govulncheck
govulncheck: Free Go vulnerability checks prioritize findings by whether vulnerable functions are called. Ranked #51 of 65 in Software Composition Analysis Software by our editors (5.3/10); pricing: Open source; best for go teams needing reachability-focused vulnerability checks.
At a glance
- Editor score5.3 / 10
- PricingOpen source
- Best forGo teams needing reachability-focused vulnerability checks
- Paid fromFree
- SBOM generationYes
- Facts checked19 Sep 2026

Where it wins
- Analyzes Go source code and compiled binaries for known vulnerabilities
- Prioritizes findings using vulnerable function calls and provides call-stack summaries
- Emits JSON, SARIF, and VEX outputs for tooling and workflow integration
Where it doesn't
- Focused on the Go ecosystem rather than multiple languages
- A command-line, self-hosted tool rather than a hosted subscription service
- Its scope is known-vulnerability analysis, not a general-purpose security platform
Our verdict on govulncheck
For Go developers who want to identify known vulnerabilities in source code or compiled binaries, govulncheck is an open-source command-line scanner from the Go team. It draws vulnerability information from the Go Vulnerability Database and prioritizes issues based on whether the application calls vulnerable functions. That reachability focus can help teams distinguish potentially relevant findings from vulnerabilities in code paths their application does not call. It is a focused fit for Go projects, rather than a cross-language software composition analysis platform.
The tool's strongest distinction is how it presents findings: it can provide call-stack summaries for affected code and emit JSON, SARIF, and VEX output. These formats support use alongside other developer and security tooling. Its integrations include gopls, the VS Code Go extension, and GitHub Actions, so teams can bring checks into editor and CI workflows. The Go Vulnerability Database is also an integration and the source of vulnerability information. This ecosystem alignment makes govulncheck relevant to teams already working within Go's tooling environment; it does not make the tool a broad platform for managing dependencies across different ecosystems.
Because govulncheck is distributed as open-source Go tooling, there is no hosted subscription tier to weigh against paid plans. Teams should expect to work with a command-line, self-hosted tool, and its defined scope is checking Go source or binaries for known vulnerabilities. Choose it when Go coverage, reachability-based prioritization, and structured outputs are the priorities. Teams seeking one scanner for projects in multiple language ecosystems or a broader security platform should consider alternatives designed for that wider scope.
Your product? Our editors can test govulncheck in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
govulncheck pricing
govulncheck fact sheet
| Free plan | Not verified |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Supported ecosystems | Go |
| SBOM generation | Yes |
| Reachability analysis | Yes |
| Pull request scanning | Not verified |
| Monitored projects | Not verified |
| Deployment options | Self_hosted |
| Integrations | 4 integrations: Go Vulnerability Database, gopls, VS Code Go extension, GitHub Actions |
| Pricing | Open source |
| Website | go.dev |
| Facts checked | 19 Sep 2026 |
govulncheck integrations
govulncheck lists 4 integrations on its own site.
- Go Vulnerability Database
- gopls
- VS Code Go extension
- GitHub Actions
Alternatives to govulncheck
- Snyk Open SourceBroad SCA coverage with reachability, SBOMs, pull-request scanning, and monitoring.9.4
- FOSSAA mature SCA platform covering dependencies, SBOMs, containers, licenses, and policy controls.9.3
- Safeguard SCAA budget-conscious SCA platform with reachability analysis, SBOMs, and remediation workflows.9.1
See all govulncheck alternatives →
Used govulncheck? Be the first to review it
The editor score above is our own research. What this page doesn't have yet is a reader's view — what you used govulncheck for, what worked and what didn't. No stars are seeded and no review is paid for; an editor reads every one before it appears.
Write a reviewTwo minutes · verified accounts only · read by an editor before it appears
Featured on iTechGuides
govulncheck is listed in our Software Composition Analysis Software directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.
<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/govulncheck/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/govulncheck.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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.
Last updated · How we research and update



