Sherlock is a security platform combining competitive audit contests with on-chain coverage. Protocols host audit contests where auditors stake capital to compete and earn rewards based on findings. This alignment-through-incentives model attracts skilled auditors and surfaces issues from diverse perspectives. Sherlock audits typically run 1–3 weeks. Sherlock has also offered DeFi protocol coverage — a financial backstop protecting protocol deposits against exploits and vulnerabilities. Note that Sherlock's coverage and insurance model has evolved over time, so check their current offerings at sherlock.xyz for the latest terms. Sherlock is ideal for protocols valuing both audit coverage and financial risk mitigation.
Firepan is an AI-powered continuous smart contract security platform that monitors deployed contracts 24/7 with real-time threat detection. Its HOUND AI engine detects vulnerabilities, anomalies, and exploit patterns. Firepan integrates with GitHub for scan-on-push, scanning commits before merge. Priced as a monthly subscription, Firepan scales across multiple contracts. It prioritizes continuous, real-time threat detection with no dependency on audit contest timing or cycles.
| Feature | Firepan | Sherlock | |---------|---------|--------| | Monitoring Type | Continuous / always-on | Time-boxed audit contests + insurance | | CI/CD Integration | GitHub integration with scan-on-push | None — audit contests offline | | AI Engine | HOUND AI engine | Community auditors with staking model | | Post-Deployment Monitoring | Yes — real-time alerts 24/7 | Insurance coverage (separate product) | | Pricing Model | SaaS subscription | Contest + insurance premium | | Time to First Finding | Minutes | 1–3 weeks (contest) | | Best For | Continuous detection + rapid iteration | Audit + financial insurance coverage |
Sherlock's coverage model has historically been unique — combining audit findings with financial protection if an exploit occurs post-audit. This appeals to risk-averse protocols with substantial TVL. The staking mechanism ensures auditors are financially aligned with finding quality — they earn more for high-signal findings and lose stake for missed exploits. This creates strong incentive alignment. Note that Sherlock's coverage offerings have evolved over time, so verify current terms at sherlock.xyz. For protocols seeking both audit coverage and financial risk mitigation, Sherlock's combined model is compelling.
Firepan provides continuous monitoring across your entire deployed contract lifecycle, running 24/7 without contest windows or timing dependencies. While Sherlock contests run 1–3 weeks, Firepan delivers findings in minutes and runs forever. Firepan also integrates into your development pipeline via GitHub — developers see issues before merge. For teams deploying frequently or managing multiple contracts, this continuous iteration capability is essential. Firepan scales to monitor thousands of contracts. Unlike Sherlock's point-in-time contests, Firepan catches vulnerabilities emerging post-audit, including contract upgrades, integration changes, and zero-day exploits.
Choose Sherlock if you:
Choose Firepan if you:
Best practice: Use both. Run a Sherlock audit contest for pre-launch coverage with insurance protection. Deploy Firepan on mainnet for continuous threat detection and rapid incident response.
Q: Is Firepan a replacement for a Sherlock audit?
A: No. Sherlock provides audit contests and insurance; Firepan provides continuous post-deployment monitoring. Use Sherlock for pre-launch audit + insurance, then Firepan for ongoing protection. They're complementary.
Q: How does Sherlock compare to Firepan on price?
A: Sherlock contests cost variable amounts based on prize pools; insurance adds additional premium. Firepan is a fixed monthly subscription. For continuous monitoring without insurance, Firepan typically costs less.
Q: Does Firepan produce audit reports like Sherlock?
A: Firepan provides real-time findings and dashboards, not formal audit reports. Sherlock contests produce detailed findings and reports. For a formal document, choose Sherlock.
Q: How long does Firepan take compared to Sherlock?
A: Firepan delivers results in minutes and runs continuously. Sherlock contests run 1–3 weeks. Firepan is instant and always-on; Sherlock is a time-boxed engagement.
Q: Can I use both Firepan and Sherlock?
A: Yes. Many protocols use Sherlock for pre-launch audit + insurance and Firepan for continuous post-deployment monitoring. The two are complementary.
Sherlock combines audit contests with insurance protection for pre-launch peace of mind; Firepan provides continuous, always-on monitoring post-deployment. Together, they create a comprehensive security and risk management strategy: use Sherlock for pre-launch audit and insurance backstop, then deploy Firepan for real-time threat detection as your protocol evolves.
Start protecting your deployed contracts with Firepan at https://app.firepan.com/.
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