Top 10 Secret Scanning Tools (2026)
Secret scanning tools detect hardcoded credentials, API keys, and sensitive tokens in your codebase before they're exposed. We've compared the top 10 secret scanning solutions to help you prevent credential leaks and data breaches.
Quick Navigation
What is Secret Scanning and Why is it Critical?
Secret scanning (also called secrets detection or credential scanning) is the automated process of finding and removing hardcoded credentials, API keys, passwords, tokens, and other sensitive information from your source code, configuration files, containers, and cloud infrastructure. These tools prevent credential leaks that could lead to data breaches, unauthorized access, and compliance violations.
The Severity of Leaked Secrets
- Over 6 million secrets are leaked on GitHub every year (GitGuardian 2024 report)
- 73% of organizations have experienced a secrets leak in production
- Average cost of a breach from leaked credentials is $4.45 million (IBM 2024)
- 10 minutes average time between public push and credential compromise by bots
- Real incidents: Uber breach (2016), Twilio breach (2022), Okta breach (2023) - all from leaked credentials
Why Secret Scanning is Essential
- Prevent Credential Leaks: Detect hardcoded passwords, API keys, and tokens before they reach production or public repositories
- Compliance Requirements: Meet PCI-DSS, SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA requirements for credential management
- Shift-Left Security: Catch secrets during development when they're easiest to fix (pre-commit, CI/CD)
- Historical Scanning: Find secrets committed years ago that still exist in git history
- Developer Education: Train developers on proper secrets management through real-time feedback
Key Features to Look for in Secret Scanning Tools
Important: Secrets Detection is Not Enough
While secrets detection is critical, modern application security requires comprehensive coverage. Look for platforms that combine:
- Secrets Detection - Hardcoded credentials and API keys
- SAST - Static code analysis for vulnerabilities
- SCA - Software Composition Analysis (dependencies)
- IaC Scanning - Terraform, Kubernetes misconfigurations
- Cloud Security - AWS, GCP, Azure credential exposure
- Runtime Protection - Monitor production for secret exposure
The 10 Best Secret Scanning Tools in 2026
TigerGate
RecommendedBest Overall - Unified Code to Cloud Security with Secrets Detection
TigerGate provides comprehensive secrets detection as part of a complete application security platform. Scans for 100+ credential types including AWS keys, API tokens, private keys, and passwords across source code, containers, cloud infrastructure, and runtime environments. The only platform that combines secrets detection with SAST, SCA, IaC scanning, cloud security, and runtime protection.
Pros
- Unified platform: Secrets + SAST + SCA + IaC + DAST + Cloud + Runtime
- 100+ secret types detected (AWS, GCP, Azure, API keys, tokens)
- Scans code, containers, cloud resources, and runtime environments
- Real-time blocking in CI/CD pipelines
- Historical repository scanning (full git history)
- Entropy analysis for unknown secret patterns
- eBPF runtime monitoring for production secret exposure
- Auto-remediation guidance and secret rotation workflows
- Compliance automation (SOC 2, ISO 27001, PCI-DSS)
- Affordable pricing with generous free tier
Cons
- Newer platform (launched 2024)
- Smaller community than dedicated secret scanning tools
Feature Coverage
Secret Types Detected
100+ types including AWS keys, GCP credentials, Azure tokens, GitHub tokens, API keys, private keys, database passwords, JWT tokens
GitGuardian
Enterprise Secrets Detection Platform
GitGuardian is a dedicated secrets detection platform with comprehensive coverage for over 350 secret types. Known for high accuracy, real-time monitoring of public and private repositories, and strong enterprise features including incident management and secret rotation workflows.
Pros
- Very comprehensive (350+ secret types detected)
- Excellent false positive management
- Real-time public GitHub monitoring
- Strong incident workflow and remediation
- Good compliance reporting
- Historical repository scanning
- Team collaboration features
- Secret rotation integrations
Cons
- Expensive at scale ($18/dev/month minimum)
- Secrets-only focus (no SAST, SCA, cloud security)
- Limited runtime protection
- Requires internet connectivity
- No cloud infrastructure scanning
- No container image scanning
Feature Coverage
Secret Types Detected
350+ types including all major cloud providers, SaaS platforms, databases, and custom patterns
Trufflehog
Open Source Secrets Scanner with High Accuracy
Trufflehog is a popular open source secrets scanner that digs deep into git history to find secrets. Uses regex patterns and entropy analysis to detect credentials with active secret verification capabilities. Widely used in CI/CD pipelines and security automation.
