CertiK vs PeckShield: Audit Firms & Skynet Monitoring

Market leader in formal verification: Uses proprietary tech to mathematically prove code correctness. This matters for high-value DeFi protocols and institutional clients where brand reputation is paramount. Known for auditing major projects like Binance Smart Chain, Terra, and Polygon.

Deep expertise in DeFi exploits: Renowned for rapid response and forensic analysis of live hacks (e.g., Cream Finance, BadgerDAO). This matters for DeFi-native teams who prioritize understanding emerging attack vectors and need post-mortem clarity.

Often more competitive pricing and faster turnaround for standard audits. Maintains a strong open-source presence with tools like SolidityScan. This matters for early-stage startups and projects with leaner budgets or aggressive launch timelines.

Deep expertise in formal verification and static analysis. CertiK's proprietary tech, including the CertiK Virtual Machine (CVM), mathematically proves code correctness. This is critical for DeFi protocols handling high-value assets (e.g., Aave, Binance) where a single logic flaw can be catastrophic. Their approach often uncovers subtle, non-obvious vulnerabilities that dynamic testing misses.

Superior on-chain monitoring and proactive threat detection. PeckShield's Skynet and EagleEye platforms provide real-time alerts for exploits, phishing, and fund movements. This is essential for protocols requiring 24/7 security ops and rapid incident response (e.g., dYdX, 1inch). Their focus on the attack lifecycle post-deployment offers ongoing protection beyond the initial audit.

Higher price point and potential for slower turnaround. Comprehensive formal verification is resource-intensive, leading to premium fees and longer engagement timelines. Some in the ecosystem view their dominant market share and Skynet scoring system as a form of centralized gatekeeping, which can be a concern for decentralized purists or smaller projects with tight budgets.

Stronger focus on DeFi/EVM, potentially lighter on novel architectures. While excellent within their domain, projects on non-EVM chains or with complex non-DeFi logic (e.g., novel consensus, ZK-circuits) might find CertiK's broader research base more applicable. Some clients report that communication and reporting clarity can be less structured compared to CertiK's highly standardized process.

Market leader with 4,500+ audits and a client list including Binance, Polygon, and TON. This established reputation is critical for protocols seeking immediate institutional trust and exchange listings. Their Skynet monitoring platform tracks over $500B in on-chain assets, providing a broad threat intelligence network.

Premium pricing reflects their market position, which can be prohibitive for early-stage projects. Some clients report a more formal, slower engagement process compared to agile competitors. This trade-off is significant for lean teams needing rapid iterations or with sub-$100K security budgets.

While highly respected technically, they have less brand recognition among traditional financial institutions compared to CertiK. Their marketing and public reporting are more technical and niche-focused. This matters for projects where security marketing to a mainstream audience is a primary KPI alongside the audit itself.