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Semgrep vs IBM QRadar

Semgrep logo

Semgrep

Software

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
IBM QRadar logo

IBM QRadar

Software

Intelligent security analytics for real-time visibility

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Semgrep has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Semgrep free tier caps out at 10 contributors and 10 repositories.; IBM QRadar listed on UK G-Cloud at £639 per unit, submitted directly by IBM United Kingdom Limited for IBM Security QRadar on Cloud SIEM (unit basis not further defined in the listing)
  • They diverge on capability: Semgrep covers Static code scanning, IBM QRadar covers AI-powered detection.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Semgrep and IBM QRadar actually diverge.

Attributes where Semgrep and IBM QRadar differ
AttributeSemgrepIBM QRadar
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo
Platformsweb, api, linux, mac, windowsWeb, Api
FoundedUnknown1911

Identical on both: 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 IBM QRadar

  • AI-powered detection
  • User behavior analytics
  • Network insights
  • Offense management
  • IBM X-Force threat intelligence
  • Federated search
  • Case management
  • Compliance templates

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 IBM QRadar
  • Detecting vulnerable open-source dependenciesnot IBM QRadar
  • Finding hardcoded secrets before code shipsnot IBM QRadar
  • Enforcing custom code standards with rule setsnot IBM QRadar
  • Prioritizing findings with AI-assisted triagenot IBM QRadar

IBM QRadar

  • Siemnot Semgrep
  • Security Analyticsnot Semgrep
  • Threat Intelligencenot Semgrep

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.

IBM QRadar

  • Listed on UK G-Cloud at £639 per unit, submitted directly by IBM United Kingdom Limited for IBM Security QRadar on Cloud SIEM (unit basis not further defined in the listing)

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

IBM QRadar

On request
  • QRadar SIEMFree
    • Event and flow processing
    • Offense management
    • Threat intelligence
  • QRadar CloudFree
    • Cloud-native deployment
    • Elastic scaling
    • Managed infrastructure
  • QRadar SuiteFree
    • SIEM + SOAR + XDR
    • Unified analyst experience
    • Federated search

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.
Semgrep review

Choose IBM QRadar if

  • You need ai-powered detection.
  • You work on Web, Api.
  • You also want user behavior analytics.
IBM QRadar review

Questions people ask

Is Semgrep or IBM QRadar better?
Neither clearly leads. Semgrep starts at Free and IBM QRadar at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Semgrep or IBM QRadar?
Semgrep has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Semgrep and On request for IBM QRadar.
Does Semgrep or IBM QRadar run on more platforms?
Semgrep runs on web, api, linux, mac, windows. IBM QRadar runs on Web, Api.
Can I use Semgrep for free?
Yes. Semgrep has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. IBM QRadar starts at On request.
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 IBM QRadar is typically brought in for.
What can Semgrep do that IBM QRadar cannot?
Semgrep covers Static code scanning, Supply chain scanning, Secrets detection, Cross-file analysis. IBM QRadar covers AI-powered detection, User behavior analytics, Network insights, Offense management.

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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