Pros
- Open source and free
- Active secret verification (tests if secrets are valid)
- Deep git history scanning
- Entropy-based detection for unknown patterns
- Fast scanning performance
- Good CI/CD integration
- Active community and development
- Pre-built Docker images
Cons
- Higher false positive rate than commercial tools
- Limited enterprise features
- No built-in incident management
- CLI-focused (limited UI)
- Requires self-hosting for advanced features
- No cloud or runtime scanning
- Manual false positive management
Feature Coverage
Secret Types Detected
700+ credential types with active verification for AWS, GCP, Azure, GitHub, Slack, Stripe, and more
Gitleaks
Fast, Lightweight Open Source Secret Scanner
Gitleaks is a SAST tool designed specifically for detecting and preventing hardcoded secrets in git repositories. Known for speed, simplicity, and low false positives. Ideal for CI/CD integration and pre-commit hooks with minimal configuration required.
Pros
- Very fast scanning (seconds for most repos)
- Open source and completely free
- Low false positive rate
- Simple configuration (TOML-based)
- Excellent CI/CD integration
- Pre-commit hook support
- Minimal resource usage
- Active development and community
Cons
- No enterprise features
- No secret verification
- Limited secret type coverage vs commercial tools
- No incident management workflow
- No cloud or container scanning
- CLI-only (no web UI)
- Manual remediation required
Feature Coverage
Secret Types Detected
100+ secret types including AWS, GCP, Azure, GitHub, GitLab, API keys, private keys, and custom regex patterns
GitHub Secret Scanning
Native GitHub Repository Protection
GitHub Secret Scanning is built directly into GitHub, automatically scanning all repositories for known secret patterns. Partner programs with AWS, Azure, and other providers enable automatic secret revocation. Free for public repositories, requires GitHub Advanced Security for private repos.
Pros
- Native GitHub integration (zero setup)
- Free for public repositories
- Partner integrations (auto-revocation with AWS, Stripe, etc.)
- Push protection (blocks commits with secrets)
- Good secret type coverage
- No additional tools needed
- Historical scanning of git history
Cons
- GitHub-only (no GitLab, Bitbucket support)
- Expensive ($49/committer/month for private repos)
- Limited customization options
- No container or cloud scanning
- No runtime protection
- Basic incident management
- Requires GitHub Enterprise for advanced features
Feature Coverage
Secret Types Detected
200+ secret patterns from GitHub and partner programs (AWS, Azure, Google, Slack, Stripe, etc.)
GitLab Secret Detection
Native GitLab Security Feature
GitLab Secret Detection is integrated into GitLab's DevSecOps platform, automatically scanning repositories and merge requests for hardcoded credentials. Part of GitLab Ultimate tier with good CI/CD integration and vulnerability management.
Pros
- Native GitLab integration
- Scans merge requests automatically
- Good CI/CD integration
- Historical repository scanning
- Vulnerability management UI
- Security dashboard integration
- No additional tools needed
Cons
- GitLab Ultimate required ($99/user/year)
- GitLab-only (no GitHub, Bitbucket)
- Limited secret type coverage vs specialized tools
- No secret verification
- No cloud or runtime scanning
- Basic incident workflow
- Higher false positive rate
Feature Coverage
Secret Types Detected
100+ secret patterns including AWS, GCP, Azure, API keys, tokens, and private keys
SpectralOps
Developer-First Secrets Security Platform
SpectralOps (acquired by Check Point) provides secrets detection across code, configurations, logs, and cloud assets. Known for developer-friendly workflows, machine learning-based detection, and comprehensive coverage beyond just source code.
