Best cdxgen Alternatives in 2026
The top cdxgen alternatives are Docker Scout, Amazon Inspector and Trivy: 15 SBOM generation tools our editors would look at instead of cdxgen, in our ranking order.
cdxgen: A flexible SBOM command-line tool spanning source, containers, and binaries. Where it falls short: command-line workflow may not suit teams seeking a graphical interface.
Switching from cdxgen? For most sbom generation tools buyers the best cdxgen alternative is Docker Scout, built for teams generating SBOMs for container images. On a budget, GitHub Dependency Graph SBOM Export starts at $4/user/mo.
Why People Look for a cdxgen Alternative
- Command-line workflow may not suit teams seeking a graphical interface
- Support channels are community and documentation
- Its primary native output is CycloneDX, with SPDX available as an export
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallDocker Scout8.7
Teams generating SBOMs for container images
Visit Docker Scout - Lowest priceGitHub Dependency Graph SBOM Export7.3
Paid plans from $4/user/mo
Visit GitHub Dependency Graph SBOM Export - Best free optionDocker Scout8.7
Has a free plan
Visit Docker Scout
All 15 cdxgen Alternatives, Ranked
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
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Best forTeams generating SBOMs for container images
- Better than cdxgen:
- Editor score 8.7 vs 7.9
Generates and displays SBOMs alongside vulnerability analysis for container images.
8.7/10★★★★☆Visit Docker Scout -
Best forAWS teams needing managed SBOM exports
- Better than cdxgen:
- Editor score 8.6 vs 7.9
A managed AWS security service that pairs continuous scanning with SBOM exports.
8.6/10★★★★☆Try Amazon Inspector -
Best forFree SBOM generation plus security scanning
- Better than cdxgen:
- Editor score 8.5 vs 7.9
A free, self-hosted SBOM generator that also scans code, containers, Kubernetes, and AWS.
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit Trivy -
Best forSBOMs from compiled binaries and firmware
- Better than cdxgen:
- Editor score 8.4 vs 7.9
A binary-focused SBOM tool for teams tracking components in shipped software.
- Container image input
- Binary input
- SPDX output
8.4/10★★★★☆Visit Keysight -
Best forBroad SBOM generation across images and filesystems
A free, open-source CLI and Go library for creating and converting CycloneDX and SPDX SBOMs.
- Container image input
- Binary input
- SPDX output
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Syft -
Best forTeams covering code, images, binaries, and Kubernetes
A broad-scope SBOM CLI with useful analysis features and scanner setup requirements.
- Container image input
- Binary input
- Build-pipeline support
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit SBOM Observer -
Best forTeams needing SBOMs across varied software inputs
A free, local-first tool for generating SBOMs and reviewing supplier risk.
- Container image input
- Binary input
- SPDX output
7.8/10★★★★☆Explore BomLens -
Best forOpen-source dependency SBOMs across many ecosystems
A broad, self-hosted toolkit for dependency SBOMs, scanning, and policy checks.
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit site -
Best forFree SPDX SBOMs in build pipelines
A free command-line tool for SPDX SBOMs in build and release workflows.
- Container image input
- Binary input
- SPDX output
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit Microsoft -
Best forSPDX SBOMs for files, archives, and container images
An open-source CLI for generating and working with SPDX SBOMs across varied inputs.
- Container image input
- Binary input
- SPDX output
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit Kubernetes BOM -
Best forFree multi-language SBOMs from manifests and lockfiles
A free, self-hosted tool for generating CycloneDX SBOMs from supported dependency files.
- Source code input
- CycloneDX output
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit Datadog -
Best forRepositories already using GitHub Dependency Graph
A convenient SPDX export for GitHub repositories, limited to the graph’s current state.
- SPDX output
- Build-pipeline support
7.3/10★★★★☆Visit GitHub -
Best forTeams pairing SBOMs with dependency risk management
Pairs SBOM and VEX workflows with reachability analysis and remediation.
7.2/10★★★★☆Visit Endor Labs -
Best forTeams managing SBOMs, licenses, and vulnerabilities
FOSSA pairs SBOM workflows with software composition analysis and policy enforcement.
7.1/10★★★★☆Visit FOSSA -
Best forEnterprises pairing SBOMs with application security
SBOM generation within a broader application and AI security suite.
7.0/10★★★★☆Visit Mend.io
cdxgen Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to cdxgen?
Docker Scout: #1 in our SBOM Generation Tools ranking, with an editor score of 8.7 out of 10. Generates and displays SBOMs alongside vulnerability analysis for container images.
Is there a free alternative to cdxgen?
Yes. Docker Scout, Trivy, Syft, SBOM Observer CLI and BomLens have a free plan or a free tier (12 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
What is the cheapest paid alternative to cdxgen?
Of the alternatives here that publish a price, GitHub Dependency Graph SBOM Export starts lowest, at $4/user/mo.
Why do people look for cdxgen alternatives?
Command-line workflow may not suit teams seeking a graphical interface; Support channels are community and documentation; Its primary native output is CycloneDX, with SPDX available as an export.
How do I switch from cdxgen?
Export your data from cdxgen (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel cdxgen.
How to Switch from cdxgen
- Export your data from cdxgen (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel cdxgen.
cdxgen vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | SPDX output | CycloneDX output | Source code input | Container image input | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | cdxgen | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.9 |
| 1 | Docker Scout | Yes | 8.7 | |||||
| 2 | Amazon Inspector | No | 8.6 | |||||
| 3 | Trivy | Yes | Free | 8.5 | ||||
| 4 | Keysight SBOM Generator | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | 8.4 | ||
| 5 | Syft | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.9 |
| 6 | SBOM Observer CLI | Yes | Free | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.9 |
| 7 | BomLens | Yes | Free | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 7.8 |
| 8 | OSS Review Toolkit | Free | 7.7 | |||||
| 9 | Microsoft SBOM Tool | Yes | Free | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | 7.6 |
| 10 | Kubernetes BOM (bom) | Yes | Free | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | 7.5 |
| 11 | Datadog SBOM Generator | Yes | Free | No | Yes | Yes | No | 7.4 |
| 12 | GitHub Dependency Graph SBOM Export | Yes | $4/user/mo | Yes | No | No | No | 7.3 |
| 13 | Endor Labs | Yes | 7.2 | |||||
| 14 | FOSSA | Yes | $20/site/mo | 7.1 | ||||
| 15 | Mend.io | $250/user/yr | 7.0 |
Head-to-Head
- cdxgen vs Docker Scout
- cdxgen vs Amazon Inspector
- cdxgen vs Trivy
- cdxgen vs Keysight SBOM Generator
- cdxgen vs Syft
- cdxgen vs SBOM Observer CLI
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Nov 2026
Last updated · How we research and update