GuardionAI vs. mcp-scan (Snyk Agent Scan)
Which AI security platform is right for your team? We break down the differences in features, latency, and protection scope to help you decide.
Last reviewed: 2026-07-03
| Feature | GuardionAI | mcp-scan (Snyk Agent Scan) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Focus | Agent Runtime Governance | MCP Security Scanning |
| Tool Call Protection | Deep Inspection | Yes |
| Deployment | Inline Security Gateway / Guard API / Claude Code plugin | Local CLI / CI integration |
| Guardrails Latency | <130ms policy decision | On-demand CLI scans |
| Detection Accuracy | 96.3 F1 on the Prompt Security Leaderboard with 0.02% false positives | Not published / varies by deployment |
| Compliance | GDPR-ready, HIPAA-ready, LGPD-ready, SOC 2 Type II (in progress) | Apache 2.0 |
GuardionAI figures from guardion.ai (Policy engine decisions return in under 130ms — 20× faster than cloud provider guardrails.) • mcp-scan (Snyk Agent Scan) figures from public documentation, reviewed 2026-07-03.
Choose GuardionAI if...
- •You are building autonomous AI agents that use tools, MCP servers, or APIs.
- •Latency is critical for your application (Policy engine decisions return in under 130ms — 20× faster than cloud provider guardrails).
- •You want DLP for PII and secrets before data leaves your org.
- •You need a single hub to investigate and respond to agent incidents.
Choose mcp-scan (Snyk Agent Scan) if...
- •Pioneered detection of tool poisoning and cross-origin shadowing
- •Its pricing model (Free / Open Source (Snyk API token required)) fits your procurement preferences
Frequently asked questions
What is mcp-scan (Snyk Agent Scan)?
Created by ETH Zurich spin-off Invariant Labs and maintained by Snyk since its June 2025 acquisition, mcp-scan auto-discovers agent configurations (Claude, Cursor, Windsurf, Gemini CLI) and scans MCP servers, skills, and harnesses for 15+ risk categories including prompt injection, tool poisoning, tool shadowing, and toxic flows. Rebranded Snyk Agent Scan; v0.5.12 released June 2026. It is categorized under Agent & MCP Security in the Guardion AI Security Index.
Who owns mcp-scan (Snyk Agent Scan)?
mcp-scan was acquired by Snyk. Created by ETH Zurich spin-off Invariant Labs and maintained by Snyk since its June 2025 acquisition, mcp-scan auto-discovers agent configurations (Claude, Cursor, Windsurf, Gemini CLI) and scans MCP servers, skills, and harnesses for 15+ risk categories including prompt injection, tool poisoning, tool shadowing, and toxic flows
Is mcp-scan (Snyk Agent Scan) open source?
Yes. mcp-scan (Snyk Agent Scan) has an open-source core (https://github.com/invariantlabs-ai/mcp-scan); pricing model: Free / Open Source (Snyk API token required).
What are the best mcp-scan (Snyk Agent Scan) alternatives?
Teams evaluating mcp-scan (Snyk Agent Scan) most often compare it with Lasso Security, Akto, Snyk (Invariant Labs), and GuardionAI — all listed under Agent & MCP Security.
How does mcp-scan (Snyk Agent Scan) compare to GuardionAI?
mcp-scan (Snyk Agent Scan) focuses on mcp security scanning, while GuardionAI is an agent runtime governance platform ("EDR for AI agents") that governs every agent tool call inline with sub-130ms guardrails latency.
Last reviewed: 2026-07-03
Sources: github.com · invariantlabs.ai