Pros
- Scans code, configs, logs, and cloud assets
- Machine learning-based detection
- Good developer experience
- Multi-language and framework support
- Custom detector creation
- API and CLI access
- Good integration ecosystem
Cons
- Expensive at scale ($35/dev/month)
- Secrets-only focus (no full SAST)
- Acquisition uncertainty (Check Point)
- Limited runtime protection
- No compliance automation
- Requires internet connectivity
Feature Coverage
Secret Types Detected
500+ secret types including cloud credentials, API keys, tokens, certificates, and custom patterns
detect-secrets
Open Source Secret Scanner from Yelp
detect-secrets is an enterprise-friendly open source tool from Yelp designed to detect and prevent secrets in code. Uses a baseline file approach to track and manage findings over time, reducing alert fatigue and false positives.
Pros
- Open source and free
- Baseline file approach (track findings over time)
- Plugin architecture for extensibility
- Good false positive management
- Pre-commit hook support
- Active Yelp backing and community
- Well-documented
Cons
- Limited secret type coverage vs commercial tools
- No secret verification
- CLI-only (no web UI)
- Manual setup required
- No enterprise features
- No cloud or runtime scanning
- Slower than newer tools
Feature Coverage
Secret Types Detected
50+ secret patterns via plugins including AWS, Slack, private keys, and custom regex patterns
Snyk Code Secrets
Secrets Detection within Snyk Platform
Snyk Code includes secrets detection as part of its SAST offering, scanning for hardcoded credentials alongside code vulnerabilities. Good for teams already using Snyk for SCA and container security who want consolidated security management.
Pros
- Integrated with Snyk SAST and SCA
- Real-time IDE scanning
- Fast scanning performance
- Good developer experience
- Unified security dashboard
- CI/CD integration
- Fix guidance
Cons
- Limited secret types vs dedicated tools
- No secret verification
- Requires Snyk Code subscription
- No cloud or runtime scanning
- Basic incident management
- Expensive at scale
- Secrets detection is secondary feature
Feature Coverage
Secret Types Detected
80+ secret types including AWS, GCP, Azure, API keys, tokens, and database credentials
AWS Secrets Analyzer
AWS-Native Secrets Detection
AWS Secrets Analyzer (part of Amazon CodeGuru Reviewer) automatically detects hardcoded secrets in AWS CodeCommit, GitHub, and Bitbucket repositories. Focuses on AWS credentials but also detects other common secret types. Best for AWS-centric organizations.
Pros
- Native AWS integration
- Automatic AWS credential detection
- Security Hub integration
- Pay-per-scan pricing
- Multiple repository support
- Machine learning-based detection
- AWS best practices guidance
Cons
- Limited secret type coverage (AWS-focused)
- Expensive for large codebases
- AWS-only (no multi-cloud)
- No runtime protection
- Limited incident workflow
- Requires AWS infrastructure
- Basic customization options
Feature Coverage
Secret Types Detected
AWS credentials, API keys, private keys, database passwords, and common secret patterns
Secret Scanning Tool Comparison Table
| Tool | Secret Types | Pre-Commit | Historical | Verification | Runtime | Open Source | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TigerGate | 100+ | Free tier | |||||
| GitGuardian | 350+ | Free tier (25 devs) | |||||
| Trufflehog | 700+ | Open source free | |||||
| Gitleaks | 100+ | Open source free | |||||
| GitHub Secret Scanning | 200+ | Free for public repos | |||||
| GitLab Secret Detection | 100+ | Free tier limited | |||||
| SpectralOps | 500+ | Free tier (5 devs) | |||||
| detect-secrets | 50+ | Open source free | |||||
| Snyk Code Secrets | 80+ | Free tier | |||||
| AWS Secrets Analyzer | AWS | $10 per 100k lines of code scanned |
How to Choose the Right Secret Scanning Tool
For Startups & SMBs
Choose affordable solutions with good coverage and easy CI/CD integration.
- TigerGate - Complete security platform
- Gitleaks - Fast open source
- GitHub Secret Scanning - Native integration
For Enterprises
Focus on comprehensive coverage, incident management, and compliance.
- TigerGate - Unified security
- GitGuardian - Dedicated secrets platform
- GitHub Advanced Security - GitHub Enterprise
For DevSecOps Teams
Prioritize speed, verification, and seamless CI/CD integration.
