Best alternative to GitGuardian

middleBrick positions itself as a focused alternative to tools that emphasize secret scanning and developer-side pre-commit checks. The scanner is black-box: it requires no agents, SDKs, or code access, and it works with any stack. You submit an API endpoint URL and receive a risk score from A to F with prioritized remediation guidance. This approach suits teams that want fast, external validation of exposed surfaces rather than secret monitoring integrated into the development workflow.

Compared with GitGuardian, which centers on detecting leaked credentials in code and history, middleBrick emphasizes runtime API behavior and OWASP API Top 10 coverage. GitGuardian remains relevant for teams prioritizing secret hygiene in repositories; however, for organizations focused on API security posture and compliance evidence, middleBrick provides targeted scanning and framework mappings for PCI-DSS 4.0, SOC 2 Type II, and OWASP API Top 10 (2023).

Scans are black-box and read-only. The engine sends GET and HEAD requests, with text-only POST allowed for LLM probes. Destructive payloads are never sent, and private IPs, localhost, and cloud metadata endpoints are blocked at multiple layers. Scan duration is under one minute per endpoint, making frequent assessment practical.

The tool parses OpenAPI 3.0, 3.1, and Swagger 2.0 specifications, resolving recursive $ref references. It cross-references spec definitions against runtime behavior to surface undefined security schemes, deprecated operations, and missing pagination. The scanner validates controls relevant to compliance activities without claiming audit or certification outcomes.

Coverage spans 12 categories aligned to OWASP API Top 10 (2023), including authentication bypass, JWT misconfigurations, BOLA and IDOR, BFLA and privilege escalation, property authorization over-exposure, input validation issues, rate limiting, data exposure, encryption misconfigurations, SSRF indicators, inventory weaknesses, and LLM/AI security probes. Each finding includes contextual evidence and remediation suggestions.

For compliance, findings map directly to PCI-DSS 4.0, SOC 2 Type II, and OWASP API Top 10 (2023). For other frameworks, the scanner supports audit evidence collection and helps you prepare for security reviews by surfacing findings relevant to control validation, without asserting compliance guarantees.

Authenticated scans are available from the Starter tier onward, supporting Bearer tokens, API keys, Basic auth, and cookies. Domain verification is enforced through DNS TXT records or an HTTP well-known file, ensuring only the domain owner can scan with credentials. The scanner forwards a restricted allowlist of headers, limiting exposure during testing.

Safety measures include blocking destructive methods, restricting outbound connections, and retaining no customer data beyond the retention window. Scan data is deletable on demand and purged within 30 days of cancellation. The design avoids any claims that findings equate to a full security audit or pentest.

The Web Dashboard centralizes scan management, report viewing, score trend tracking, and branded compliance PDF downloads. The CLI enables local execution with JSON or text output, and a GitHub Action can gate CI/CD pipelines when scores drop below configured thresholds. An MCP server allows integration with AI coding assistants, and a programmatic API supports custom workflows.

Pro tier adds continuous monitoring with scheduled rescans, diff detection for new and resolved findings, email alerts, signed webhooks, and integration with Slack or Teams. Enterprise tiers provide unlimited APIs, custom rules, SSO, audit logs, SLAs, and dedicated support. These options let teams align spend with their risk profile and compliance needs.