Side by side
Retire.js vs Safety CLI
Both stand on software composition analysis software. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan APIExtensionLinux+4
Retire.js offers command-line, browser, and integration-based scanning, along with CycloneDX SBOM generation. Note the deprecated browser and build-tool components, and the CLI’s default exit code when vulnerabilities are found.
Visit Retire.js Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted+1
Safety CLI combines dependency scanning, risk prioritization, remediation guidance, and SBOM generation. Its free plan has clear usage limits, while paid plans add proprietary vulnerability data and broader capacity.
Visit Safety CLIThe facts
| Retire.js | Safety CLI | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Not published |
| Runs on | API, Extension, Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Web, Windows | Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Team: $25 a month |
| Plans published | 1 | 3 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | retirejs.github.io | getsafety.com |
| On software composition analysis software | #19 of 65 | #23 of 65 |
Retire.js: what it does well
- Scans web apps and Node.js projects.
- Can scan websites in headless mode.
- Provides Burp and OWASP ZAP integrations.
- Generates CycloneDX SBOM output.
- Free and distributed under Apache License 2.0.
What to know first
- CLI requires Node.js and npm.
- Firefox extension is deprecated.
- Chrome extension is not officially available in its store.
- Grunt plugin and Gulp task are deprecated.
Safety CLI: what it does well
- Reachability analysis prioritizes code risk
- Scans development, CI/CD, and production
- Integrates with GitHub, GitLab, Docker, Bitbucket
- Supports SBOM generation
- Runs on Linux, macOS, Windows, and self-hosted deployments
What to know first
- Free plan limited to one codebase
- Free plan allows 100 monthly scans
- Free plan is non-commercial
- Team starts at $25 a month
Alternatives to Retire.js Alternatives to Safety CLI The whole list
