Side by side
AIDE vs Vigil Baseline
Both stand on file integrity monitoring software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted
AIDE provides rule-based integrity checks across a range of Unix systems and file attributes. Its optional checks and compression depend on how support is compiled in.
Visit AIDE Free plan Linux
Choose Vigil Baseline if you want a free file integrity monitor for a single Linux desktop, with a saved baseline and an audit trail for changes. Look elsewhere if you need automatic threat response, fleet management, or central reporting.
Visit Vigil BaselineThe facts
| AIDE | Vigil Baseline | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | Linux, Mac, Self-hosted | Linux |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | aide.github.io | github.com |
| On file integrity monitoring software | #4 of 37 | #19 of 37 |
AIDE: what it does well
- Free software under GPL-2.0.
- Checks a broad set of file attributes.
- Supports multiple message digest algorithms.
- Configuration rules can include or exclude paths.
- Project offers mailing list, IRC, and issue tracker.
What to know first
- Attribute checks can depend on compiled-in support.
- Gzip database compression requires zlib support.
- Real-time alerts are not supported.
Vigil Baseline: what it does well
- Free under GPL v3.0 for most users.
- Records file metadata alongside hashes in a known-good snapshot.
- Uses fanotify with an inotify fallback.
- Keeps an HMAC-chained audit log of changes.
- Optional desktop alerts through notify-send.
What to know first
- Designed for one Linux desktop, without fleet management or central reporting.
- Does not kill, quarantine, or block files or processes.
- Older kernels rely on scheduled scans for some event types.
- Signal socket and webhook are disabled by default.
Alternatives to AIDE Alternatives to Vigil Baseline The whole list