Cosign vs GitGuardian: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Cosign and GitGuardian comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Cosign
Code signing and transparency for containers and binaries using Sigstore.
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • You need version control features specifically
- • Simplifies code signing for containers and binaries.
- • Utilizes Sigstore's keyless signing and transparency logs.
GitGuardian
Secrets detection
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.6/10 vs 0.0/10)
- • You need ide & code editors features specifically
- • GitGuardian is a secrets detection platform that scans code for leaked credentials
- • It monitors repositories and pipelines to prevent API keys and passwords from leaking
| At a Glance |  Cosign |  GitGuardian |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Free + Paid |
Best For | Version Control | IDE & Code Editors |
Rating | —/100 | 86/100 |
| Feature | Cosign | GitGuardian |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | — | 86 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Version ControlCI/CD | IDE & Code EditorsVulnerability Scanning |
How Cosign and GitGuardian Compare
Cosign
Code signing and transparency for containers and binaries using Sigstore.
Free
GitGuardian
Secrets detection
Free tier available · 86/100 score
Cosign is a version control tool. GitGuardian is in ide & code editors.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Cosign is free. GitGuardian is freemium.
Go with: Cosign
Want the highest-rated option?
GitGuardian scores 86/100. Cosign is unrated.
Go with: GitGuardian
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: GitGuardian
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Cosign is free. GitGuardian is freemium. Go with Cosign if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Cosign is a version control tool. GitGuardian is in ide & code editors. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Not all tools have been rated yet.
Key Takeaways
GitGuardian
- Higher score: 86/100 vs unrated
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Cosign
- Completely free
- Better fit for version control
The Bottom Line
GitGuardian (86/100) is our pick. That said, Cosign is free — hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cosign or GitGuardian better?
GitGuardian scores 86/100 in our evaluation. Cosign is free and GitGuardian is freemium.
What are Cosign and GitGuardian used for?
Cosign: Code signing and transparency for containers and binaries using Sigstore.. GitGuardian: Secrets detection.
What does Cosign cost vs GitGuardian?
Cosign is completely free. GitGuardian is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.