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Semgrep Review

Semgrep is a static analysis tool that uses rule-based detection and multimodal AI reasoning to find and fix security issues and vulnerabilities in code.

shipped Jul 6, 2026aipaid
ai
Semgrep — product screenshot

Why it matters

1Combines static analysis with multimodal AI detection to uncover OWASP risks, business logic flaws, and IDORs.
2Supports over 30 programming languages, including Python, JavaScript, Go, Java, and C#.
3Semgrep Multimodal, released March 2026, claims to find up to 8x more true positives and cut noise by 50%.
4Malicious Dependency Detection, generally available December 2025, offers over 80,000 SCA rules.

Specs

API Available

Yes, public API

overview

What is Semgrep?

Semgrep is a static analysis tool developed by Semgrep (company) that enables developers and organizations to find and fix security issues and vulnerabilities in code. It combines static analysis with multimodal AI detection to uncover OWASP risks, business logic flaws, and IDORs that traditional scanners often miss. Semgrep functions as a static application security testing (SAST) tool, a software composition analysis (SCA) tool, and a secrets detection tool. Its core strength lies in its ability to parse source code into an Abstract Syntax Tree (AST), enabling it to understand code structure and detect issues that span multiple lines or files. Semgrep supports over 30 programming languages, including Python, JavaScript, Go, Java, PHP, Ruby, C#, Rust, Scala, Swift, and Terraform, with new languages added regularly. It integrates seamlessly into CI/CD pipelines (GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, CircleCI, Jenkins), IDEs, and can run as a pre-commit check.

features

Key Features of Semgrep

Semgrep provides a comprehensive suite of features designed to enhance code security across the development lifecycle, leveraging both rule-based analysis and advanced AI capabilities.

  • Static analysis for security vulnerabilities (e.g., SQL Injection, Cross-Site Scripting, Remote Code Execution).
  • Rule-based detection enhanced by multimodal AI reasoning for complex pattern identification and reduced noise.
  • Software Composition Analysis (SCA) for vulnerabilities in open-source dependencies via Semgrep Supply Chain.
  • Secrets detection using semantic analysis and improved entropy analysis to surface sensitive credentials.
  • Scanning and fixing vulnerabilities in AI-generated code through Semgrep Guardian.
  • Automated policy enforcement and security pipeline management for consistent application of controls.
  • Autofix (Public Beta) for SAST and SCA findings, combining static analysis with LLMs for contextual upgrade guidance.
  • Broad support for over 30 programming languages, including Python, Java, Go, JavaScript, and Rust.
  • Online interactive rule playground for custom rule development and testing.

use cases

Who Should Use Semgrep?

Semgrep is a versatile tool catering to various stakeholders in the software development and security ecosystem, from individual developers to large enterprises.

  • Developers: To identify and fix security issues, enforce coding standards, and secure AI-generated code early in the development lifecycle, often as pre-commit checks or within IDEs.
  • AppSec Teams: For secure code reviews, white-box penetration testing, establishing consistent security policies, and streamlining triage with improved dashboard workflows.
  • Organizations: To enhance software supply chain security by detecting malicious dependencies, accurately surfacing sensitive credentials, and automating security enforcement within CI/CD pipelines.
  • Startups: To build and deploy efficient security pipelines without significant infrastructure overhead, leveraging managed scanning services like Semgrep Managed Scans (SMS).

how to use

How to Use Semgrep

Utilizing Semgrep involves integrating its scanning capabilities into existing development workflows to proactively identify and remediate code vulnerabilities.

