DigiCert Software Trust Manager vs Sigstore

DigiCert Software Trust Manager governs and automates software signing across artifacts, tools, and teams. Signing workflows can run after security checks and cover containers, binaries, and other artifacts, including Windows packages, Java archives, Android APK/AAB files, and macOS application and installer formats. Teams can use Signing Manager Controller, command-line tools, or the Click-to-sign graphical application, and connect workflows through native connectors, GitHub Actions, CLI tools, and APIs. Role- and team-based access, policy templates, workflows, and approvals govern high-risk signing actions. Logs link signed items to an actor and time for audits and incident response. Keys can be stored in FIPS 140-2 Level 3 or Common Criteria EAL4+ HSMs, with regional storage options. Threat detection includes software composition analysis, static binary analysis, Apple notarization scans, and DAST. Use requires a DigiCert ONE host environment, API key, client authentication certificate, and certificate password; two-factor authentication is required for all users. Pricing is on request, and a 30-day trial is listed.

Sigstore is a free, open source project for signing and verifying software artifacts to improve supply chain security. It supports release files, container images, binaries, software bills of materials, and more. Signatures use temporary keys, so developers do not have to manage signing keys; events are recorded in a tamper-resistant public log for audit. Its components include Cosign, Fulcio, Rekor, OpenID Connect, and Policy Controller. Cosign signs and verifies artifacts and stores signatures in an OCI registry. Fulcio issues temporary certificates to authorized identities, while Rekor keeps signed metadata in a searchable ledger. OpenID Connect authenticates users through providers such as GitHub and Google. The trust root uses The Update Framework and is maintained by five keyholders from different companies and academic institutions. Sigstore provides GitHub Actions, documents GitLab CI installation, and offers official clients for Go, Java, JavaScript, Python, Ruby, and Rust. It supports API, Linux, macOS, Windows, and self-hosted environments. One integration caveat is that Cosign has no API stability guarantees, does not follow semantic versioning, and is not recommended for application integration because of its dependencies.