StackShield vs Enlightn: External Monitoring vs Internal Analysis
Compare StackShield and Enlightn for Laravel security. See how external attack surface monitoring compares to internal static analysis.
Quick Summary
StackShield
- Laravel-specific external monitoring
- 30+ security checks, zero installation
- From $29/mo with 14-day free trial
Enlightn
- Laravel Static Analyzer
- Enlightn is a Laravel-specific static analysis tool that inspects your application code, configuration, and dependencies from the inside. It runs as a Composer package within your project and checks for security, performance, and reliability issues.
- Free (open source) / $99 one-time (Pro)
Feature Comparison
| Feature | StackShield | Enlightn |
|---|---|---|
| Analysis type | External (attacker perspective) | Internal (code analysis) |
| Laravel-specific | Yes | Yes |
| Installation required | No (just add URL) | Yes (Composer package) |
| Detects production misconfigurations | Yes | No (only checks code) |
| DNS/SSL monitoring | Yes | No |
| Open port detection | Yes | No |
| Continuous monitoring | Yes | No (runs on demand) |
| Alerting | Email, Slack, webhooks | CI/CD pipeline output |
| Pricing | From $29/mo | Free / $99 one-time |
| Performance analysis | No | Yes |
| Best for | Monitoring live production apps | Pre-deployment code analysis |
Enlightn Strengths
- Laravel-specific analysis (built for the framework)
- Checks code, configuration, and dependencies together
- Runs locally or in CI/CD pipelines
- One-time pricing (no monthly fee)
- Covers performance and reliability in addition to security
- Open source base with paid Pro version
Enlightn Limitations
- Internal analysis only. Cannot see what attackers see from outside.
- Does not detect runtime misconfigurations in production
- Cannot check for exposed Telescope/Ignition in live production
- Does not monitor DNS, SSL certificates, or open ports
- Point-in-time analysis, not continuous monitoring
- Requires installation as a Composer dependency
Choose StackShield if...
Choose StackShield if you need to monitor what your live production application looks like from the outside. StackShield catches issues that only appear at runtime: exposed debug tools, DNS misconfigurations, missing headers after a deploy, and more.
Choose Enlightn if...
Choose Enlightn if you want pre-deployment code analysis that catches security, performance, and reliability issues in your Laravel codebase before they reach production.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I use StackShield or Enlightn?
Use both. They cover different layers. Enlightn analyzes your code before deployment. StackShield monitors your running application after deployment. Together they provide pre-deployment and post-deployment security coverage.
Does Enlightn replace the need for external monitoring?
No. Enlightn checks your code and configuration files, but it cannot see what your production application looks like from the internet. Server misconfigurations, DNS issues, exposed ports, and runtime configuration drift are only visible from the outside.
Other Comparisons
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See what your Laravel application looks like from the outside. No installation required.
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