  • 1Install the Semgrep CLI or integrate it directly into existing CI/CD pipelines (e.g., GitHub Actions, GitLab CI).
  • 2Select from pre-built rule packs for common vulnerabilities (e.g., OWASP Top 10) or define custom rules using Semgrep's intuitive pattern language.
  • 3Execute scans on source code, pull requests, or open-source dependencies to identify security issues, coding standards violations, and secrets.
  • 4Review findings and prioritize remediation efforts through the Semgrep Dashboard or directly within IDEs and pull request comments.
  • 5Utilize the Autofix feature (Public Beta) to generate automated fixes for identified SAST and SCA findings, reducing manual effort.
  • 6Configure Semgrep Supply Chain to detect malicious dependencies and enforce supply chain security policies, including dynamic dependency resolution for Java and Kotlin.

pricing

Semgrep Pricing & Plans

Semgrep operates on a freemium model, offering a robust free tier for individual users and open-source projects, alongside paid plans for organizations requiring advanced features, managed services, and enterprise-grade support.

  • Community Edition: Free. Provides the open-source core engine for local scans, basic rule execution, and community support, suitable for individual developers and small projects.
  • Paid: Contact for pricing. Includes advanced features such as Semgrep Multimodal, Semgrep Managed Scans (SMS) for comprehensive SAST, SCA, and Secrets scanning without infrastructure costs, enhanced dashboard workflows, Semgrep Guardian for AI-generated code security, and enterprise-grade support.

Pros

  • +Rapid scanning capabilities suitable for integration into CI/CD pipelines and pre-commit checks.
  • +High customizability through a flexible rule-based detection engine and an online interactive rule playground.
  • +Broad support for over 30 programming languages, including modern stacks like Rust and Go.
  • +Ability to detect complex security issues (e.g., business logic flaws, IDORs) using Abstract Syntax Tree (AST) analysis and multimodal AI.
  • +Seamless integration into developer workflows, including IDEs and pull request comments.
  • +Autofix feature provides automated remediation suggestions, accelerating vulnerability resolution for SAST and SCA findings.

Cons

  • Specific pricing for paid tiers is not publicly disclosed, requiring direct contact for detailed cost information.
  • Custom rule maintenance can be required for highly specific policy enforcement, adding overhead for some teams.
  • The open-source core engine's licensing changes in January 2025 led to the creation of an alternative fork (Opengrep).
  • Primarily a static analysis tool, requiring integration with other security tools for dynamic or runtime analysis coverage.

Policies

Free Tier

Vendor website advertises a free tier.

Pricing Page

View Pricing

Similar Tools

Semgrep vs Competitors

Semgrep distinguishes itself in the application security landscape through its unique combination of semantic analysis, rule-based detection, and multimodal AI reasoning, offering a precise and developer-friendly approach to code security.

1

Leverages multiple fine-tuned AI models and a vast, expert-curated knowledge base to provide highly accurate, real-time vulnerability detection and auto-fix suggestions.

Snyk Code offers a broader developer security platform beyond just SAST, including SCA, container, and IaC security, making it a more comprehensive solution for developer-centric security. It focuses on integrating security directly into developer workflows with in-IDE feedback and one-click fixes.

2

Provides an enterprise-grade, unified application security platform with 'agentic AI' that operates across the entire SDLC, offering comprehensive coverage and AI-driven remediation.

Checkmarx One is positioned as a more extensive enterprise solution compared to Semgrep, covering a wider range of AppSec capabilities (SAST, SCA, IaC, API, DAST, containers, ASPM) and focusing on governance and scalability for large organizations. It aims to reduce false positives and accelerate remediation with AI-guided fixes.

3
Qwiet AI

Specializes in AI-powered vulnerability detection to achieve high accuracy in code security analysis, often through its 'preZero' platform.

Qwiet AI is highlighted as an AI-powered alternative for teams specifically evaluating AI-assisted code security analysis, suggesting a strong focus on its AI engine for detection, similar to Semgrep's multimodal AI.

4
ZeroPath

An AI-native AppSec tool that finds, verifies, and fixes *exploitable* vulnerabilities across multiple scanning types (SAST, SCA, secrets, IaC) using a single reasoning engine.

ZeroPath directly contrasts with Semgrep by emphasizing its AI-native approach to validate exploitability and generate context-aware pull requests, aiming for significantly fewer false positives and no custom rule library maintenance, which is a common point of comparison for Semgrep.

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