Coding & app building

Semgrep

By semgrep.dev

Semgrep is a strong fit for sast-style code scanning, with a profile optimized for advanced users who value medium ease-of-use and high output quality.

Best for: SAST-style code scanning

What it is

Static analysis and code-security scanning platform for finding vulnerabilities and risky patterns in repositories with customizable rules.

In Choosely terms, this sits in the coding & app building lane and is commonly selected for sast-style code scanning and security rule-based scanning.

Pricing

Free Community access is available. Team and enterprise pricing varies by seats, features, and deployment needs.

Basis: Contact SalesConfidence: EstimatedLast checked: May 2026

Why people pick it vs where it falls short

Why people pick it

  • Strong static-analysis workflow
  • Customizable rule support
  • Good fit for security teams and engineers

Where it falls short

  • Requires security/rule tuning for best results
  • Less general-purpose than coding assistants

When it is a strong fit

A strong match when your main priority is sast-style code scanning and you need an advanced-friendly starting point.

Useful when your team values medium ease of use and medium execution over heavier setup.

Best when high quality matters, but you still want a practical workflow rather than a complex implementation track.

How it compares in Choosely terms

  • Speed profile: Medium. This is best when you want momentum from prompt to usable output without heavy process overhead.
  • Ease profile: Medium for Advanced users. You can move quickly even if this is not your full-time specialty.
  • Control profile: High. Expect practical customization, but not an infinite-control architecture.
  • Pricing signal: Contact sales. Good for teams balancing capability with cost sensitivity.
Tradeoff: Requires security/rule tuning for best results.

Best-fit use cases

Practical ways Semgrep fits the current Choosely catalog profile.

Code Security Scan

Strong lane

Use Semgrep for code security scan when you want medium execution, medium ease of use, and high output quality.

Sast

Strong fit

Use Semgrep for sast when you want medium execution, medium ease of use, and high output quality.

Repo Vulnerability Check

Strong lane

Use Semgrep for repo vulnerability check when you want medium execution, medium ease of use, and high output quality.

Security Findings Review

Use Semgrep for security findings review when you want medium execution, medium ease of use, and high output quality.

Static Analysis

Use Semgrep for static analysis when you want medium execution, medium ease of use, and high output quality.

Alternatives

Snyk

Developer security platform for scanning repositories, dependencies, and code for vulnerabilities with remediation guidance in CI and Git workflows.

Choose Snyk when your primary need is repository vulnerability scanning.

GitHub Advanced Security

GitHub-native security suite for code scanning and dependency vulnerability detection inside repository and pull-request workflows.

Choose GitHub Advanced Security when your primary need is github code scanning.

Next step

Run a baseline scan on your repo, review critical findings first, then tune rules to reduce noise.

Related reads

FAQ

What is Semgrep best for?

Semgrep is best for sast-style code scanning, security rule-based scanning, repository security reviews.

Is Semgrep beginner-friendly?

This catalog profile lists Semgrep at advanced skill level with medium ease of use.

What should I watch out for before choosing Semgrep?

Requires security/rule tuning for best results