SIDE-BY-SIDE COMPARISON

CompareCheckmarxvsSemgrep

Review features, pricing signals, strengths, and trade-offs before choosing.

Generated from current catalog profiles Catalog profile signals Use-case comparison
AI Security & DevSecOps Software

Semgrep

SF 8.8

AI-assisted AppSec scanning for developer workflows

Free · PaidPublic Pricing

Quick decision guide

Choose based on your workflow

Checkmarx may fit better if...

  • AppSec Platform
  • SAST Scanning
  • SCA Coverage

Semgrep may fit better if...

  • AI SAST
  • Custom Rules
  • Dependency Reachability

Overview

How each tool is described

Checkmarx

Checkmarx is an enterprise application security platform for teams that need SAST, SCA, secrets, infrastructure as code scanning, API security, ASPM, and AI-guided remediation across code-to-cloud workflows. Checkmarx One focuses on consolidating AppSec testing and prioritization as AI-generated and agentic development increase risk. Its strength is broad enterprise governance for mature security programs inside repository pipelines and governed security review workflows for large teams.

It fits larger organizations that need centralized AppSec coverage, integrations, compliance support, and developer guidance across many teams. Buyers should expect sales-led pricing, implementation planning, and tuning to reduce noisy findings. Checkmarx may be too heavy for small teams, but it is relevant when security leaders need one governed platform instead of several point tools across repositories, pipelines, and security review workflows at scale.

View full Checkmarx profile

Semgrep

Semgrep is an application security platform for developers and security teams that need fast code scanning, AI-assisted SAST, software supply chain protection, and customizable rules in development workflows. It can scan source code, enforce secure coding standards, and help teams identify actionable findings closer to commits. Its strength is developer-friendly AppSec that balances speed, rule flexibility, and security depth with practical developer security governance.

It fits teams that want security checks inside CI, pull requests, and developer workflows without waiting for heavyweight review cycles. Buyers should review language coverage, rule maintenance, SCA needs, and platform pricing before standardizing. Semgrep is stronger for code-focused security than secrets-only tools; compare it with Snyk, Checkmarx, and Aikido when broader AppSec governance is required inside repositories, pipelines, and security review workflows consistently.

View full Semgrep profile

Side-by-side

Key differences

Criteria
AI Security & DevSecOps SoftwareCheckmarx
AI Security & DevSecOps SoftwareSemgrep
Best for
AI Security & DevSecOps Software
AI Security & DevSecOps Software
Score
8.7/10
8.8/10
Pricing
Contact sales
Free · Paid
Category / audience
AI Development & Coding Software › AI Security & DevSecOps Software
  • AppSec platform
  • SAST
  • AI remediation
AI Development & Coding Software › AI Security & DevSecOps Software
  • AI SAST
  • code security
  • software supply chain

Feature check

Side-by-side feature check

Feature
Checkmarx
Semgrep
AppSec PlatformUnifies code-to-cloud security testing workflows for teams
-
SAST ScanningAnalyzes proprietary code for security weaknesses signals
-
SCA CoverageReviews open source dependencies for risk process
-
ASPM OverviewCorrelates findings across application security programs signals
-
AI GuidanceSupports developer remediation with guided fixes signals
-
Enterprise ControlsProvides governance for large security organizations process
-
12 capabilities compared.12 differentiating rows are shown first.

Use cases

Who they're built for

Checkmarx

  • Enterprise AppSec GovernanceStandardize application security across many teams signals
  • Agentic Development RiskAssess risks from AI-assisted software creation signals
  • Code Cloud TestingConnect code findings with cloud security signals
View full Checkmarx profile

Semgrep

  • Secure Code ReviewCatch risky patterns before pull requests merge
  • Custom Rule EnforcementApply organization-specific coding security standards during reviews
  • AI Generated CodeCheck machine-written code for security issues signals
View full Semgrep profile

The trade-offs

Pros & cons of each tool

Trade-offs

Checkmarx

Pros
  • Broad AppSec coverage suits enterprises signals
  • AI guidance supports developer remediation workflows
  • Governance features help mature security teams
Cons
  • Pricing requires sales-led enterprise scoping planning
  • Implementation can be heavy for startups
  • Tuning remains important for signal quality
Trade-offs

Semgrep

Pros
  • Fast scanning suits developer workflows process
  • Custom rules support precise security policies
  • Open source core aids adoption flexibility
Cons
  • Rule maintenance requires security expertise signals
  • Enterprise features require platform investment signals
  • False positives still need triage ownership

Final verdict

Best fit depends on your workflow

Catalog verdict · medium confidence

Current catalog data shows meaningful overlap between Checkmarx and Semgrep. Use the signals below to decide based on workflow, ecosystem, pricing, and implementation fit.

Differentiators available

Checkmarx has 4 visible decision signals and Semgrep has 4.

Score signal

Semgrep has the higher SoftFinders Score in the current catalog data.

TRY THEM YOURSELF

See which one fits your workflow

Both tools have their strengths, the best way to decide is to spend a few minutes inside each.