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Self-hosted or SaaS? Where should it run?
Self-hosted security testing runs on a server you control, so your source code, cloud credentials and list of weaknesses never leave your network, and pricing does not grow with your team. SaaS security testing runs on the vendor's cloud, needs no server, and usually charges per seat, project or asset.
Updated 31 October 2026
Side by side
| Cerberon | SaaS platform | |
|---|---|---|
| Where your code goes | Stays on your server. Rule scanning sends nothing out. | Uploaded to, or cloned by, the vendor's cloud. |
| Where findings live | Your database, on your hardware. | The vendor's database. |
| Pricing | Flat per instance. Unlimited users and projects. | Usually per seat, per project or per asset, rising as you grow. |
| Ownership | Perpetual licence option. Your version keeps working. | Subscription. Access ends when payment stops. |
| AI and privacy | Your provider or your own model, masked, or no AI. | The vendor's chosen AI and data terms. |
| Air-gapped networks | Supported with an offline bundle. | Not possible. |
| Setup | One command on a Linux server or Windows 11. | Sign up and connect repositories. |
| Updates | Applied when you choose, one click. | Applied by the vendor automatically. |
Which fits you
Choose Cerberon when
- Customers or regulators ask where your code and findings are stored.
- Your team is growing and per-seat bills are growing faster.
- You work in regulated sectors such as banking, insurance or health.
- Some networks you need to test have no internet access.
The other way fits when
- You have no server to run and no updates to apply.
- You want to start in minutes without any infrastructure decision.
Common questions
Is self-hosted security testing harder to run?
Less than it used to be. Cerberon installs with one command on a 4-core, 8 GB Linux server, sets up HTTPS itself and updates with one click from the console.
Does self-hosted mean no AI?
No. Cerberon works with the AI provider you choose or a model you host, masks data before sending it, and runs rule-based scanning with no AI at all.
Is self-hosted more expensive?
Usually less over time. A flat licence with no seat limits costs the same at 5 users or 500, and a perpetual licence is paid once.
See it on your own systems.
A 30-minute demo on your targets, or install it yourself and start scanning this afternoon.