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Checkmarx vs Semgrep Comparison

Last updated:

Checkmarx

4.3(680 reviews)

Starting at Custom paid

  • Mid-Market
  • Enterprise

Checkmarx is an enterprise application security platform providing SAST, SCA, API security, and AI-assisted security testing in a unified solution. Founded in 2006, Checkmarx is one of the most established names in appli…

Semgrep

4.6(310 reviews)

Starting at Free free

  • Small Business
  • Mid-Market

Semgrep is a fast, open-source static analysis tool that finds bugs and enforces code standards across 30+ languages. It uses a pattern-matching syntax that looks like the code it searches — making custom security rules…

Semgrep leads on user satisfaction with a 4.6-star rating across 310 reviews.

Checkmarx vs Semgrep — at a glance

FeatureCheckmarxSemgrep
Rating4.3 / 54.6 / 5
Reviews680310
Starting priceCustom paidFree free
Free trial No No
Free version No No
Best forMid-Market, EnterpriseSmall Business, Mid-Market, Enterprise
CategoryVulnerability Management SoftwareVulnerability Management Software
PlatformsCloud, On-PremiseCloud, On-Premise, Linux
APIAvailableAvailable
Support modesDedicated CSM, Phone Support, Email Support, Professional Services, SLASlack Community, GitHub Issues, Help Center, Enterprise Support

Key differences between Checkmarx and Semgrep

  • Pricing: Checkmarx starts at Custom paid, while Semgrep starts at Free free.
  • Target audience: Checkmarx is built for Mid-Market and Enterprise, while Semgrep targets Small Business and Mid-Market.
  • User satisfaction: Semgrep scores higher with a 4.6-star average.
  • Deployment: Checkmarx supports Cloud, On-Premise; Semgrep supports Cloud, On-Premise, Linux.

Checkmarx vs Semgrep — find the better fit before you commit.

01

Which tool fits your team best

02

Which is actually cheaper for your team size

03

Where each product wins, per real buyers

Most Vulnerability Management Software tools look identical on paper. This comparison cuts to the differences that matter — pricing structure, team fit, and what real buyers found after signing up.

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Checkmarx vs Semgrep: Biggest differences

Start here before you go deeper into features.

Checkmarx

Best for

Mid-Market, Enterprise

Semgrep

Best for

Small Business, Mid-Market, Enterprise

Checkmarx typically suits Mid-Market and Enterprise. Semgrep tends to fit Small Business and Mid-Market better. The right choice depends on your team size, workflow, and whether a free trial matters.

Description

Checkmarx is an enterprise application security platform providing SAST, SCA, API security, and AI-assisted security testing in a unified solution. Founded in 2006, Checkmarx is one of the ... Read More about Checkmarx

Semgrep is a fast, open-source static analysis tool that finds bugs and enforces code standards across 30+ languages. It uses a pattern-matching syntax that looks like the code it searches ... Read More about Semgrep

Entry Level Pricing

  • Starts from Custom , per developer/year
  • Starts from Free

Free Trial Availability

  • No free trial
  • No free trial

SpotScore

What's this? ↗

8.6/10

9.2/10

User Ratings

Based on verified Spotsaas reviews
Get pricing help
Get pricing help

Where each option fits best

See where each product is strongest, which teams it fits, and what causes buyers to keep looking — before you commit.

Based on buyer reviews and verified product data collected by Spotsaas.

Strengths

Key strengths

Checkmarx

  • Catch What Simpler Tools Miss: Semantic dataflow analysis traces vulnerability paths across function boundaries and files — finding SQL injection where the source is three layers up from the sink.
  • One Platform, All AppSec: Consolidate SAST, SCA, API, IaC, secrets, and AI security into one tool rather than managing six separate vendors and dashboards.
  • Audit-Ready Compliance Reports: Pre-built PCI-DSS, HIPAA, and SOC2 reports give security teams audit evidence without manual evidence compilation.

Semgrep

  • Security in the PR Review Loop: Inline PR comments with security findings keep security in the developer workflow — findings are seen and fixed before merge, not post-deploy.
  • Custom Rules in Minutes: Pattern syntax that looks like code lets engineering leads write company-specific security rules without security team involvement.
  • OWASP Coverage Out of the Box: 2,000+ Registry rules cover SQL injection, XSS, path traversal, and other OWASP Top 10 vulnerabilities across all major frameworks.
Best fit

Best fit

Checkmarx

  • Enterprise software companies running comprehensive SAST on large codebases where false negative rate matters more than scan speed
  • Regulated industries (finance, healthcare) needing pre-built compliance reporting alongside security scanning
  • Security teams consolidating fragmented AppSec tooling (separate SAST, SCA, API tools) into a single vendor platform

Semgrep

  • DevSecOps teams adding SAST to CI/CD pipelines to catch security vulnerabilities before code reaches production
  • Engineering leads writing custom Semgrep rules to enforce company-specific secure coding patterns across all repositories
  • Security teams replacing slow, expensive commercial SAST tools with open-source Semgrep for the same vulnerability coverage at lower cost

Software Demo

Demo

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How do Checkmarx and Semgrep Compare on Features?

