Semgrep is an application security platform that combines static analysis, software composition analysis, and secrets detection for development teams. It is built for developers and security teams who need to catch vulnerabilities before code ships. The platform targets a common problem in AppSec tooling: traditional scanners generate too many false positives, which slows down pull requests and creates triage backlogs.
Semgrep runs lightweight scanning engines directly inside existing developer workflows, including IDEs, command-line interfaces, and CI/CD pipelines. For static analysis, it uses rule-based pattern matching combined with AI reasoning to detect both classic flaws, such as XSS and SQL injection, and logic-based flaws like broken authorization. For open-source dependencies, it performs reachability analysis to confirm whether a vulnerable function is actually called by the application.
A key differentiator is the platform’s focus on developer experience. Findings, remediation instructions, and code fix suggestions appear directly inside pull request comments and IDEs rather than in a separate dashboard. Semgrep also builds an AI-based organizational memory, recording past triage decisions so similar false positives are automatically suppressed in the future.
Semgrep Guardian extends this coverage into AI-assisted development. Through an MCP server, hooks, and skills, it scans code generated inside AI coding agents such as Claude Code, Cursor, and Windsurf, checking for vulnerabilities, secrets, and hallucinated packages before a pull request is opened.
Pricing
Semgrep offers a Free Edition for up to 10 contributors, covering both Code and Supply Chain scanning at no cost, though it excludes semantic secrets analysis and RBAC. The Teams plan is billed per contributor, starting at $30 per month for Code, $30 per month for Supply Chain, and $15 per month for Secrets. Enterprise pricing is custom and adds unlimited contributors, on-premises source control support, and dedicated infrastructure. A contributor is defined as anyone who committed to a scanned private repository in the past 90 days, and discounted pricing is available for startups and security consultants.
* Disclaimer: Please note that pricing information may not be up to date. For the most accurate and current pricing details, refer to the official website.
Key Features
- ✓
Multimodal AI detection combines static analysis with LLM reasoning for complex logic flaws
- ✓
Codebase-aware reachability analysis filters out non-exploitable dependency vulnerabilities
- ✓
Semantic secrets scanning with local validation against live third-party services
- ✓
AI organizational memory suppresses recurring false positives after human triage
- ✓
Automated PR remediation with spot-checkable autofix code snippets
- ✓
Semgrep Guardian scans AI-generated code inside coding agents via MCP server
Use Cases
Eliminating SAST False-Positive Fatigue
AppSec teams often spend hours auditing noisy alerts from legacy scanners lacking code context. Semgrep Multimodal uses AI memories from past triage decisions to automatically suppress repeat false positives, cutting triage noise significantly once activated.
Prioritizing Exploitable Open-Source Vulnerabilities
Teams using third-party packages often face thousands of CVE alerts for code their application never actually calls. Semgrep Supply Chain runs reachability analysis to confirm whether a vulnerable function is executed, letting teams focus on real risk.
Preventing Valid Credential Leaks
Developers can accidentally commit active API keys or passwords into version control. Semgrep Secrets validates whether a credential is live and can block unsafe merges through pre-commit hooks and IDE feedback.
Securing AI-Generated Code
Engineers using AI coding agents may introduce hallucinated libraries or hardcoded secrets without noticing. Semgrep Guardian connects to tools like Claude Code, Cursor, and Windsurf to scan every generated line before a pull request opens.
Managing Automated Dependency Remediations
Updating vulnerable packages can introduce breaking changes developers hesitate to handle manually. Semgrep Supply Chain provides autofix pull requests and line-level breaking change detection to streamline safer upgrades.
Strengths & Weaknesses
Strengths
Reachability analysis reduces false positives in high and critical SCA findings by up to 98 percent.
Findings and remediation guidance appear directly inside PR comments and IDEs, reducing developer friction.
Secret validation happens locally, so credentials are never sent to Semgrep’s cloud servers.
Semgrep Guardian offers purpose-built protection against risks introduced by AI coding assistants.
A free tier covers up to 10 contributors with Pro rules and CI/CD support.
Weaknesses
The Free Edition caps scans at 10 private repositories and 10 contributors, with no RBAC.
The standard Teams plan does not support self-managed or on-premises repositories.
Custom AI model provider support is only available on the Enterprise tier.
Contributor-based billing can scale costs quickly for large or high-turnover engineering teams.
Who Is This For?
Application Security Engineers: automated triage memories and reachability analysis let teams scale oversight without blocking release velocity.
Software Developers and Engineering Leads: findings appear where they already work, with clear remediation guidance and spot-checkable fixes.
CISOs and Security Leaders: unified visibility across human and AI-generated code supports compliance efforts including SOC2, HIPAA, and PCI.
Engineers Using AI Coding Assistants: Semgrep Guardian checks code from Claude Code, Cursor, and Windsurf for hallucinated packages and leaked secrets.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Semgrep define a billable contributor?
A contributor is anyone who made at least one commit to a scanned private repository in the past 90 days.
Is my private source code sent to Semgrep’s servers?
When run locally or in CI, only scan metadata leaves your environment. AI-powered triage sends only the relevant code snippet to an LLM provider, which is contractually barred from training on it.
What is included in the Free Edition?
The Free Edition covers Code and Supply Chain scanning for up to 10 contributors and 10 private repositories, with unlimited public repos and Pro rules.
Can Semgrep scan self-managed or on-premises repositories?
On-premises source control is only supported on the Enterprise plan; the standard Teams plan does not include it.
What is the difference between private rules and Semgrep Pro rules?
Private rules are custom rules an organization writes for its own internal registry. Pro rules are proprietary rules built by Semgrep’s research team for broader language coverage.
How does Secrets validation avoid leaking credentials?
Validation requests are sent directly from local infrastructure to the third-party service’s API, so the token itself is never sent to Semgrep.
Which programming languages does Semgrep support?
Semgrep supports over 35 programming languages, using Pro rules from Semgrep’s research team alongside community and custom rulesets.
Does Semgrep integrate with ticketing and notification tools?
Yes, findings can route into Jira for backlog tracking, and alerts can be sent through Slack and email.
Can startups or independent consultants get discounted pricing?
Yes, Semgrep offers special pricing for early-stage startups and independent security consultants who contact their sales team.
What is Semgrep Multimodal?
Semgrep Multimodal combines rule-based static analysis with LLM reasoning to find complex logic flaws while filtering false positives using organization-specific memory.
Semgrep integrates with GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, and Azure DevOps for repository onboarding and PR checks. It offers IDE plugins for VS Code and JetBrains, and connects with AI coding agents including Claude Code, Cursor, and Windsurf through Semgrep Guardian. Additional integrations include Jira for ticketing, Slack and email for notifications, and Wiz, Palo Alto Networks Cortex, Sysdig, and StackHawk for cloud and DAST context on Teams and Enterprise plans. A CLI and REST API support programmatic scanning and custom CI/CD pipelines.