dependency-track
Dependency-Track is an OWASP-backed open-source platform for analyzing software components and identifying supply chain vulnerabilities. It ingests Software Bill of Materials (SBOMs) and cross-references them against known vulnerability databases to help teams reduce security risk.
Key facts
Objective fields from the source. Values we can't verify are shown as “Unknown” rather than guessed.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Repository | DependencyTrack/dependency-track |
| Owner | DependencyTrack |
| Primary language | Java |
| License | Apache-2.0 — OSI-approved |
| Stars | 4k |
| Forks | 770 |
| Open issues | 1.1k |
| Latest release | 5.0.2 (2026-06-18) |
| Last updated | 2026-07-08 |
| Source | https://github.com/DependencyTrack/dependency-track |
What dependency-track is
Java-based component analysis platform that processes CycloneDX/SBOM formats and correlates dependencies against NVD and OSS Index. Provides REST APIs, vulnerability scoring, and supply chain risk aggregation for organizations managing complex software portfolios.
Get the dependency-track source
Clone the repository and explore it locally.
git clone https://github.com/DependencyTrack/dependency-track.gitcd dependency-track# follow the project's README for install & configurationNeed it deployed, integrated, or customized instead? DEV.co ships production installs.
Best use cases
Implementation considerations
- Requires Java 17+ runtime and a persistent database (PostgreSQL recommended); Docker Compose quickstart available for evaluation.
- SBOM ingestion format must be CycloneDX or similar; organizations using only lock files will need to generate SBOMs first.
- Vulnerability data accuracy depends on feed sources (NVD, OSS Index); establish a process to validate, tune, and act on findings.
- API-first design supports CI/CD integration; plan for authentication (API keys) and role-based access control for teams.
- Data retention and privacy: Dependency-Track stores component metadata and vulnerability history; ensure database backups and retention policies comply with your governance.
When to avoid it — and what to weigh
- Need Commercial SaaS with Guaranteed SLA — Dependency-Track is self-hosted; there is no vendor-managed cloud offering with formal support contracts. Organizations requiring 99.9% uptime guarantees should evaluate commercial alternatives.
- Real-time Runtime Threat Detection Required — This is a static analysis tool for component inventory, not a runtime security or behavioral monitoring platform. Cannot detect zero-days or exploit activity.
- Low Operational Overhead Needed — Requires Java runtime, database backend, and ongoing maintenance of vulnerability data feeds. Teams with minimal DevOps capacity may struggle with updates and scaling.
- Binary or Closed-Source Dependency Analysis — Dependency-Track works primarily with SBOMs and package manifests; analyzing closed-source or legacy binaries without metadata is not a primary use case.
License & commercial use
Licensed under Apache License 2.0 (Apache-2.0), a permissive OSI-approved license that grants rights to use, modify, and distribute the software.
Apache-2.0 permits commercial use, including in proprietary environments. You may deploy, modify, and operate Dependency-Track for business purposes. However, you remain responsible for compliance with its dependencies' licenses and for warranty/support (not provided by the project).
DEV.co evaluation signals
Editorial assessment — not user reviews. Directional, with an explicit confidence level.
| Signal | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Maintenance | Active |
| Documentation | Adequate |
| License clarity | Clear |
| Deployment complexity | Moderate |
| DEV.co fit | Strong |
| Assessment confidence | High |
As a self-hosted tool handling sensitive supply chain data, you assume responsibility for securing the deployment: database encryption, API endpoint access controls, audit logging, and regular patching. The tool itself is open-source and community-vetted, but no independent security audit data provided. Validate SBOM and vulnerability data sources for accuracy.
Alternatives to consider
OWASP CycloneDX Specification with Third-Party SCA Tools
Use standard-compliant SBOM generators with commercial SCA platforms (e.g., Snyk, Black Duck) if you prefer managed SaaS and vendor support.
Trivy or Grype (CLI-based scanning)
Lightweight, free container/image scanners ideal for lightweight CI/CD integration; lack centralized inventory but require less overhead.
Commercial Supply Chain Platforms (Anchore, JFrog Xray, Sonatype Nexus)
Offer managed hosting, SLA-backed support, and integrated remediation workflows at a cost.
Build on dependency-track with DEV.co software developers
Deploy a quickstart instance with Docker Compose to assess SBOM analysis and vulnerability correlation. Review the v5 migration guide if upgrading from v4, and plan for database and API integration with your CI/CD pipelines.
Talk to DEV.coRelated open-source tools
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dependency-track FAQ
Do I need to generate SBOMs separately, or does Dependency-Track create them?
Can Dependency-Track be deployed on-premises without internet connectivity?
What is the difference between v4 and v5?
Does Dependency-Track support private package repositories (e.g., private npm, Maven)?
Software developers & web developers for hire
DEV.co helps companies turn open-source tools like dependency-track into production software. Our software development services cover the full lifecycle — architecture, web development, integration, and maintenance — delivered by software developers and web developers who ship. Engage our software development agency to implement or customize it for your open-source security stack.
Evaluate Dependency-Track for Your Supply Chain
Deploy a quickstart instance with Docker Compose to assess SBOM analysis and vulnerability correlation. Review the v5 migration guide if upgrading from v4, and plan for database and API integration with your CI/CD pipelines.