AIDE review
A detailed baseline checker for Unix administrators who do not need real-time alerts.
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
AIDE is an open-source file and directory integrity checker for system administrators working with Unix-like systems. It runs locally on Linux and macOS in a self-hosted, on-premises deployment, creating a baseline database from configured file and directory rules. Later integrity checks compare the current filesystem with that baseline, helping administrators identify changes to monitored files and directories. Its Unix focus makes it a fit for teams that prefer local command-line tools and configurable checks over hosted monitoring.
Its strongest capability is the depth of its baseline comparisons. AIDE can hash files with algorithms including SHA-256, SHA-512, MD5, and others, while also checking file type, permissions, ownership, inode, size, timestamps, links, and related attributes. Rules can include or exclude paths through regular expressions, and administrators can update the database after reviewing changes. Support for POSIX ACLs, SELinux contexts, extended attributes, and filesystem attributes is available when compiled in, giving Unix administrators detailed control over what constitutes a change.
AIDE also supports centralized comparison of databases from multiple hosts, which can help administrators review integrity results across a Unix environment. Its narrow focus is a strength for baseline and configuration monitoring, but it does not provide real-time alerts, and it is not agentless. AIDE is a suitable choice for administrators who want an open-source, locally managed checker with detailed rules and attribute coverage. Teams seeking hosted workflows, real-time notifications, or broader integrations should choose a different type of file integrity monitoring product.
AIDE pros and cons
- Where it wins
- Detailed cryptographic and filesystem-attribute monitoring
- Flexible regular-expression rules for included and excluded paths
- Centralized comparison of databases from multiple hosts
- Where it doesn't
- No real-time alerts
- Command-line, locally installed deployment requires administration
- Integrations are limited
AIDE fact sheet, pricing and score →
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