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GitHub CodeQL vs GitHub Secret Scanning

GitHub CodeQL

codeql.github.com

GitHub Secret Scanning

github.com

Side by side

FigureGitHub CodeQLGitHub Secret Scanning
Price from$30/mo$19/mo
Free planYes—
Free trial——
Open source——
WebYesYes
WindowsYes—
macOSYes—
LinuxYes—
API—Yes
Self-hostedYesYes
Plans published51
Spec score · Dependency Management Software8.6 (#4)7.8 (#14)
Spec score · Static Application Security Testing Sast8.5 (#4)7.8 (#9)
PurposeCodeQL is a language and toolchain for code analysis that treats code as data.Secret scanning automatically detects exposed credentials so they can be secured before they are exploited.

Plans

GitHub CodeQL

  • Free for research and open sourceFree
  • GitHub Code Security$30 a month
  • CodeQL for open source and researchFree
  • GitHub Code Security$30 a month
  • GitHub Free with CodeQL code scanningPrice not published

GitHub CodeQL pricing →

GitHub Secret Scanning

  • GitHub Secret Protection$19 a month

GitHub Secret Scanning pricing →

In their own words

GitHub CodeQL

GitHub CodeQL has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.

Visit codeql.github.com

GitHub Secret Scanning

GitHub Secret Scanning detects exposed credentials so they can be secured before exploitation. It scans every branch in Git history, plus issue and pull request content, discussions, wikis, and secret gists. Detected leaks produce repository alerts with details about the credential, while push protection can block secrets before they enter code. Organizations can define regular expressions for their own secret formats. Generic patterns cover items such as private keys, connection strings, and API keys, and AI detection can identify unstructured secrets such as passwords. Validity checks may contact issuing services to see whether credentials remain active. GitHub can work with providers to validate findings and notify them for actions such as revocation. Scanning is automatic and free for public repositories. Private and internal organization repositories require Secret Protection on GitHub Team or Enterprise Cloud; Enterprise Server supports user-owned repositories with that protection. It is available through API, web, and self-hosted deployment, with hybrid deployment.

Visit github.com