Top 10 Free Alternatives to Snyk in 2025

As we look forward to the security landscape of 2025, several robust alternatives have emerged as viable options to Snyk. This article will delve into ten free tools that provide comprehensive security features, from static analysis to dynamic testing, and offer unique advantages to developers and security professionals.

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1. OWASP ZAP (Zed Attack Proxy)

Description: An open-source web application security scanner, part of the OWASP (Open Web Application Security Project). It is a DAST (Dynamic Application Security Testing) tool that helps find vulnerabilities in web applications during runtime.
Type: DAST
License: Open Source (Free)
Features: Automated and manual testing, vulnerability scanning, interception proxy for request modification, active and passive scanning
Use Case: Web application security testing, penetration testing.
Integrations: Can be integrated into CI/CD pipelines. Learn more about OWASP ZAP

2. Greenbone OpenVAS

Description: An open-source vulnerability scanner and vulnerability management system providing comprehensive vulnerability scanning of networks and systems.
Type: Vulnerability Scanner
License: Open Source (Free)
Features: Scans for a wide range of vulnerabilities, regularly updated vulnerability database, pre-built virtual machine for easy deployment
Use Case: Infrastructure vulnerability scanning, network security assessments
Coverage: Scans for network devices, servers, and workstations. Explore Greenbone OpenVAS

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3. Wazuh

Description: An open-source security monitoring platform that provides vulnerability detection, intrusion detection, and log management capabilities.
Type: Security monitoring and vulnerability detection
License: Open Source (Free)
Features: Vulnerability detection, malware detection, security event analysis, endpoint agents
Use Case: Security monitoring, threat detection in networks and cloud environments.
Vulnerability Database: Frequently updated. Discover Wazuh

4. Semgrep

Description: A fast, open-source static analysis tool for finding bugs and enforcing code standards. It's known for its configurable rules and ease of use. It's considered a SAST (Static Application Security Testing) tool.
Type: SAST
License: Open Source (Free)
Features: Customizable rule engine, fast analysis, supports multiple languages
Use Case: Code quality checks, static code analysis, vulnerability detection in code.
Configuration: Highly configurable with a custom rule system. Learn more about Semgrep

5. GitHub Code Scanning

Description: A static analysis tool from GitHub that uses CodeQL to scan public repositories for vulnerabilities. It's free for open-source projects.
Type: SAST
License: Free for open-source projects
Features: Automatic scanning, integrates with GitHub Actions and CodeQL, supports multiple languages
Use Case: Identifying vulnerabilities in open-source code within GitHub repositories.
Supported Languages: C/C++, C#, Ruby (beta), Java, JavaScript/TypeScript, Python, and Go. Explore GitHub Code Scanning

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6. GitLab

Description: GitLab provides a platform for the entire DevOps lifecycle and includes SAST and DAST capabilities.
Type: SAST and DAST
License: Free with paid options
Features: Code review, issue tracking, CI/CD, static and dynamic security scanning
Use Case: Integrated DevOps pipeline, code security, application development lifecycle management.
Trial: 30-day free trial. Discover GitLab

7. Nmap

Description: Nmap (Network Mapper) is a free, open-source command-line tool used for network discovery and security auditing. It's commonly used for port scanning and identifying network vulnerabilities.
Type: Network Scanner
License: Open Source (Free)
Features: Port scanning, network mapping, vulnerability detection via NSE scripting engine.
Use Case: Network security auditing, vulnerability assessment.
Platform Support: Available for Linux, Windows, and MacOS. Explore Nmap

8. Nuclei

Description: An open-source vulnerability scanner that uses a large library of community-powered templates to scan web applications. It integrates into CI/CD pipelines for automated security testing.
Type: DAST
License: Open Source (Free)
Features: Template-based scanning, CI/CD integration, URL fuzzing.
Use Case: Web application vulnerability scanning, automated security testing.
Customization: Uses a YAML-based DSL, making it easy to customize and use. Learn more about Nuclei

9. HCL AppScan CodeSweep

Description: A free community edition of HCL AppScan, this is a SAST tool that is available for all users.
Type: SAST
License: Free for all users
Features: Static code analysis, supports multiple languages.
Use Case: Identifying vulnerabilities in code. Discover HCL AppScan CodeSweep

10. CodeAnt AI

Description: AI-powered SAST that reviews code and detects bugs, security vulnerabilities and code quality issues in real-time.
Type: SAST
License: Free Trial, then paid plans
Features: Real-time SAST analysis, auto-fixing, custom rules, identifies duplicate code.
Use Case: Security testing, code quality analysis.
Integrations: Works with CI/CD tools. Explore CodeAnt AI

These tools provide a wide array of features and capabilities that serve as excellent alternatives to Snyk, each addressing different aspects of application security. Whether you're looking for static analysis, dynamic testing, or comprehensive vulnerability management, there's a free tool in this list that can meet your needs.

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FAQ

1. What is OWASP ZAP?

OWASP ZAP (Zed Attack Proxy) is an open-source web application security scanner, part of the OWASP project. It helps find vulnerabilities in web applications during runtime. Learn more about OWASP ZAP

2. What can Greenbone OpenVAS do?

Greenbone OpenVAS is an open-source vulnerability scanner that offers comprehensive scanning of networks and systems. It includes an updated vulnerability database and is great for network security assessments. Discover Greenbone OpenVAS

3. What features does Wazuh offer?

Wazuh is an open-source security monitoring platform providing features like vulnerability detection, malware detection, intrusion detection, and log management. Learn more about Wazuh

4. How does Semgrep help with code analysis?

Semgrep is a fast, open-source static analysis tool configurable to find bugs and enforce code standards. It supports multiple languages and is highly customizable. Explore Semgrep

5. Is GitHub Code Scanning free for open-source projects?

Yes, GitHub Code Scanning is free for open-source projects. It uses CodeQL to scan repositories for vulnerabilities. Check out GitHub Code Scanning

6. Does GitLab offer free security scanning tools?

GitLab includes free static and dynamic security scanning tools as part of its DevOps platform, with additional features available on paid plans. Learn more about GitLab

7. What can Nmap be used for?

Nmap is a free, open-source command-line tool useful for network discovery, security auditing, and port scanning. It’s compatible with Linux, Windows, and macOS. Explore Nmap

8. What is unique about Nuclei?

Nuclei is an open-source vulnerability scanner that uses community-powered templates for scanning web applications. It supports CI/CD pipeline integration. Discover Nuclei

9. What is HCL AppScan CodeSweep?

HCL AppScan CodeSweep is a free community edition SAST tool, supporting multiple languages for identifying vulnerabilities in code. Learn more about HCL AppScan CodeSweep

10. Can I try CodeAnt AI for free?

Yes, CodeAnt AI offers a free trial that includes real-time SAST analysis, auto-fixing, custom rules, and CI/CD tool integrations. Explore CodeAnt AI

About the Author

Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.

Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).

She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond and launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks.

For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.

About the Publication

Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.

Mission and Purpose

Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.

Key Features

The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:

Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials

Impact and Growth

Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:

3,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
100+ startup tools built
5,000+ pieces of articles and news written

Partnerships

Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.

Recognition

Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.