Socket
San Francisco, California, United States
What it is
Socket is a developer security platform for finding and blocking vulnerable or malicious software dependencies. Its GitHub App scans dependency changes in pull requests and gives feedback before a merge. Socket Firewall intercepts package-manager requests to stop malicious direct or transitive dependencies before installation; its free firewall supports JavaScript and TypeScript package managers, Python pip and uv, and Rust cargo. Reachability analysis can eliminate up to 90% of irrelevant CVEs through full application analysis. Socket also offers a REST API and JavaScript SDK for custom integrations, and lists connections to tools including AWS CodePipeline, Azure Pipelines, Bitbucket Pipelines, CircleCI, Jenkins, Vanta, and Drata. It says it analyzes dependency manifests and lockfiles rather than uploading source code. The Free plan includes 1,000 scans per month, and open-source projects can use Socket for free. Team costs $25 a month per developer, with a five-developer minimum; Business costs $50 a month per developer, with a 20-developer minimum.
For and against
For
- Scans dependency changes in GitHub pull requests
- Firewall blocks malicious dependencies before installation
- Reachability can eliminate up to 90% of irrelevant CVEs
- Open-source projects can use Socket for free
- Analyzes manifests and lockfiles, not source code
Against
- Team requires at least five developers
- Business requires at least 20 developers
- CLI requires Node.js 18.20.8 or newer
- Free Firewall supports a listed set of ecosystems
The verdict
Socket combines pull-request scanning, package-manager protection, and reachability analysis. Its free options may suit open-source users, while paid teams should account for the stated developer minimums.
Who it suits
Socket suits development teams seeking dependency checks in pull requests or package installation, as well as open-source projects. Teams should also consider its developer minimums for paid plans and the CLI’s Node.js requirement.
Plans and prices
Team
5,000 scans/month · 2,500 API quota/hour · unlimited members · 3 repository labels
Read 1 Oct 2026 · socket.dev
Business
10,000 API quota/hour · unlimited members · unlimited repository labels · compliance integrations
Read 1 Oct 2026 · socket.dev
Enterprise
Full application function-level reachability · GitLab/Bitbucket/Azure DevOps/self-hosted integrations · SCIM · audit logs
Read 1 Oct 2026 · socket.dev
Free
Unlimited developers & repos · 1,000 scans/month · 500 API quota/hour · 3 members
Read 1 Oct 2026 · socket.dev
On the record
- API
- Socket provides a REST API and a JavaScript SDK for customized integrations and automation.docs.socket.dev · read 1 Oct 2026
- CLI
- Socket CLI is installed with npm and requires Node.js 18.20.8 or newer.docs.socket.dev · read 1 Oct 2026
- Compliance
- Socket's pricing feature matrix lists SOC 2 Type II compliance.socket.dev · read 1 Oct 2026
- Data handling
- Socket says it never uploads source code and collects dependency manifests and lockfiles for analysis.socket.dev · read 1 Oct 2026
- Encryption
- Socket states that communications with its servers use TLS and that manifest files are protected in transit with HTTPS.socket.dev · read 1 Oct 2026
- Firewall
- Socket Firewall intercepts package-manager requests and blocks malicious direct or transitive dependencies before installation.docs.socket.dev · read 1 Oct 2026
- Firewall ecosystems
- Socket Firewall Free supports JavaScript and TypeScript package managers, Python pip and uv, and Rust cargo.docs.socket.dev · read 1 Oct 2026
- GitHub workflow
- The Socket GitHub App scans dependency changes in pull requests and provides feedback before merging.docs.socket.dev · read 1 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- Socket lists integrations including AWS CodePipeline, Azure Pipelines, Bitbucket Pipelines, CircleCI, Jenkins, Vanta, and Drata.socket.dev · read 1 Oct 2026
- Open-source pricing
- Socket says it is and will always be free to use for open-source projects.socket.dev · read 1 Oct 2026
- Reachability
- Socket reachability analysis can eliminate up to 90% of irrelevant CVEs through full application analysis.docs.socket.dev · read 1 Oct 2026
- Threat prevention
- Socket detects and blocks malicious packages before they reach a developer machine, CI, or production.socket.dev · read 1 Oct 2026
- What it does
- Socket is a developer-first security platform that protects code from vulnerable and malicious dependencies.socket.dev · read 1 Oct 2026
