Introduction
Semgrep is a popular open-source static analysis tool used by developers and security teams to quickly scan code for vulnerabilities. It’s widely adopted for its lightweight “semantic grep” approach, enabling custom rule writing to catch bugs and enforce security patterns.
However, many developers, CTOs, and CISOs eventually seek Semgrep alternatives due to common pain points – high false-positive noise, slow scan performance on large codebases, limited coverage of certain risk areas, and challenges integrating into developer workflows. Below we introduce five top alternatives and why you might consider them over Semgrep. But first, here’s what some users have said about Semgrep:
“There were quite a few false positives as well.” – G2 reviewer
“Other tools such as SonarQube have more features and provide thorough reports.” – G2 reviewer
“Running Semgrep can be resource-intensive and may slow down your development process.” – G2 reviewer
In this article, we’ll briefly explain what Semgrep does and its limitations, then dive into five Semgrep alternatives: Aikido Security, Fortify Static Code Analyzer, GitHub Advanced Security, SonarQube, and OWASP ZAP. We’ll also cover key criteria for choosing an AppSec tool and include a comparison table and FAQs to help you decide which solution fits your needs.
Skip directly to the best alternatives:
What Is Semgrep?
Semgrep is a fast, open-source static analysis tool that searches code for patterns to find bugs and security issues. It was designed to feel like “grep” for code, allowing you to write rules that look like code rather than complex regex or AST patterns.
Semgrep supports 30+ programming languages and can run in various stages of development – in your IDE, as a pre-commit hook, or in CI/CD pipelines. In practice, Semgrep is used for static application security testing (SAST) to detect common vulnerabilities (like SQL injection, XSS, hardcoded secrets, etc.) and enforce coding standards. Developers appreciate its flexibility – you can choose from a vast library of pre-built rules or write custom rules to fit your codebase’s needs.
That said, Semgrep’s lightweight approach has limitations. The open-source engine generally analyzes code on a single-file or single-function basis, lacking deep interprocedural analysis. This means it might miss issues that span multiple files or components. The maintainers themselves note that the free Semgrep Community Edition can only analyze one file at a time, so some true vulnerabilities that involve cross-file data flows won’t be caught without their paid platform enhancements.
Semgrep also relies on the rules you provide – if a security vulnerability isn’t covered by an existing rule and you haven’t written one, Semgrep won’t flag it.
In summary, Semgrep is a powerful yet approachable SAST tool ideal for quick pattern-based scans and custom checks. It’s loved for its developer-friendly design, but its propensity for noise and coverage gaps (both in depth and breadth) leave some teams searching for more comprehensive or low-noise solutions.
Why Look for Alternatives?
If you’re considering alternatives to Semgrep, you likely have run into one or more of these common issues:
- Too Many False Positives: Semgrep (like many static analyzers) can flood you with alerts that aren’t true problems. Users often cite the signal-to-noise ratio as a frustration, where triaging findings takes significant effort.
- Limited Analysis Depth: The free Semgrep engine lacks cross-file data flow analysis. Complex vulnerabilities that span multiple functions or files may be overlooked. This limitation means you might need additional tools or the paid platform for full coverage.
- Performance on Large Codebases: Running Semgrep on a big monorepo or during CI can be resource-intensive and slow. Scan times may bog down development if not tuned carefully.
- Coverage Gaps: Semgrep focuses mainly on source code. It doesn’t natively cover other security needs like dependency scanning (SCA), cloud posture checks, or dynamic testing (DAST). Teams aiming for comprehensive AppSec often need to supplement it with other tools.
- Workflow & UX Challenges: While Semgrep is developer-friendly in concept, some find writing and maintaining custom rules to be a learning curve. Additionally, the open-source version’s lack of a GUI or dashboards can slow down adoption in larger teams.
- Cost for Advanced Features: Semgrep’s core is free, but unlocking enterprise features (like team collaboration, cross-file analysis, and integrations) requires a paid plan. Organizations with limited budgets might prefer tools with transparent pricing and bundled scanners out of the box.
In short, teams seek alternatives when Semgrep’s noise level, depth limitations, or ecosystem fit start impeding their AppSec program. Luckily, there are both commercial and open-source alternatives that address some of these pain points.
Key Criteria for Choosing an Alternative
When evaluating Semgrep alternatives (or any application security testing tool), keep these key criteria in mind:
- 🎯 Signal-to-Noise Ratio: How well does the tool minimize false positives? Look for tools that use AI-assisted triage or vetted rule sets to surface what truly matters.
- ⚡ Scan Speed & Performance: Speed matters in CI/CD pipelines. Tools like Aikido or CodeQL offer fast feedback loops that don’t stall dev cycles.
- 🛡️ Coverage & Security Depth: Consider whether the tool scans only code or also includes SCA, IaC, API scanning, or runtime protection. Full-stack security platforms can save you from tool sprawl.
