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tfsec

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Security scanner for your Terraform code.

SecurityDeveloper ToolsCI/CDInfrastructure as Code
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Tracked since2026
0 reviews tracked

The Bottom Line

Entry price

Free, no paid tier

Biggest pro

Terraform security scanner

Biggest con

Terraform specific only

TL;DR - tfsec

  • Scans Terraform code for security vulnerabilities.
  • Identifies misconfigurations before deployment.
  • Integrates into CI/CD pipelines for proactive security.
Pricing: Free forever
Best for: Individuals & startups

What is tfsec?

Editorial review
tfsec is a static analysis security scanner designed for Terraform code. It helps identify potential security vulnerabilities and misconfigurations in your infrastructure-as-code before deployment. By integrating tfsec into your development workflow, you can proactively address security issues, ensuring your cloud infrastructure is configured securely from the start. This tool is ideal for developers, DevOps engineers, and security teams working with Terraform. It provides clear, actionable feedback on security risks, helping to enforce security best practices and reduce the attack surface of cloud deployments. tfsec supports a wide range of cloud providers and security checks, making it a versatile addition to any secure development lifecycle.
how we evaluateSourceaquasecurity.github.io ↗

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Terraform security scanner
  • Static analysis for IaC
  • Many built-in rules
  • CI/CD integration ready
  • Open-source and free

Cons

  • Terraform specific only
  • False positives possible
  • Rule customization needed
  • Now part of Trivy (Aqua Security)
  • Migration to Trivy recommended

Key Features

Terraform securityStatic analysisCustom rulesCI/CD integrationMultiple formatsOpen source

Pricing Plans

Pricing checked Aug 27, 2026

Free

  • Terraform security scanning
  • Static analysis
  • CI/CD integration
  • Custom rules
  • MIT license
  • Open source
Calculate your costView full pricing

Is tfsec worth the price?

100/100

tfsec offers an extremely generous pricing model, as it is entirely free and open-source.

This makes it an exceptionally fair and accessible tool for security scanning. It's best for individual developers, small teams, and organizations looking for a cost-effective and flexible security solution.

Hidden Costs & Gotchas

No direct hidden costs as it's free

Potential for self-hosting infrastructure costs

Time investment for custom rule development

How tfsec Compares to Competitors

Compared to commercial alternatives like Bridgecrew (now Prisma Cloud) or Checkov, tfsec stands out by being completely free. While Bridgecrew offers a free tier with limited scans and Checkov is also open-source, tfsec's dedicated focus and community support for Terraform security make it a strong contender without any financial barrier.

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Best tfsec Alternatives

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

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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.

tfsec vs TrivyHead-to-head: features, pricing, who winstfsec vs InfracostHead-to-head: features, pricing, who winstfsec vs TerrascanHead-to-head: features, pricing, who wins

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tfsec FAQ

How does tfsec help secure cloud infrastructure?

tfsec functions as a static analysis security scanner for Terraform code, identifying potential security vulnerabilities and misconfigurations before deployment. It helps ensure cloud infrastructure is configured securely from the start by providing actionable feedback on security risks.

Which teams benefit most from using tfsec?

tfsec is ideal for developers, DevOps engineers, and security teams who work with Terraform. It helps these teams enforce security best practices and reduce the attack surface of cloud deployments.

How is tfsec priced?

tfsec is free to use, as it is an open-source tool. There is no paid plan required to access its features.

What kind of limitations should users be aware of when using tfsec?

A primary limitation is that tfsec is specific to Terraform code only. Users might also encounter false positives, and some rule customization may be needed for specific environments.

Can tfsec be integrated into existing development workflows?

Yes, tfsec is designed to be CI/CD integration ready. This allows for proactive identification and addressing of security issues within the development pipeline.

How does tfsec compare to Checkov?

tfsec is a static analysis security scanner specifically for Terraform code, offering many built-in rules. While Checkov also scans infrastructure-as-code, tfsec focuses solely on Terraform for identifying vulnerabilities and misconfigurations.

Why is migration to Trivy recommended for tfsec users?

Migration to Trivy is recommended because tfsec is now part of Trivy, a broader security scanner by Aqua Security. This suggests that future development and comprehensive security features will be integrated within the Trivy ecosystem.

Source: aquasecurity.github.io

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