Total Features

8 Features

9 Features

Unique Features

No unique features

No unique features

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Compare Checkmarx and Semgrep on pricing

Review starting price, plan structure, and free-trial access side by side so you can see which option fits your budget and buying process.

Pricing Option

      Starting From

      • Custom , per developer/year
      • Free

      Pricing Plans

      • Enterprise

        Custom

        paid

        • All SAST/SCA/API

        • Unlimited scans

        • SSO

        Show more +

      • OSS

        Free

        • Open source

        • All languages

        • CLI only

        Show more +

      • Team

        Free

        • Cloud Platform

        • CI/CD integration

        • Managed rules

        Show more +

      • Enterprise

        Custom

        paid

        • SSO

        • SLA

        • Supply Chain

        Show more +

      Checkmarx vs Semgrep: Other Details

      Organization Types supported

      • Large Enterprises
      • Medium Business
      • Small Business
      • Individuals
      • Large Enterprises
      • Medium Business
      • Small Business
      • Individuals

      Platforms Supported

      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Installed - Windows
      • Installed - Mac
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Installed - Windows
      • Installed - Mac
      • Browser Based (Cloud)

      Modes of support

      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online
      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online

      API Support

      • Available
      • Available
      Get help choosing
      Get help choosing

      Checkmarx User Reviews & Rating Comparison

      User Ratings

      4.3

      (based on 680 reviews)

      4.6

      (based on 310 reviews)

      Rating Distribution

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      Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI

      Buyer sentiment

      Buyer sentiment is positive across 680 reviews, with strong overall satisfaction.

      What buyers like

      • Deep semantic dataflow SAST catches complex multi-hop vulnerability patterns that pattern-based tools like Semgrep miss — higher accuracy on real enterprise codebases.
      • 1,800+ enterprise customers and 17+ years in the market provide strong vendor stability and a mature professional services ecosystem.
      • Unified Checkmarx One platform consolidates SAST, SCA, API, IaC, secrets, and AI security — reducing the tool sprawl that security teams manage separately.

      Common complaints

      • Enterprise-only pricing with no self-serve or free tier — requires a sales engagement and procurement cycle before teams can evaluate.
      • Scan times on large codebases can be slow compared to faster pattern-based tools; the depth of analysis comes at a speed cost.

      Buyer sentiment

      Buyer sentiment is very strong across 310 reviews, with consistently positive feedback.

      What buyers like

      • Custom rule syntax mirrors the code being analyzed — security engineers write rules in minutes rather than learning a proprietary DSL.
      • 2,000+ community rules in the Registry cover OWASP Top 10 and framework-specific patterns across all major languages and frameworks.
      • Runs in CI/CD and posts inline PR comments with finding context — developers see security feedback in their existing workflow without switching tools.

      Common complaints

      • Pattern-based SAST produces false positives on complex data flow cases — findings that look like vulnerabilities in isolation but are safe in context require developer triage.
      • Supply Chain and secrets scanning require the paid Enterprise tier; teams wanting a single tool for all three categories need to budget for enterprise pricing.

      Pros and Cons

      • Deep semantic dataflow SAST catches complex multi-hop vulnerability patterns that pattern-based tools like Semgrep miss — higher accuracy on real enterprise codebases.

      • 1,800+ enterprise customers and 17+ years in the market provide strong vendor stability and a mature professional services ecosystem.

      • Unified Checkmarx One platform consolidates SAST, SCA, API, IaC, secrets, and AI security — reducing the tool sprawl that security teams manage separately.

      • Enterprise-only pricing with no self-serve or free tier — requires a sales engagement and procurement cycle before teams can evaluate.

      • Scan times on large codebases can be slow compared to faster pattern-based tools; the depth of analysis comes at a speed cost.

      • Custom rule syntax mirrors the code being analyzed — security engineers write rules in minutes rather than learning a proprietary DSL.

      • 2,000+ community rules in the Registry cover OWASP Top 10 and framework-specific patterns across all major languages and frameworks.

      • Runs in CI/CD and posts inline PR comments with finding context — developers see security feedback in their existing workflow without switching tools.

      • Pattern-based SAST produces false positives on complex data flow cases — findings that look like vulnerabilities in isolation but are safe in context require developer triage.

      • Supply Chain and secrets scanning require the paid Enterprise tier; teams wanting a single tool for all three categories need to budget for enterprise pricing.

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      Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].

      Frequently asked questions

      Which is better, Checkmarx or Semgrep?
      Semgrep edges out the other on user ratings (4.6 vs 4.3). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
      Do Checkmarx and Semgrep offer a free trial?
      Neither Checkmarx nor Semgrep currently lists a free trial.
      What is the starting price of Checkmarx vs Semgrep?
      Checkmarx starts at Custom paid. Semgrep starts at Free free.