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AIDE

AIDE is an open-source file and directory integrity checker for modern Unix systems.

Place
#20 of 34
Score
6.0
AIDE's website

What AIDE is

AIDE is an open-source file and directory integrity checker for modern Unix systems. It builds a database from configuration rules and uses it to verify monitored files and directories for changes. Checks can cover file type, permissions, inode, ownership, link name, size, block count, and timestamps, with supported digest algorithms including MD5, SHA-1, RIPEMD-160, Tiger, CRC32, SHA-256, SHA-512, and Whirlpool. Plain-text configuration and regular expressions let administrators select paths to include or exclude. POSIX ACL, SELinux, XAttrs, and extended file system attributes can also be checked when the necessary support is compiled in; gzip database compression is available with zlib support. The project describes a stand-alone static binary for client/server monitoring configurations. AIDE runs on modern Unix, with packages listed for Linux distributions, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, Homebrew, MacPorts, and NixOS. It is licensed under GPL-2.0 and offers a mailing list, IRC channel, and GitHub issue tracker for support.

Good

  • Plain-text rules support include and exclude patterns
  • Checks a broad range of file attributes
  • Supports multiple message digest algorithms
  • Runs on modern Unix systems
  • Free under the GPL-2.0 license

Watch out

  • Extended attribute checks require compiled support
  • Gzip database compression requires zlib support
  • No real-time alerts are listed

Who it suits

AIDE suits administrators who need to check selected Unix files and directories for integrity changes. It is intended for users comfortable configuring and running an open-source integrity checker.

Verdict

AIDE provides configurable integrity checks across files and directories on modern Unix. Its compiled-support requirements for some checks and compression options are worth considering.

Plans and prices

From AIDE's own pricing page, checked 5 Oct 2026.

All about pricing
PlanPriceWhat it gives you
AIDEFreeGPL-2.0 licensed software

The facts

Each one read from AIDE's own pages, with the date it was checked.

What it does

Configuration
AIDE uses plain text configuration files and supports regular expressions to include or exclude monitored files and directories.checked 5 Oct 2026
Database compression
Database compression with gzip is available when zlib support is compiled in.checked 5 Oct 2026
Deployment
The site describes a stand-alone static binary for client/server monitoring configurations.checked 5 Oct 2026
Digest algorithms
The site lists MD5, SHA-1, RIPEMD-160, Tiger, CRC32, SHA-256, SHA-512 and Whirlpool among its supported message digest algorithms.checked 5 Oct 2026
Extended attributes
It supports POSIX ACL, SELinux, XAttrs and extended file system attributes when support is compiled in.checked 5 Oct 2026
File attributes
AIDE can check attributes including file type, permissions, inode, ownership, link name, size, block count and timestamps for inconsistencies.checked 5 Oct 2026
Latest stable release
The site lists version 0.19.4 as the current stable version, released 2026-08-30.checked 5 Oct 2026
License
AIDE is licensed under GPL-2.0.checked 5 Oct 2026
Operating systems
The site says AIDE runs on any modern Unix and lists packages for Linux distributions, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, Homebrew, MacPorts and NixOS.checked 5 Oct 2026
Origins
AIDE was originally written by Rami Lehti and Pablo Virolainen in 1999.checked 5 Oct 2026
Purpose
AIDE is a file and directory integrity checker that uses a database initialized from configuration rules to verify file integrity.checked 5 Oct 2026
Release verification
The site says source tarballs and repository tags since v0.16a1 are GnuPG-signed and recommends verifying a release signature before use.checked 5 Oct 2026
Support
The project directs usage questions and release announcements to its mailing list, and also offers an IRC discussion channel and GitHub issue tracker.checked 5 Oct 2026

The company

Founded
1999checked 28 Sep 2026

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