Semgrep Code

Semgrep Code is a source-code security scanner for teams that want vulnerability checks inside development workflows. It is best suited to organizations balancing custom rules, pull-request guidance and scalable repository coverage. Its detection breadth is appealing, but repository caps and the choice to send finding-related code for AI processing deserve attention.

Overview

Semgrep Code combines static application security testing with remediation guidance, bringing security findings into pull requests, CI/CD and pre-commit scans. It supports 35 languages, custom rules and automated fixes, making it a flexible option for varied codebases. The trade-off is that access to AI-assisted analysis comes with plan-specific credit allowances, and teams must decide whether its processing model fits their code-handling requirements.

Key features

Detection and triage

Deterministic checks target familiar vulnerabilities such as XSS and SQL injection, while AI analysis is aimed at harder-to-categorize flaws such as IDOR and business logic vulnerabilities. That combination can extend coverage beyond fixed patterns, though AI processing is optional and sends part of a file containing a finding to a model. For local or fully CI-based scans, source code stays on the user's computer or CI environment.

Semgrep says its Multimodal approach can reduce findings requiring triage by 20% on activation and improve as it learns from triage decisions. This may help teams managing alert volume, but it is a stated product capability rather than a result to assume for every codebase. Custom security rules let teams encode their own requirements, and pull-request scans bring findings closer to the code changes that need attention.

Remediation and workflow

Pull requests can include tailored, step-by-step remediation instructions, giving developers a practical next step rather than only a vulnerability notice. The product supports IDE use through VS Code and IntelliJ extensions, plus notifications through Slack, email and webhooks. Integrations include GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket and Azure DevOps, with CI support for Jenkins, CircleCI and Buildkite. This breadth suits teams that want scanning in existing workflows; it does not remove the need to tune rules and review findings.

The product also covers infrastructure-as-code and containers, with policy-as-code, remediation workflows and SBOM management. Its focus remains source-code analysis, but the additional scanning and workflow capabilities may make it useful as part of a wider application security process.

Pricing

The Free Edition costs nothing and includes Code and Supply Chain, up to 10 repositories, a maximum of 10 contributors and 60 AI credits. Community-based support is the support model. This is a useful way for small teams to begin, but the contributor cap and repository ceiling are firm constraints as adoption grows.

Teams — Code costs $30 a month, billed at $30/month/contributor. It includes Code (SAST), 20 AI credits per developer per month and up to 500 private repositories. Award-winning support is included. Teams needing paid SAST without enterprise-scale scope may fit this plan, but per-contributor billing and the repository maximum should be included in budget and growth planning.

Enterprise has custom pricing, no limit on repositories or contributors, 50 AI credits per developer per month, dedicated account management and tailored onboarding. It is the logical fit for organizations that would outgrow Teams' caps or want dedicated support, though the custom price requires a quote before costs can be compared.

The pricing note gives a paid starting point of $15/user/mo, while the Teams — Code plan is priced at $30/month/contributor. Buyers should confirm which offer and billing basis apply to their intended purchase. The free plan's 60 AI credits and paid plans' per-developer allowances also make AI usage worth considering separately from repository and seat needs.

Platforms

Semgrep Code is a cloud product, with support across web, Linux, macOS and Windows, as well as API, extension and self-hosted options. IDE extensions, CI/CD integration, pre-commit scanning and pull-request scanning provide several ways to place checks in a development process. The local and fully CI-based scan option keeps source code in the user's environment, while opting into AI processing sends part of a finding-containing file to a model.

Semgrep's trust portal describes a SOC 2 Type II report and a full-scope third-party penetration test covering the Semgrep AppSec Platform, including Semgrep Code. Those controls may matter to organizations evaluating a security vendor, though they do not change the AI-processing choice.

Who it's for

Semgrep Code is a strong candidate for development and security teams that want broad language support, custom detection rules and actionable pull-request findings. The free tier suits smaller teams testing a workflow within its 10-repository and 10-contributor limits. Teams is better for organizations that need paid SAST and can work within 500 private repositories; Enterprise suits larger deployments that need uncapped repositories and contributors and dedicated account management.

It is less compelling for teams unwilling to use AI processing but seeking its AI-assisted analysis, or for buyers who need a simple price comparison before contacting sales for Enterprise. Teams with very small projects may also prefer a free, narrower tool if they do not need Semgrep's broader workflow and scanning scope.

Pros and cons

Pros: Combines deterministic checks with AI analysis for more complex flaws, rather than relying only on fixed vulnerability patterns.

Pros: Pull-request remediation instructions, IDE extensions and CI integrations put findings within developer workflows.

Pros: Free Edition includes both Code and Supply Chain, while Enterprise removes repository and contributor limits.

Pros: Support for 35 languages and custom rules can accommodate varied codebases and organization-specific checks.

Cons: Free Edition is limited to 10 repositories and 10 contributors, which can constrain adoption.

Cons: Teams caps private repositories at 500 and charges per contributor, so both growth and staffing affect fit.

Cons: AI processing sends part of a file containing a finding to a model, a consideration for teams with strict code-handling requirements.

Cons: Enterprise uses custom pricing, making upfront cost comparison less direct.

Alternatives

Snyk Open Source is worth considering when software composition analysis is the priority: its free plan covers five projects and access to Snyk Open Source (SCA), rather than Semgrep Code's SAST focus. Veracode DAST is the alternative to consider when web application and API testing is the requirement; it has no free plan and offers a demo-based buying path.

Kiuwan Code Security may suit buyers seeking a paid SAST option with a free trial, though its Professional plan has a 10-user minimum and caps applications at 25. Fluid Attacks is another paid option with a free trial; its Essential plan requires at least 10 authors billed per month.

PVS-Studio may be relevant to teams evaluating a static-analysis product with a free plan and paid team and enterprise tiers. Flawfinder is a free GPL-2.0+ option for users who prefer open-source software. Black Duck Coverity is an enterprise-oriented alternative with customized pricing based on team size and codebase. Bandit is a free Apache License 2.0 option for teams seeking an open-source alternative.

For broader comparisons, see SAST Tools, Secrets Scanning Software, DevSecOps Platforms, Static Application Security Testing Software, C and C++ Static Analysis Tools and Static Analysis Tools.

Verdict

Semgrep Code is a good choice for teams that want customizable SAST, developer-facing remediation and scanning across pull requests, IDEs and CI. Its blend of deterministic and AI-assisted detection is the main reason to choose it; the key reasons to look elsewhere are strict contributor or repository constraints, uncertainty around AI code handling, or a need for a readily comparable Enterprise price.