# Datadog Code Security Secret Scanning vs Gitleaks: side-by-side comparison (2026)

[Datadog Code Security Secret Scanning](https://cybersectools.com/tools/datadog-code-security-secret-scanning) is a commercial [secrets detection](https://cybersectools.com/categories/secrets-detection) solution by [Datadog](https://cybersectools.com/companies/datadog). [Gitleaks](https://cybersectools.com/tools/gitleaks) is a free [secrets detection](https://cybersectools.com/categories/secrets-detection) solution. Features, integrations, deployment and the company behind each one, side by side.

## Side-by-side comparison

| | Datadog Code Security Secret Scanning | Gitleaks |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Commercial | Free |
| Category | Secrets Detection | Secrets Detection |
| Verified | No | No |
| Deployment type | Cloud | On-Premises |
| Company size fit | SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise | Startup, SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise |
| GitHub stars | – | 23,170 |
| Last commit | – | Aug 2025 |
| Company | Datadog | – |
| Headquarters | – | – |

### Use cases and capabilities

| | Datadog Code Security Secret Scanning | Gitleaks |
|---|---|---|
| CI/CD | Yes | – |
| DevSecOps | Yes | – |
| Secret Detection | Yes | Yes |
| Secrets Management | Yes | – |
| Passwords | – | Yes |
| SAST | – | Yes |

### Core features

**Datadog Code Security Secret Scanning**

8 features listed. Sign in on the page to see them.

**Gitleaks**

No features listed.

## Which one fits you

Based on what each listing shows: deployment, company size, price and open source.

- [Datadog Code Security Secret Scanning](https://cybersectools.com/tools/datadog-code-security-secret-scanning) fits if you want a cloud product.
- [Gitleaks](https://cybersectools.com/tools/gitleaks) fits if you need to run it on your own servers, you are a startup, you need a free product and you want an open-source product.

## Datadog Code Security Secret Scanning vs Gitleaks FAQ

Common questions when comparing Datadog Code Security Secret Scanning vs Gitleaks for secrets detection.

### What is the difference between Datadog Code Security Secret Scanning and Gitleaks?

**Datadog Code Security Secret Scanning**: Scans code repositories and runtime environments for exposed secrets and credentials, built by Datadog.

**Gitleaks**: Gitleaks is a SAST tool for detecting and preventing hardcoded secrets in git repos.

The table above shows where their features, integrations, deployment and company size fit differ.

### Who makes Datadog Code Security Secret Scanning and Gitleaks?

**Datadog Code Security Secret Scanning** is made by Datadog. **Gitleaks** is open-source with 23,170 GitHub stars. The vendor behind a product decides its roadmap, support, and longevity, so check each company's profile before you commit.

### Is Datadog Code Security Secret Scanning a good alternative to Gitleaks?

Often, yes. Datadog Code Security Secret Scanning and Gitleaks are both Secrets Detection products, and both cover Secret Detection. Key differences: Datadog Code Security Secret Scanning is Commercial while Gitleaks is Free, Gitleaks is open-source. Use the table above to see where features, deployment and company size fit differ.

## Related comparisons

- [Datadog Code Security Secret Scanning vs Spectral Stop leaks at the source!](https://cybersectools.com/compare/datadog-code-security-secret-scanning-vs-spectral-stop-leaks-at-the-source)
- [Datadog Code Security Secret Scanning vs Apiiro Secrets Security](https://cybersectools.com/compare/apiiro-secrets-security-vs-datadog-code-security-secret-scanning)
- [Datadog Code Security Secret Scanning vs Secrets Catcher](https://cybersectools.com/compare/datadog-code-security-secret-scanning-vs-secrets-catcher)
- [Gitleaks vs Spectral Stop leaks at the source!](https://cybersectools.com/compare/gitleaks-vs-spectral-stop-leaks-at-the-source)
- [Gitleaks vs Apiiro Secrets Security](https://cybersectools.com/compare/apiiro-secrets-security-vs-gitleaks)
- [Gitleaks vs Secrets Catcher](https://cybersectools.com/compare/gitleaks-vs-secrets-catcher)

## Alternatives to each

- [See all Datadog Code Security Secret Scanning alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/datadog-code-security-secret-scanning)
- [See all Gitleaks alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/gitleaks)

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Source: https://cybersectools.com/compare/datadog-code-security-secret-scanning-vs-gitleaks

For AI agents: each product above has its own Markdown page (add .md to its URL, for example https://cybersectools.com/tools/datadog-code-security-secret-scanning.md). Every CybersecTools shortlist is listed at https://cybersectools.com/shortlists.md.

More on Datadog Code Security Secret Scanning and Gitleaks: funding, momentum, hiring and news, plus the full product and company record, are available through the Mandos MCP Server (paid plans), which connects to AI assistants: https://mandos.io/mcp?utm_source=cybersectools.com&utm_medium=compare-md