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ModelScan

Security scanner for AI model files

ModelScan by Protect AI is an open-source tool that scans machine learning model files for malicious or unsafe code before they are loaded into production. Supporting formats like Pickle, HDF5, and SavedModel, it detects hidden code execution, deserialization attacks, and supply chain threats in the AI/ML model artifact pipeline, integrating into CI/CD as a critical security gate.

About ModelScan

ModelScan addresses a critical and often overlooked attack vector in AI/ML deployments: malicious code hidden inside model files. Popular serialization formats like Python Pickle can execute arbitrary code during deserialization, meaning a tampered model downloaded from a public hub or shared repository could compromise an entire system. ModelScan statically analyzes model files to detect unsafe operations without actually loading or executing them.

The tool supports multiple model formats including Pickle, HDF5, and TensorFlow SavedModel, covering the major serialization surfaces documented by the project while its format coverage continues to expand. As a CLI tool installable via PyPI, it integrates naturally into CI/CD pipelines as a pre-deployment security gate. Teams can scan models before pushing to registries, before loading into inference servers, or as part of automated MLOps workflows.

Maintained by Protect AI with 720+ GitHub stars and Apache-2.0 licensing, ModelScan fills a gap that traditional application security scanners completely miss. As organizations rapidly deploy AI capabilities, the model supply chain becomes an increasingly attractive target. The tool is free and open-source, with project metadata showing continued repository activity in 2026 and format support documented in its official README.

Pricing & Platform Specs

Pricing Summary

Free and 100% open source under the Apache-2.0 license. ModelScan has zero software licensing fees, subscription tiers, or usage limits; it provides unlimited local and CI/CD model security scanning for PyTorch, TensorFlow, Keras, and Pickle artifacts at $0 cost.

full pricing breakdown →

Supported Platforms

Python CLI, PyPI, CI/CD pipelines

Explore categories, tags & use cases

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Side-by-Side Comparisons

ModelScan logo
ModelScan
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LLM Guard logo
LLM Guard
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garak logo
garak

ModelScan vs LLM Guard vs Garak — AI Model Security Comparison

AI model security addresses threats at different layers of the ML lifecycle. ModelScan from Protect AI detects malicious code embedded in serialized model files before deployment, protecting against model supply chain attacks. LLM Guard acts as a real-time firewall for LLM applications, scanning prompts and responses to block injection attacks and data leakage. Garak is an LLM vulnerability scanner that probes models for weaknesses through automated red-teaming and adversarial testing.

Community experience

Sources & verification

Sources checked
Content verified

Verification dates are editorial checks. Routine CMS saves and automatic updatedAt timestamps do not advance them.

FAQ

What is ModelScan?

ModelScan by Protect AI is an open-source tool that scans machine learning model files for malicious or unsafe code before they are loaded into production. Supporting formats like Pickle, HDF5, and SavedModel, it detects hidden code execution, deserialization attacks, and supply chain threats in the AI/ML model artifact pipeline, integrating into CI/CD as a critical security gate.

Is ModelScan free?

Yes — ModelScan is open source and free to use. Free and 100% open source under the Apache-2.0 license. ModelScan has zero software licensing fees, subscription tiers, or usage limits; it provides unlimited local and CI/CD model security scanning for PyTorch, TensorFlow, Keras, and Pickle artifacts at $0 cost.

Is ModelScan open source?

Yes — ModelScan is open source.

Is ModelScan still maintained?

Yes — ModelScan is active. Its listing was last verified on September 6, 2026.

What are the best ModelScan alternatives?

The first editor-selected ModelScan alternatives are Guardrails AI, PromptLayer, NeMo Guardrails.

How does ModelScan score in our review?

The published editorial review lists ModelScan at 75/100 overall across speed, privacy, and developer experience. Check the review's evidence status and test metadata for its verification level.