OpenSSF Scorecard
OpenSSF Scorecard: A free, open-source tool for scoring repository security practices through CLI or GitHub Actions. Ranked #8 of 15 in Open Source Package Health Tools by our editors (7.5/10); pricing: Free plan; best for open-source teams checking repository security practices.
At a glance
- Editor score7.5 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forOpen-source teams checking repository security practices
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Package health scoringYes
- Facts checked26 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Checks branch protection, code review, and dangerous workflows.
- Covers dependency pinning, licensing, security policies, and vulnerabilities.
- Provides CLI, GitHub Action, and machine-readable results.
Where it doesn't
- Focuses on repository practices, not hosted dependency-alert management.
- Integrations are centered on GitHub repositories and GitHub Actions.
- Support channels are documentation and community.
Our verdict on OpenSSF Scorecard
OpenSSF Scorecard is a free, open-source command-line tool and GitHub Action for evaluating security practices in open-source repositories. It is suited to teams that want to assess repository configuration and practices, rather than manage dependency alerts through a hosted service. The tool runs across Linux, macOS, and Windows, and can publish project scores for automation and continuous monitoring.
Its checks span repository controls and software supply-chain practices: branch protection, code review, dangerous workflows, dependency pinning, dependency-update tools, license presence, security policies, signed releases, token permissions, and known vulnerabilities. That breadth makes it useful for a security posture review across several areas from one tool. Results can be emitted in machine-readable formats, while the CLI and GitHub Action offer options for running checks directly or within a GitHub workflow.
Scorecard's ecosystem fit is specifically GitHub-oriented: it integrates with GitHub repositories and GitHub Actions, and supports self-hosted deployment. Documentation and community are its listed support channels. Its narrow focus is also an important distinction: it scores repository security practices, not dependency health management as a hosted alerting service. Open-source teams seeking actionable checks on repository practices should consider Scorecard; teams looking for a managed dependency-alert platform should choose a tool built for that need instead.
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OpenSSF Scorecard pricing
OpenSSF Scorecard fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Package health scoring | Yes |
| Dependency alerts | Not verified |
| License analysis | Yes |
| Package ecosystems | Not verified |
| Repository platforms | GitHub |
| SBOM support | Not verified |
| Deployment | Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Linux, macOS, Windows |
| Support | Docs, Community |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 2 integrations: GitHub Actions, GitHub repositories |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | scorecard.dev |
| Facts checked | 26 Sep 2026 |
OpenSSF Scorecard integrations
OpenSSF Scorecard lists 2 integrations on its own site.
- GitHub Actions
- GitHub repositories
Alternatives to OpenSSF Scorecard
- Sonatype LifecyclePolicy-driven SCA with broad ecosystem coverage, SBOMs, reachability, and continuous monitoring.9.2
- Endor LabsMaps vulnerable dependency reachability and connects findings to remediation workflows.8.8
- SocketBroad dependency risk coverage, with cloud-only deployment and paid plans from $25 per developer monthly.8.6
See all OpenSSF Scorecard alternatives →
OpenSSF Scorecard vs the competition
- OpenSSF Scorecard vs Sonatype Lifecycle
- OpenSSF Scorecard vs Endor Labs
- OpenSSF Scorecard vs Socket
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Compare OpenSSF Scorecard with any tool side by side →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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