Alternatives to composer audit
composer audit ships free with Composer 2.4+ and checks installed versions against Packagist's Security Advisory API (FriendsOfPHP advisories plus the GitHub Advisory Database). It reports CVSS severity where an advisory carries one, but no EPSS or CISA KEV data. GeekWala covers Packagist plus 7 other ecosystems via OSV, adding EPSS, CISA KEV and a dashboard.
Just want to scan? Try the Packagist Vulnerability Scanner.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | composer audit | GeekWala |
|---|---|---|
| Vulnerability data | Packagist Security Advisory API (FriendsOfPHP + GitHub Advisory DB) | OSV + EPSS + CISA KEV |
| Prioritization Key difference | CVSS severity where available | EPSS exploit probability + CISA KEV |
| CISA KEV flagging Key difference | Yes — labeled field on every finding | |
| Installation | Bundled with Composer 2.4+ — no separate install | No install — hosted dashboard |
| Interface | CLI output only | Web dashboard + REST API |
| Ecosystems | PHP (Packagist) only | 8 ecosystems: npm, PyPI, Maven, Go, Rust, RubyGems, NuGet, Packagist |
| CI integration | Any CI via composer audit | Yes (Pro) — plus scheduled scans |
| Scheduled / recurring scans | Not built in — schedule via CI | Yes (Pro) |
| Maintainer | Composer / Packagist team | Independent |
| Privacy | Local CLI, queries Packagist API | Package names only, no source code |
| Price | Free and open source (bundled with Composer) | Free tier + $12/mo or $99/yr Pro (flat-rate, unlimited projects) |
When to Use Each
When to use composer audit
composer audit is the right choice when:
- You already run Composer 2.4+ and want a zero-install, zero-config check
- You want advisories sourced directly from Packagist, with no third-party account
- You need a free, self-hosted tool with no external dashboard
When to use GeekWala
GeekWala is the better fit when:
- You need to prioritize by real-world exploit probability, not CVSS severity alone
- You want CISA KEV (confirmed active exploitation) flagged as its own field
- You manage projects across multiple ecosystems, not just PHP
- You want a web dashboard to share results with your team, alongside composer audit in CI
Detection vs Prioritization
EPSS Exploit Probability
composer audit's own output shows CVSS severity where the advisory carries one, with no exploit-probability signal. GeekWala layers EPSS on OSV advisory data, so exploitation probability — not just theoretical severity — drives what you fix first.
CISA KEV Alongside EPSS
composer audit does not indicate CISA KEV status — a confirmed actively-exploited CVE looks identical to a theoretical one in its report. GeekWala flags KEV entries as a separate field on every finding, ranked first.
Built to Run Alongside composer audit, Not Replace It
composer audit in your CI for zero-install, zero-cost checks on every deploy; GeekWala for cross-ecosystem, EPSS/KEV-enriched triage and a web dashboard.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is GeekWala a composer audit replacement?
Not necessarily — composer audit ships free with Composer 2.4+ and needs no separate install. GeekWala adds EPSS exploit-probability and CISA KEV enrichment for triage, plus a hosted dashboard and 7 ecosystems beyond PHP. Many teams run both.
What data source does composer audit use?
Packagist's Security Advisory API, which aggregates FriendsOfPHP/security-advisories and the GitHub Advisory Database under a Packagist Security Advisory (PKSA) ID. OSV.dev (the source GeekWala uses) also ingests GitHub Advisory Database data, so coverage overlaps substantially.
How does GeekWala prioritization differ from composer audit?
composer audit's report lists advisories with CVSS severity where the advisory carries one — it has no exploit-probability signal. GeekWala ranks the same OSV-sourced findings by CISA KEV (confirmed active exploitation) first, then EPSS score above 10% (30-day exploit probability), then severity, with EPSS breaking ties.
Can I use both composer audit and GeekWala?
Yes. Run composer audit in CI for a fast, zero-install check on every build, and use GeekWala for cross-ecosystem visibility and EPSS/KEV-based triage of what to fix first.
Is GeekWala free like composer audit?
GeekWala has a free tier with 5 projects and 50 scans per month. composer audit is fully free, bundled with Composer, with no usage limits — for PHP-only projects that never need multi-ecosystem coverage, composer audit alone may be enough.
Try GeekWala free
No credit card required. Keep composer audit in CI and add EPSS + CISA KEV prioritization on top.