Horusec

Horusec is a free, open-source tool for finding security flaws in source code during development. It suits teams that want configurable scans in a CLI or CI/CD workflow, especially across its broad language set. Its command-line and editor options are useful, but the Docker requirement and archived status of its platform components temper the appeal.

Overview

Horusec targets source code and combines 20 security tools to analyze 18 languages, from Java and Python to Terraform, Kubernetes, Shell and Nginx. It also searches project files and Git history for exposed keys and other security problems. The breadth makes it relevant to teams working across varied stacks, though running the full toolset depends on Docker.

Analysis is configurable through CLI resources, and the project includes software composition analysis (SCA) and fix guidance. Those capabilities put it beyond a narrow secret scanner, while the supplied details do not establish how fix guidance is presented.

For other options, see Static Application Security Testing Software.

Key features

CLI, CI/CD and editor workflows

Developers can run Horusec from its CLI, DevSecOps teams can place it in CI/CD pipelines, and a Visual Studio Code extension supports project analysis. That range suits teams that want security checks near development rather than only in a separate service. Docker is required for Horusec to run with all its tools; disabling it removes much of the analysis power, a consequential trade-off for environments that cannot accommodate Docker.

Vulnerability management

Horusec-Web offers vulnerability dashboards, false-positive control, authorization tokens and vulnerability updates. The Horusec Platform connects the CLI to web services for viewing and managing findings, with native Horusec, LDAP and Keycloak authentication. It requires RabbitMQ and PostgreSQL, adding operational dependencies for self-hosted teams. More importantly, the platform repository was archived on March 19, 2025 and is read-only, so teams should weigh that status before building their process around its web services.

The project says Zup open-source projects follow OpenSSF Security Scorecard and Best Practices Badge recommendations. Questions and ideas go through GitHub Issues and the Zup Open Source Forum.

Pricing

Horusec's Open source plan costs nothing and is offered under Apache License 2.0. It includes CLI and platform components, making it a fit for teams comfortable operating open-source software themselves. There are no paid tiers or plan quotas in the supplied pricing; the practical cost is the Docker and platform infrastructure needed for the desired setup.

Platforms

Horusec supports API, extensions, Linux, macOS, self-hosted, web and Windows. The Visual Studio Code extension and CLI/CI/CD workflows are its clearest developer-facing options; platform use brings the additional RabbitMQ and PostgreSQL requirements.

Who it's for

Horusec is best suited to development and DevSecOps teams seeking a free, configurable source scanner across multiple languages, with secret checks that include Git history and the option to integrate scans into CI/CD. It is less suitable for teams that need a maintained vulnerability-management platform or cannot run Docker for comprehensive analysis.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Broad language coverage and 20 simultaneous security tools can address mixed-language codebases with one tool.
• Pros: CLI configuration, CI/CD support and a Visual Studio Code extension offer several ways to put analysis into developer workflows.
• Pros: Free Apache-licensed CLI and platform components lower the licensing barrier, while secret detection also checks Git history.
• Cons: Docker is needed for the full toolset; turning it off sacrifices much of the analysis power.
• Cons: The platform repository is archived and read-only, a material concern for teams relying on its dashboards and vulnerability management.
• Cons: Self-hosted platform deployment depends on RabbitMQ and PostgreSQL, increasing setup obligations.

Alternatives

Skylos is worth considering for a freemium option with local CLI scans that need no login, plus a cloud free tier limited to one project, 10 stored scans and seven-day history.

Puma Scan offers a free Community plan and a $299 a year End User plan; consider it if those plan terms suit your needs.

Semgrep Code has a free edition covering code and supply chain for up to 10 repositories and 10 contributors, with 60 AI credits; consider it if those caps and a paid product's free tier fit your team.

Snyk Open Source may suit teams focused on SCA, with a free monthly plan for five projects and a Team plan at $25 a month for up to 10 developers.

Flawfinder is another free, GPL-2.0+ open-source option.

OpenGrep is a free open-source static analysis engine with a CLI.

Veracode DAST is a paid option for web applications and APIs, with custom pricing and a live demo available on request.

Black Duck Coverity uses custom enterprise pricing based on team size and codebase, making it an option for teams seeking a quote-based plan.

For a different software category, see UML Modeling Software.

Verdict

Choose Horusec if you want a no-cost, configurable scanner with broad language coverage and CLI or CI/CD use, and can run Docker. Look elsewhere if your workflow depends on an actively maintained web platform: the Horusec Platform repository is archived and read-only.