Alternatives to OWASP Dependency-Check
OWASP Dependency-Check is a free CLI, Maven, Gradle and Ant scanner that matches your dependency tree against the NVD. It shows CVSS severity and flags CISA KEV entries (its analyzer is on by default) but has no EPSS. GeekWala scans the same Maven ecosystem plus 7 others via OSV, adding EPSS and a KEV-first ranking.
Just want to scan? Try the Maven Vulnerability Scanner.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | OWASP Dependency-Check | GeekWala |
|---|---|---|
| Vulnerability data | NVD + NPM Audit API + OSS Index + RetireJS + Bundler Audit | OSV + EPSS + CISA KEV |
| Prioritization Key difference | CVSS severity + CISA KEV flag (no EPSS) | EPSS exploit probability + CISA KEV |
| CISA KEV flagging | Yes (Known Exploited Vulnerability analyzer, on by default) | Yes — labeled field on every finding, ranked first |
| Interface | CLI, Maven plugin, Gradle plugin, Ant task | Web dashboard + REST API |
| Ecosystems | Java/Maven primary, some cross-ecosystem via supplemental feeds | 8 ecosystems: npm, PyPI, Maven, Go, Rust, RubyGems, NuGet, Packagist |
| CI integration | Jenkins, GitHub Actions, Azure DevOps (community) | Yes (Pro) — plus scheduled scans |
| Scheduled / recurring scans | Not built in — schedule via CI | Yes (Pro) |
| Maintainer | OWASP Foundation (community) | Independent |
| Privacy | Local CLI/plugin | Package names only, no source code |
| Price | Free and open source (Apache 2.0) | Free tier + $12/mo or $99/yr Pro (flat-rate, unlimited projects) |
When to Use Each
When to use OWASP Dependency-Check
OWASP Dependency-Check is the right choice when:
- You work primarily in Java/Maven or Gradle and want a build-tool-native plugin
- You want a zero-cost, self-hosted scanner with no external account
- You need Ant task or Jenkins-native integration in an existing enterprise Java pipeline
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 and EPSS combined into one ranked list, not just a KEV flag
- You manage projects across multiple ecosystems, not just Maven/Java
- You want a web dashboard to share results with your team, alongside Dependency-Check in CI
Detection vs Prioritization
EPSS Exploit Probability
Dependency-Check's report shows CVSS scores but no EPSS. GeekWala layers EPSS on OSV advisory data for the same Maven ecosystem, so exploitation probability — not just theoretical severity — drives what you fix first.
CISA KEV Alongside EPSS
Dependency-Check flags CISA KEV entries in its report — its Known Exploited Vulnerability analyzer is on by default. GeekWala goes further: it ranks CISA KEV first, then EPSS above 10% (30-day exploit probability), then severity, with EPSS breaking ties — and keeps KEV as a separate field on every finding.
Built to Run Alongside Dependency-Check, Not Replace It
Dependency-Check in your Maven/Gradle build for zero-cost, self-hosted CI checks; GeekWala for cross-ecosystem, EPSS/KEV-enriched triage and a web dashboard.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is GeekWala a Dependency-Check replacement?
Not necessarily — Dependency-Check is free, self-hosted, and has deep Maven/Gradle/Ant integration, so it stays useful for zero-cost CI checks. GeekWala adds EPSS exploit-probability and CISA KEV enrichment for triage, plus a hosted dashboard and 7 ecosystems beyond Java. Many teams run both.
Does OWASP Dependency-Check support ecosystems other than Java?
Its primary focus is Java/Maven, but it draws on supplemental feeds (the NPM Audit API, OSS Index, RetireJS, Bundler Audit) for some coverage of other stacks. GeekWala treats all 8 ecosystems, including Maven, as first-class with the same EPSS/KEV enrichment.
How does GeekWala prioritization differ from Dependency-Check?
Dependency-Check's report shows CVSS severity and flags CISA KEV entries, but has no EPSS at all, so everything not on KEV is ordered by CVSS alone. 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 Dependency-Check and GeekWala?
Yes. Run Dependency-Check as a Maven/Gradle build step for zero-cost, self-hosted checks on every build, and use GeekWala for cross-ecosystem visibility and EPSS/KEV-based triage of what to fix first.
Is GeekWala free like Dependency-Check?
GeekWala has a free tier with 5 projects and 50 scans per month. Dependency-Check is fully free and open source (Apache 2.0) with no usage limits — for Java-only projects that never need multi-ecosystem coverage or exploit-probability prioritization, Dependency-Check alone may be enough.
Try GeekWala free
No credit card required. Keep Dependency-Check in your Maven build and add EPSS + CISA KEV prioritization on top.