Socket is a supply chain security platform built to detect and block malicious open-source packages before they reach developer machines, CI/CD pipelines, or production systems. It targets engineering, security, and DevOps teams that rely on npm, PyPI, Go, and RubyGems dependencies. Because modern applications can consist of up to 90% open-source code, Socket focuses on stopping typosquatting, hidden malware, and compromised package updates rather than only tracking known CVEs.
The platform scans dependencies across major registries in real time using AI-powered behavioral analysis. Instead of waiting for a CVE to be published, Socket looks for suspicious network calls, obfuscated code, and other anomalies within minutes of a package going live. Socket CLI and Socket for GitHub let teams intercept risky dependencies during local installs or inside pull requests, before they merge into a codebase.
Socket separates itself from traditional Software Composition Analysis tools through its Reachability Analysis feature, which checks whether a vulnerable function is actually called by the application. This filters out a large share of irrelevant vulnerability noise, up to 90% on the Enterprise plan according to Socket. The platform also offers Socket Certified Patches, human-reviewed fixes that remediate CVEs without requiring risky version upgrades.
Socket Inc. reports protecting more than 27,000 organizations and over 1.5 million code repositories, with more than 11.6 million commits scanned monthly. The company has raised $125 million in funding, holds SOC 2 Type II certification, and was named to the Fortune Cyber 60 list. Customers cited include Anthropic, Vercel, MetaMask, Netflix, and UiPath.
Pricing
Socket offers four tiers. The Free plan costs $0 per month with unlimited developers and repositories, but caps usage at 1,000 scans monthly, 3 team members, and 1 repository label. The Team plan costs $25 per developer monthly with a 5-developer minimum, adding 5,000 scans and precomputed reachability analysis. The Business plan costs $50 per developer monthly with a 20-developer minimum, adding SBOM support, SSO/SAML, and compliance integrations, while Enterprise pricing is custom and adds full function-level reachability plus a dedicated account manager.
* Disclaimer: Please note that pricing information may not be up to date. For the most accurate and current pricing details, refer to the official website.
Key Features
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Real-time detection blocks zero-day malware within minutes of publication
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Socket Firewall blocks malicious dependencies at the point of installation
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Socket for GitHub flags risky dependency changes inside pull requests
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Reachability Analysis confirms whether vulnerable code paths actually execute
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Socket Certified Patches apply human-reviewed fixes without breaking existing builds
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SBOM import and export support dependency visibility and compliance reporting
Use Cases
Blocking Zero-Day Malware Installs
A developer tries to install a newly published, typosquatted package. Socket Firewall intercepts the command at the CLI level, flags the anomalous code, and blocks the install before the malware reaches the developer’s machine.
Securing Pull Request Merges
An engineering team wants to stop vulnerable or malicious dependencies from reaching the production branch. Socket for GitHub reviews incoming pull requests automatically, posts a risk summary, and blocks merges that violate the team’s security policy.
Cutting Vulnerability Alert Fatigue
A security team is buried in low-priority CVE alerts that are rarely exploited. Socket’s Reachability Analysis checks which vulnerable functions are actually called by the running application, filtering out irrelevant alerts so the team can focus on real risks.
Automating Vulnerability Remediation
Developers need to patch several CVEs quickly without breaking existing functionality. Socket Certified Patches offers human-reviewed fixes applied through one-click pull requests, reducing the risk of a version upgrade going wrong.
Maintaining Continuous Security Compliance
A business needs to prove it enforces strict open-source security controls for a SOC 2 audit. Socket integrates with compliance platforms, generates SBOMs, and provides audit logs and policy enforcement records to support the review.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
Focuses on stopping zero-day supply chain attacks rather than relying only on published CVE databases.
Cuts vulnerability alert fatigue through reachability analysis that filters out non-executable code paths.
Fits into existing developer workflows through the CLI and GitHub without slowing installs.
Provides full security features free for open-source projects at no cost.
Uses AI analysis to catch obfuscated or hidden malicious package behavior that signature-based scanners miss.
Weaknesses
Full application function-level reachability analysis is reserved for the custom-priced Enterprise plan.
The Free plan restricts teams to 3 members and 1 repository label, limiting scalability.
Source control integrations for GitLab, Bitbucket, and Azure DevOps require an Enterprise subscription.
Compliance integrations such as Vanta are unavailable below the $50-per-developer Business plan.
Who Is This For?
Open-Source Maintainers: Socket is free for open-source projects, letting maintainers protect repositories and users from malicious contributions at no cost.
Security and AppSec Teams: Reachability analysis filters CVE noise while AI-based detection provides real-time alerts on emerging threats.
Platform Engineering and DevOps Teams: Automated checks in CI/CD and pull requests enforce security policy without slowing developer velocity.
Growing Companies and Enterprises: Pricing scales from small teams needing basic GitHub scanning to large enterprises requiring SOC 2 compliance and SCIM provisioning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Socket free for open-source projects?
Yes. Socket is built on open-source software and remains free for open-source projects, including unlimited developers and repositories on the free tier.
How much does Socket cost for a small team?
The Team plan costs $25 per developer per month, with a minimum of 5 developers, and includes 5,000 monthly scans plus reachability analysis.
How does Socket count developers for billing?
A developer is defined as anyone who committed to a scanned repository within the past 90 days.
Does Socket see or store my private source code?
No. Source code stays on your machine or CI environment; only the dependency list is sent to Socket for analysis.
Can I generate a Software Bill of Materials with Socket?
Yes, SBOM import and export is included starting with the Business plan, which costs $50 per developer monthly.
What happens to my account if I cancel?
You keep paid features until the end of the billing cycle, then the account downgrades automatically to the Free plan.
Which package registries does Socket scan?
Socket scans npm, pnpm, PyPI, Go, and RubyGems dependencies natively across supported ecosystems.
How does Socket reduce false vulnerability alerts?
Reachability analysis checks whether a vulnerable function actually runs in the application, filtering out CVEs that never execute.
Which source control platforms work with Socket?
GitHub is supported on all plans; GitLab, Bitbucket, and Azure DevOps integrations require an Enterprise subscription.
Socket integrates with GitHub for pull request scanning on all plans, with GitLab, Bitbucket, and Azure DevOps available on the Enterprise plan. It supports npm, pnpm, PyPI, Go, and RubyGems package managers, and connects to Slack and Asana for alerts and ticketing. Compliance platforms Drata and Vanta sync open-source controls, and Socket can export data to SIEM tools for centralized reporting.