- 🤝 Developer-Friendliness: Tools should plug into the dev workflow. Look for options with IDE plugins, inline PR comments, and integrations with GitHub, Jira, and Slack.
- 🔌 Integrations: Ensure compatibility with your stack — version control systems, CI/CD tools, frameworks, and languages.
- 💰 Pricing & Scalability: AppSec tools vary widely in cost. Some, like Aikido Security, offer flat-rate pricing that scales with your team. Others require per-seat or per-scan pricing, which may not be ideal for smaller orgs.
- 🧩 Ease of Use & Maintenance: Consider the setup and long-term management. Tools that auto-fix or suppress false positives can significantly reduce ongoing overhead.
By weighing these factors – accuracy, speed, coverage, dev experience, integration, and cost – you’ll be in a better position to choose the best Semgrep alternative for your stack.
Comparison Table
Below is a comparison of Semgrep and its alternatives on key aspects.
Top 5 Alternatives to Semgrep in 2025
Before diving into details, here’s a quick list of the five Semgrep alternatives we’ll cover:
- Aikido Security – Developer-first, all-in-one AppSec platform
- Fortify Static Code Analyzer – Enterprise-grade SAST tool
- GitHub Advanced Security – Built-in code security for GitHub users
- SonarQube – Popular open-source static analysis engine
- OWASP Zed Attack Proxy (ZAP) – Open-source dynamic scanner for web apps and APIs
Each of these tools takes a different approach to application security. Below, we break down what each alternative offers, their key features, and why you might choose it over Semgrep.
1. Aikido Security – Developer-First, All-in-One AppSec Platform
Overview:
Aikido Security is an all-in-one application security platform designed with developers in mind. Unlike single-focus tools like Semgrep, Aikido provides “code to cloud” protection in one central dashboard. It combines multiple scanners – SAST, DAST, SCA, secret scanning, IaC, and more – under a unified interface.
Aikido’s philosophy is No-BS AppSec: prioritize real vulnerabilities, filter out noise, and integrate seamlessly into development workflows. It’s cloud-based, but also supports on-prem scanning for teams with compliance needs.
Key Features:
- Comprehensive Scanning Suite: Covers everything from code and dependencies to cloud configs, containers, and APIs—all in one place.
- Low Noise, High Signal: Powered by vetted rules and AI-based triage, Aikido filters out up to 95% of false positives.
- Developer-Centric Workflow: Seamless IDE integration, CI/CD support, and one-click AI AutoFix make remediation fast and painless.
Why Choose It:
Choose Aikido if you want a dev-first experience with full-stack coverage. It’s ideal for small to mid-sized teams looking to eliminate tool sprawl—consolidating SAST, DAST, and SCA into one streamlined platform. Transparent flat pricing, minimal false positives, and an easy learning curve make it a compelling upgrade from Semgrep.
2. Fortify Static Code Analyzer – Enterprise-Grade SAST Tool
Overview:
Fortify Static Code Analyzer (SCA), now owned by OpenText (formerly Micro Focus), is a longstanding enterprise-grade static application security testing tool. It’s trusted by Fortune 500s and governments for its deep scanning, large language support, and compliance-ready reporting.
Fortify supports modern and legacy languages (including COBOL and PL/SQL), making it a go-to for orgs with complex or older stacks. It’s available on-prem, SaaS, or hybrid—useful for regulated industries needing full control over code and results.
Key Features:
- Extensive Language & Framework Support: Supports 30+ languages, from Python and JavaScript to ABAP and classic ASP—backed by an expert ruleset curated over decades.
- Powerful Analysis Engine: Offers deep dataflow and control flow analysis across multiple files and functions, with real-time developer feedback via the Security Assistant plugin.
- Enterprise-Ready Integrations: Comes with features like ScanCentral for distributed scanning, CI/CD plugins, and role-based access control for large team workflows.
Why Choose It:
Fortify is ideal for security-conscious enterprises and legacy-heavy codebases. It’s overkill for small teams but shines where you need full control, formal compliance, and deep analysis across sprawling architectures. If Semgrep feels limited in coverage and configurability, Fortify provides enterprise-grade robustness—with the trade-off of more complexity and cost.
3. GitHub Advanced Security – Built-In Code Security for GitHub
Overview:
GitHub Advanced Security (GHAS) is GitHub’s native application security suite, fully integrated into the GitHub platform. It brings security scanning directly into your version control workflow with CodeQL, secret scanning, and dependency alerts via Dependabot. If your code lives on GitHub, GHAS turns your repo into a security engine with minimal overhead.
For example, CodeQL automatically scans your code for vulnerabilities and flags issues directly in pull requests. Secret scanning detects hardcoded secrets like API keys and can even block commits containing sensitive credentials before they’re pushed.
Key Features:
- CodeQL Static Analysis: Uses CodeQL to detect a wide range of vulnerabilities. Scans can run automatically per PR and findings appear as inline annotations. GitHub also introduced Copilot-powered autofix for select security issues.
