Syft

Name: Syft
Brand: Syft

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Generate Software Bill of Materials (SBOMs) from container images and filesystems.

Developer Tools Security DevOps

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Tracked since2026

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The Bottom Line

Entry price

Free, no paid tier

Biggest pro

Comprehensive SBOM generation for diverse software components

Biggest con

Primarily a CLI tool, which might require command-line familiarity

TL;DR - Syft

Generates Software Bill of Materials (SBOMs) from various software artifacts.
Supports a wide range of packaging ecosystems and container image formats.
Integrates seamlessly with vulnerability scanners like Grype for enhanced security.

Pricing: Free forever

Best for: Individuals & startups

What is Syft?

Editorial review

Syft is a powerful CLI tool and Go library designed for generating Software Bill of Materials (SBOMs) from various sources, including container images, filesystems, and archives. It helps developers and security teams gain transparency into the components of their software, which is crucial for identifying potential vulnerabilities and ensuring compliance. This tool supports a wide array of packaging ecosystems, such as Alpine, Debian, RPM, Go, Python, Java, JavaScript, Ruby, Rust, PHP, and .NET, among many others. It also works with popular image formats like OCI, Docker, and Singularity. Syft is particularly valuable when integrated with vulnerability scanners like Grype, enabling comprehensive security analysis of software artifacts. Syft is ideal for developers, DevOps engineers, security professionals, and anyone involved in software supply chain security. It provides multiple output formats, including CycloneDX, SPDX, and Syft JSON, and can even convert between SBOM formats. Its ability to create signed SBOM attestations using the in-toto specification further enhances trust and integrity in the software supply chain.

Available on: Windows, macOS, Linux

LCLouis CorneloupUpdated May 26, 2026 · how we evaluateSourcegithub.com ↗

Pros & Cons

Pros

Comprehensive SBOM generation for diverse software components
Broad support for packaging ecosystems and image formats
Seamless integration with vulnerability scanning tools like Grype
Multiple output formats and SBOM conversion capabilities
Enhances software supply chain security with signed attestations

Cons

Primarily a CLI tool, which might require command-line familiarity
Requires integration with other tools (like Grype) for full vulnerability detection

Preview

Key Features

Generates SBOMs for container images, filesystems, and archivesSupports dozens of packaging ecosystems (e.g., Alpine, Debian, RPM, Go, Python, Java, JavaScript, Ruby, Rust, PHP, .NET)Supports OCI, Docker, and Singularity image formatsWorks seamlessly with Grype for vulnerability scanningProvides multiple output formats (CycloneDX, SPDX, Syft JSON, and more)Ability to convert between SBOM formatsCreates signed SBOM attestations using the in-toto specification

Pricing Plans

Pricing checked Jul 15, 2026

Open Source

Free

Full source code access
Apache License 2.0 license
Community support
Self-hosted

Calculate your cost View full pricing

Is Syft worth the price?

95/100

Syft's pricing is exceptionally generous, offering a fully-featured open-source solution for free.

This makes it an outstanding value compared to proprietary SBOM generation tools. It's best for individual developers, small teams, and organizations prioritizing cost-efficiency and open-source principles.

Hidden Costs & Gotchas

Requires self-hosting infrastructure

No dedicated vendor support

Integration efforts are self-managed

How Syft Compares to Competitors

Compared to commercial SBOM tools like Snyk or Mend.io, which can cost thousands annually for enterprise features, Syft stands out by offering its core functionality for free. While commercial tools offer managed services and advanced integrations, Syft provides a robust, zero-cost alternative for those willing to self-manage.

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Best Syft Alternatives

Top alternatives based on features, pricing, and user needs.

VeracodePaid

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4.1

CheckmarxPaid

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GrypeFree

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Still deciding?

Most buyers shortlist 2 or 3 tools before committing. Pull a side-by-side comparison or browse the full alternatives shortlist below.

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Syft FAQ

What types of scan targets does Syft support for generating SBOMs?

Syft can generate Software Bill of Materials (SBOMs) for various scan targets, including container images, filesystems, and archives. The documentation provides a comprehensive list of all supported targets.

Which packaging ecosystems are supported by Syft for dependency analysis?

Syft supports a wide range of packaging ecosystems, such as Alpine (apk), Debian (dpkg), RPM, Go, Python, Java, JavaScript, Ruby, Rust, PHP, and .NET. This broad support allows for detailed dependency analysis across diverse projects.

How does Syft integrate with Grype for vulnerability detection?

Syft works seamlessly with Grype, a vulnerability scanner, to enhance security analysis. After generating an SBOM with Syft, the output can be fed into Grype for effective vulnerability detection.

What output formats are available for the SBOMs generated by Syft?

Syft supports multiple output formats for SBOMs, including CycloneDX, SPDX, and its own Syft JSON format. It also offers the capability to convert between different SBOM formats.

Can Syft create signed SBOM attestations?

Yes, Syft can create signed SBOM attestations. This functionality is achieved by utilizing the in-toto specification, providing a verifiable record of the SBOM's integrity.

What image formats can Syft process when generating SBOMs from container images?

Syft is compatible with several popular image formats, including OCI, Docker, and Singularity. This ensures broad applicability when analyzing containerized applications.

Source: github.com

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