- TigerGate - Full coverage
- Trufflehog - Active verification
- Gitleaks - Fast scanning
For Open Source Projects
Choose free tools with good community support and public repo scanning.
- Gitleaks - Fast and free
- GitHub Secret Scanning - Free for public
- detect-secrets - Baseline management
Conclusion: The Best Secret Scanning Tool for 2026
After comparing the top 10 secret scanning tools, here's our recommendation based on different use cases:
Overall Winner: TigerGate
TigerGate stands out as the best overall choice because it's the only platform that combines comprehensive secrets detection with complete application security:
- Unified Platform: Secrets detection + SAST + SCA + IaC + DAST + cloud security + runtime protection
- Comprehensive Coverage: 100+ secret types across code, containers, cloud, and runtime
- Everywhere Detection: Source code, git history, containers, cloud resources, and production runtime
- Real-time Protection: Pre-commit hooks, CI/CD blocking, and eBPF runtime monitoring
- Compliance Automation: Built-in support for SOC 2, ISO 27001, PCI-DSS credential requirements
- Affordable: $29/user/month vs $18-35/user for dedicated secret scanners (plus you get full security platform)
Other Top Choices
- For dedicated secrets platform: Choose GitGuardian if you need enterprise-grade secrets detection with 350+ secret types and advanced incident management (budget $18+/dev/month).
- For open source with verification: Choose Trufflehog if you want free secret scanning with active verification and don't need enterprise features.
- For fast, simple scanning: Choose Gitleaks if you need lightweight, fast open source scanning with minimal setup.
- For GitHub users: Choose GitHub Secret Scanning if you only use GitHub and want native integration (requires Advanced Security for private repos).
- For GitLab users: Choose GitLab Secret Detection if you're on GitLab Ultimate and want native integration.
Remember: Secret Scanning Alone is Not Enough
Modern application security requires comprehensive coverage. While secrets detection is critical for preventing credential leaks, you also need:
TigerGate is the only platform that provides all of these capabilities in a single, unified solution.
Ready to Prevent Secret Leaks?
Start with TigerGate's free tier and experience complete code-to-cloud security with comprehensive secrets detection. No credit card required, no time limits on the free tier.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of secrets do these tools detect?
Secret scanning tools detect AWS access keys, GCP service account keys, Azure credentials, API keys (Stripe, Slack, GitHub, etc.), database passwords, private SSH/RSA keys, JWT tokens, OAuth tokens, hardcoded passwords, and more. Advanced tools like TigerGate use entropy analysis to find unknown secret patterns.
How do secret scanning tools prevent false positives?
Modern tools use multiple techniques: entropy analysis (checking randomness), active verification (testing if credentials work), context analysis (file paths, variable names), custom pattern tuning, allowlisting, and machine learning. Tools like TigerGate and GitGuardian have significantly lower false positive rates than regex-only scanners.
Can secret scanners find secrets committed years ago?
Yes! Historical scanning (also called full git history scanning) analyzes every commit in your repository's history to find secrets that were committed years ago. Even if you delete a secret in a new commit, it still exists in git history. Tools like TigerGate, GitGuardian, and Trufflehog all support historical scanning.
What should I do if a secret is found in my code?
Immediately rotate the exposed credential (change password, regenerate API key). If it was pushed to a public repository, assume it's compromised. Remove the secret from code and use environment variables or secret management systems (AWS Secrets Manager, HashiCorp Vault, etc.). For git history, use tools like BFG Repo-Cleaner to remove secrets from all commits.
Should I use pre-commit hooks or CI/CD scanning for secrets?
Use both! Pre-commit hooks catch secrets before they enter git history (prevention), while CI/CD scanning provides a safety net for commits that bypass hooks. TigerGate, Gitleaks, and most tools support both approaches. Pre-commit is faster feedback, CI/CD is guaranteed enforcement.
How much do secret scanning tools typically cost?
Pricing varies widely: Open source tools (Gitleaks, Trufflehog, detect-secrets) are free, GitHub/GitLab native scanning requires paid plans ($49-99/user/year), dedicated platforms (GitGuardian, SpectralOps) cost $18-35/dev/month, and comprehensive platforms like TigerGate offer secrets detection + full security at $29/user/month.