# detect-secrets

detect-secrets is a Secrets Detection product. It runs on-premises. Pricing is free.

A pre-commit security tool that scans source code repositories to detect and prevent secrets like API keys, passwords, and credentials from being committed to version control systems.

Checked October 2026.

## What is detect-secrets?

detect-secrets is a security tool that scans source code repositories to identify and prevent sensitive information from being committed to version control systems. The tool operates as a pre-commit hook and integrates into development workflows to automatically examine code before commits occur.

The tool uses pattern matching and heuristic analysis to detect various types of secrets including API keys, database credentials, passwords, AWS credentials, private keys, and database connection strings. It supports multiple programming languages and can be configured with custom patterns to identify organization-specific sensitive data.

detect-secrets generates baseline files that track known secrets and exclude them from future scans, allowing development teams to manage existing secrets while preventing new ones from being introduced. The tool provides audit capabilities that enable users to review detected secrets and classify them as legitimate findings or false positives.

The tool offers command-line interface functionality and can be integrated into continuous integration pipelines. It includes configurable rules to minimize false positives and maintain accuracy across different development projects and environments.

Tags: Security Scanning, DevSecOps, Source Code Analysis, Secret Detection, CI/CD

## Where it fits in your security program (NIST CSF 2.0)

- [Protect](https://cybersectools.com/guides/building-protect-program-small-team): helps you prevent attacks and keep data safe.

## Quick facts

- Category: [Application Security](https://cybersectools.com/categories/application-security) · [Secrets Detection](https://cybersectools.com/categories/secrets-detection)
- Deployment: On-Premises
- Company size fit: Startup, SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise
- Pricing model: Free
- GitHub stars: 4,228
- Website: github.com

## Where it ranks

No shortlist covers this product's category yet. The closest is [Best Application Security Solutions for Business](https://cybersectools.com/shortlists/best-application-security-solutions).

## detect-secrets FAQ

### What is detect-secrets?

detect-secrets is a product in the Secrets Detection category. It covers Security Scanning, DevSecOps and Source Code Analysis.

### What is the pricing for detect-secrets?

detect-secrets is free. Download and setup instructions are at https://github.com/Yelp/detect-secrets/.

### What are alternatives to detect-secrets?

Alternatives to detect-secrets listed on CybersecTools:

1. [Secrets Catcher](https://cybersectools.com/tools/secrets-catcher) - Scans corporate infra for hardcoded credentials, tokens & sensitive data leaks. (Commercial)
2. [Datadog Code Security Secret Scanning](https://cybersectools.com/tools/datadog-code-security-secret-scanning) - Scans code repositories and runtime environments for exposed secrets and credentials (Commercial)
3. [Apiiro Secrets Security](https://cybersectools.com/tools/apiiro-secrets-security) - Detects, validates, and remediates secrets in code and pipelines (Commercial)
4. [Opsera GitCustodian](https://cybersectools.com/tools/opsera-gitcustodian) - Scans source code repositories for exposed secrets and sensitive data (Commercial)
5. [Spectral Stop leaks at the source!](https://cybersectools.com/tools/spectral-stop-leaks-at-the-source) - Prevents secrets & sensitive data leaks in code at source (Commercial)

Compare all detect-secrets alternatives at [https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/detect-secrets](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/detect-secrets)

### What deployment and organization size does detect-secrets fit?

detect-secrets is available as on-premises software. It is listed for startups, small businesses, mid-market companies and enterprises. It is free.

## Compare detect-secrets with similar solutions

- [detect-secrets vs Secrets Catcher](https://cybersectools.com/compare/detect-secrets-vs-secrets-catcher)
- [detect-secrets vs Datadog Code Security Secret Scanning](https://cybersectools.com/compare/datadog-code-security-secret-scanning-vs-detect-secrets)
- [detect-secrets vs Apiiro Secrets Security](https://cybersectools.com/compare/apiiro-secrets-security-vs-detect-secrets)

All alternatives to detect-secrets: [/alternatives/detect-secrets](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/detect-secrets)

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Source: https://cybersectools.com/tools/detect-secrets

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More on detect-secrets: 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=product-md