OpenSSF Scorecard

At a glance

• Editor score
  Not yet scored
• Pricing
  Free plan
• Best for
  Open-source teams checking repository security practices
• Free plan
  Yes
• Paid from
  None
• Package health scoring
  Yes
• Facts checked
  26 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.

OpenSSF Scorecard pricing

OpenSSF Scorecard fact sheet

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.3.0
• Endor LabsMaps vulnerable dependency reachability and connects findings to remediation workflows.4.0
• SocketBroad dependency risk coverage, with cloud-only deployment and paid plans from $25 per developer monthly.5.0

See all OpenSSF Scorecard alternatives →

OpenSSF Scorecard vs the competition

• OSOpenSSF Scorecard vs Sonatype Lifecycle
• OSOpenSSF Scorecard vs Endor Labs
• OSOpenSSF Scorecard vs Socket
• OSMOOpenSSF Scorecard vs Mend Open Source
• OSOpenSSF Scorecard vs ActiveState Platform
• OSLIOpenSSF Scorecard vs LFX Insights

Compare OpenSSF Scorecard with any tool side by side →

Featured on iTechGuides

OpenSSF Scorecard is listed in our Open Source Package Health Tools directory. Add the badge to your site — it links back to this page.

<a href="https://www.itechguides.com/products/openssf-scorecard/"><img src="https://www.itechguides.com/best/badge/openssf-scorecard.svg" alt="Featured on iTechGuides" width="230" height="46"></a>

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. It never changes a score or a verdict. How we rank.