Grype vs ScanCode.io
Grype
github.comScanCode.io
scancode.ioSide by side
| Figure | Grype | ScanCode.io |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | Yes | — |
| Web | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Self-hosted | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 2 | 1 |
| Spec score · Software Composition Analysis Software | 8.7 (#4) | 8.4 (#8) |
| Founded | 2016 | 2014 |
| Headquarters | Santa Barbara, California, United States | Brussels, Belgium |
| License | The project is released under the Apache-2.0 License. | The ScanCode.io software is licensed under Apache License 2.0. |
| Purpose | Grype scans container images, filesystems, and SBOMs for known vulnerabilities. | ScanCode.io provides a Web UI and API for running and reviewing complex software composition analysis scans in scripted pipelines. |
| Scan targets | It supports container images, directories, files, archives, SBOMs, and individual packages identified by PURL or CPE. | It scans containers, Docker images, package archives, and manifests for license, copyright, source, and vulnerability information. |
| Support | Commercial support is offered through Anchore, while community help is routed through issues, contribution documentation and community meetings. | The documentation directs users to file documentation issues for missing or confusing content. |
Plans
In their own words
Grype
Grype is a free, Apache-2.0-licensed scanner for known vulnerabilities in container images, filesystems, and software bills of materials (SBOMs). It can also scan directories, individual files, archives, and packages identified by PURL or CPE. Coverage includes major operating-system package ecosystems and language packages such as Ruby, Java, JavaScript, Python, .NET, Go, PHP, and Rust; supported image formats include Docker, OCI, and Singularity. Grype uses EPSS, KEV, and risk scoring to help prioritize findings. OpenVEX can filter results or add context. Reports can be emitted as a table, JSON, SARIF, or a custom Go template. The project supports SBOM generation and runs on Linux, macOS, Windows, or in a self-hosted setup. Installation options include a Docker image and community packages such as Homebrew, MacPorts, Winget, Scoop, and Snapcraft. Individual package scanning is described as useful for lightweight vulnerability checks and compliance scanning of specific dependencies. Security updates are applied only to the most recent release, and vulnerability-report support is described as best effort.
ScanCode.io
ScanCode.io provides a web interface and API for running software composition analysis scans in scripted pipelines. It scans containers, Docker images, package archives, and manifests for license, copyright, source, and vulnerability information, and can generate or consume CycloneDX and SPDX SBOMs. The same capabilities are available through its command-line interface and REST API. Documented pipeline integrations include GitHub Actions, Jenkins, GitLab, and Azure Pipelines; other CI/CD systems that support Docker can run it too. It can fetch packages using Package URLs and retrieve artifacts from JFrog Artifactory and Sonatype Nexus. Installation is preferably through Docker, including for Windows; Linux server installation is also supported, and an offline Docker package can be transferred to an isolated server. The software is open source under Apache License 2.0 and is free. Authentication for the web interface and API is disabled by default, but can be enabled. Its default setup starts one worker, so it runs one pipeline at a time.