- Dependency & Secret Scanning: Dependabot alerts you to vulnerable packages and opens PRs to fix them. Secret scanning can block pushes with exposed secrets.
- Tight Dev Workflow Integration: Works natively with GitHub Actions, PR checks, and repo security dashboards—no setup or external integrations required.
Why Choose It:
If you’re already using GitHub, GHAS offers zero-friction security coverage. It’s particularly attractive for open-source projects (free for public repos) and companies on GitHub Enterprise. It’s not as customizable or broad as tools like Aikido or Fortify, but for straightforward CI integration and solid SAST/SCA coverage, it’s an excellent low-maintenance alternative to Semgrep—as long as you stay in the GitHub ecosystem.
4. SonarQube – Popular Open-Source Static Analysis Engine
Overview:
SonarQube is a widely used platform for code quality and security analysis. It started as a tool to catch bugs and code smells but has matured into a capable SAST solution covering OWASP Top 10 vulnerabilities, hardcoded secrets, and more. The open-source Community Edition is free, while paid editions unlock advanced security rules and governance features.
SonarQube integrates with most CI pipelines and is commonly used to enforce "quality gates"—rules that prevent bad code from being merged. Its clean UI and focus on developer adoption make it a favorite in teams that want to balance security and maintainability.
Key Features:
- Multi-Language Analysis: Supports 20+ languages including Java, C#, JavaScript, and Python. Offers unified insight into reliability, maintainability, and security risks.
- CI/CD & Pull Request Integration: Easily connects to GitHub Actions, Jenkins, GitLab, and others to scan every commit or PR. SonarQube can decorate PRs and enforce merge rules via quality gates.
- Developer UX & IDE Support: SonarLint plugins for IDEs give devs instant feedback. The UI breaks down issues by severity, type, and fix recommendations.
Why Choose It:
SonarQube is perfect if you’re looking for a developer-friendly, all-in-one tool that combines code quality and security. It’s ideal for smaller teams or organizations that already use Sonar for quality control. While not as deep as Fortify or as comprehensive as Aikido, it’s an effective lightweight SAST solution—especially if you're budget-conscious. And for those already running it, enabling security features adds a lot with no new tools to manage.
5. OWASP ZAP – Open-Source Dynamic Scanner for Web Apps & APIs
Overview:
OWASP ZAP (Zed Attack Proxy) is a powerful open-source Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) tool maintained by the OWASP Foundation. Unlike SAST tools like Semgrep or SonarQube, ZAP doesn’t look at source code—it tests live, running applications for vulnerabilities like XSS, SQL injection, and broken authentication.
ZAP is widely used for both manual and automated security testing. It integrates into CI/CD pipelines or can be run in an interactive UI. Its API scanning and support for WebSockets make it a go-to tool for modern single-page apps and REST APIs.
Key Features:
- Active & Passive Scanning: Combines passive traffic monitoring with active fuzzing and attack simulation. Additional rules can be installed via the ZAP Marketplace.
- API & SPA Testing: Import OpenAPI/Swagger files to test REST endpoints. Supports modern JavaScript apps, AJAX crawling, and WebSocket security.
- Automation-Ready: ZAP can be run headlessly in CI (via Docker) or controlled via scripting. Great for teams that want to automate DAST without vendor lock-in.
Why Choose It:
ZAP is not a 1:1 replacement for Semgrep—but it’s a powerful complement. If you want runtime protection or need to scan staging environments for issues missed by static tools, ZAP delivers real-world value. It's completely free, well-documented, and supported by a strong community. Teams that pair it with a solid SAST (like Aikido or SonarQube) get end-to-end coverage without burning budget on proprietary DAST solutions.
Conclusion
Semgrep has earned its reputation as a handy and hackable security tool for developers, but it’s not the end-all for application security. We’ve explored how alternatives like Aikido Security, Fortify Static Code Analyzer, GitHub Advanced Security, SonarQube, and OWASP ZAP each address Semgrep’s shortcomings – whether it’s reducing false positives, expanding coverage beyond code, improving performance, or streamlining the developer experience.
The best choice ultimately depends on your team’s priorities: a startup might favor an all-in-one platform like Aikido for its breadth and simplicity, an enterprise might trust the depth of Fortify, and a GitHub-centric org could lean into GHAS for convenience. Some teams will even mix and match tools to cover all bases.
Remember, the goal is to empower developers to write secure code without wasting effort. The right AppSec tool should help you focus on real issues—not drown you in noise. It should fit into your workflow rather than disrupt it. All the options discussed can improve on Semgrep in one way or another – it comes down to which aligns with your code environment and resources.
If you’re unsure where to start, consider the free trials or community editions of these tools. And don’t hesitate to start your free trial or book a demo of Aikido Security, which promises a no-fuss, comprehensive approach to application security. The best way to find the perfect fit is to see these tools in action on your own code.
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