Best for javaScript and Python teams worried about malicious packages and dependency supply chain attacks. Available for Web and Browser extension.
Is Socket free?
Socket has a free plan and paid plans. Free plan: Yes, $0 per dev seat (checked on Socket's own site).
How much does Socket cost?
Socket is free with paid plans. Free plan: Yes, $0 per dev seat; Starting price: $25 per dev seat/month (Team). Checked on Socket's own site, November 2026.
Is Socket open source?
No, Socket is not open source. Open-source alternatives include Trivy and Semgrep.
What platforms does Socket run on?
Socket is available for Web and Browser extension.
What are the best alternatives to Socket?
The highest-ranked Socket alternatives right now are Snyk, Aikido Security and Mend.io. See the full ranked list for pricing, platforms and verified facts.
Socket vs Snyk: what's the difference?
Both Socket and Snyk are free with paid plans. Verified prices: Socket $25 per dev seat/month (Team), Snyk $25 a month, billed monthly (Team). Only Socket runs on Browser extension. Only Snyk runs on Windows, macOS and Linux.