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Software · head to head

Semgrep vs Cisco Duo

Semgrep logo

Semgrep

Software

Open-source static analysis tool for finding security bugs and enforcing code standards.

From
Free
Rated
-
Cisco Duo logo

Cisco Duo

Software

Trusted access for all users, all devices

From
Free
Rated
-

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Semgrep free tier caps out at 10 contributors and 10 repositories.; Cisco Duo free tier caps at 10 users; every paid tier requires a minimum of 10 users

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Semgrep and Cisco Duo actually diverge.

Attributes where Semgrep and Cisco Duo differ
AttributeSemgrepCisco Duo
Platformsweb, api, linux, mac, windowsWeb

Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (freemium), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Semgrep

  • Static code scanning
  • Supply chain scanning
  • Secrets detection
  • Cross-file analysis
  • AI-powered triage and remediation
  • CI/CD integration

Only in Cisco Duo

Nothing recorded that Semgrep does not also cover.

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Semgrep

  • Scanning code for security vulnerabilities in CI/CDnot Cisco Duo
  • Detecting vulnerable open-source dependenciesnot Cisco Duo
  • Finding hardcoded secrets before code shipsnot Cisco Duo
  • Enforcing custom code standards with rule setsnot Cisco Duo
  • Prioritizing findings with AI-assisted triagenot Cisco Duo

Cisco Duo

No use cases recorded yet. See the Cisco Duo review.

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Semgrep

  • Free tier caps out at 10 contributors and 10 repositories.
  • Secrets scanning is priced as a separate module ($15/contributor) from Code and Supply Chain.
  • Self-managed repositories and custom CI/CD require the Enterprise tier.
  • AI credits are limited per tier and additional usage requires upgrading.

Cisco Duo

  • Free tier caps at 10 users; every paid tier requires a minimum of 10 users
  • Licenses cannot be bought individually above the free tier: under 100 users they are sold in increments of 10, and over 100 users in increments of 25
  • Duo Premier, the top tier with the most adaptive access controls, costs $9 per user per month on top of the per-increment purchase requirement

Pricing, plan by plan

Semgrep

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Up to 10 contributors
    • Code and Supply Chain scanning
    • 60 AI credits total
  • Teams$30/month
    • Code, Supply Chain, or Secrets scanning per contributor
    • Pro rules
    • AI-powered triage and remediation
  • Enterprise$undefined/month
    • On-prem support
    • Custom CI/CD
    • 50 AI credits per developer/month

Cisco Duo

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Cisco Duo review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Semgrep if

  • You need static code scanning.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on web, api, linux, mac, windows.
  • You also want supply chain scanning.

Choose Cisco Duo if

  • You want to start without paying.

Questions people ask

Is Semgrep or Cisco Duo better?
Neither clearly leads. Semgrep starts at Free and Cisco Duo at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Semgrep or Cisco Duo?
Semgrep starts at Free and Cisco Duo at Free.
Does Semgrep or Cisco Duo run on more platforms?
Semgrep runs on web, api, linux, mac, windows. Cisco Duo runs on Web.
Can I use Semgrep for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Semgrep best used for?
Semgrep is most often used for scanning code for security vulnerabilities in ci/cd, detecting vulnerable open-source dependencies, finding hardcoded secrets before code ships, enforcing custom code standards with rule sets. Of those, scanning code for security vulnerabilities in ci/cd and detecting vulnerable open-source dependencies are not what Cisco Duo is typically brought in for.
What can Semgrep do that Cisco Duo cannot?
Semgrep covers Static code scanning, Supply chain scanning, Secrets detection, Cross-file analysis.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Semgrep: What does Semgrep cost?

The Free edition covers up to 10 contributors; Teams starts at $30/contributor/month for Code scanning (Supply Chain also $30, Secrets $15); Enterprise is custom-priced.

Source
Semgrep: Is there a free plan, and what are its limits?

Yes, the Free edition supports up to 10 contributors and 10 repositories with Code and Supply Chain scanning plus 60 AI credits total.

Source
Semgrep: How is usage metered?

Pricing is per contributor, defined as someone who made at least one commit to a scanned private repository in the past 90 days.

Source
Semgrep: Is there special pricing for startups?

Yes, Semgrep offers special startup pricing upon request for early-stage companies.

Source
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