Vulert vs Mend.io

Vulert is a software composition analysis service that monitors an application open-source dependencies for known vulnerabilities without access to source code. Projects are added by uploading a manifest or lockfile, for example package-lock.json, yarn.lock, pom.xml, requirements.txt, go.sum, Cargo.lock, composer.lock or Gemfile.lock, or an SBOM in SPDX or CycloneDX format, which Vulert checks against its own vulnerability database. Alerts are delivered through the dashboard and email, with Jira, CI/CD, Slack or Discord and SIEM integrations listed among the platform features, and separately priced modules for Docker image scanning, open-source licence compliance and SBOM export. It is a hosted SaaS product requiring no agent, installation or repository connection, operated by Vulert LTD, a company registered in England.

Pros

• No source code access, agent or repository connection is required. The vendor states that only metadata such as SBOMs and manifests is analysed, which can suit teams whose code cannot leave the organisation.
• Pricing figures are published on the website rather than quote-only, starting at $20 per month, with a $0 evaluation tier and a stated 30-day free trial.
• The public scanner runs without signup, so detection output on a real manifest can be inspected before any purchase. The scanner page showed 493,778 vulnerabilities in the database, last updated 3 August 2026.

Things to check

Pricing: Trial $0 (1 user, up to 50 apps); Starter $20/month; Pro $45/month; Growth $125/month; Enterprises from $500/month. Annual billing lists $18, $39 and $110 for the three paid tiers. 30-day free trial stated.

Mend.io (formerly WhiteSource) is a software composition analysis platform that specializes in open-source security, license compliance, and software supply chain management. With one of the largest open-source vulnerability databases in the industry, Mend.io provides comprehensive visibility into open-source risks across dependencies, including transitive dependencies, license conflicts, and operational risk scoring. Mend.io also offers SAST capabilities through Mend SAST and automated remediation features.

Pros

• One of the most comprehensive open-source vulnerability databases available
• Strong license compliance analysis for regulated industries
• Deep transitive dependency analysis catches risks in nested dependencies
• Free developer tool enables individual developer adoption
• Strong policy engine for automated governance and compliance enforcement

Things to check

• SAST capabilities are newer and less mature than Snyk Code or dedicated SAST tools
• User interface can feel complex and overwhelming for developer workflows
• Enterprise pricing is not transparent and requires sales engagement
• Container scanning is more focused on open-source components than full image analysis
• Developer experience is less polished than Snyk's workflow integration

Pricing: Free (Mend for Developers) / Enterprise custom pricing