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Software · head to head

Semgrep vs Keygen

Semgrep logo

Semgrep

Software

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
K

Keygen

Software

Open, source-available software licensing API

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.; Keygen cloud hosted plans start at $995 per month billed per domain, a floor aimed at established software vendors rather than solo developers

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Semgrep and Keygen actually diverge.

Attributes where Semgrep and Keygen differ
AttributeSemgrepKeygen
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo
Platformsweb, api, linux, mac, windowsWeb

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 Keygen

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

Keygen

No use cases recorded yet. See the Keygen 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.

Keygen

  • Cloud hosted plans start at $995 per month billed per domain, a floor aimed at established software vendors rather than solo developers

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

Keygen

On request

No published plan breakdown. See the Keygen 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.
Semgrep review

Choose Keygen if

Nothing in the data separates Keygen from Semgrep on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.

Keygen review

Questions people ask

Is Semgrep or Keygen better?
Neither clearly leads. Semgrep starts at Free and Keygen at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Semgrep or Keygen?
Semgrep has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Semgrep and On request for Keygen.
Does Semgrep or Keygen run on more platforms?
Semgrep runs on web, api, linux, mac, windows. Keygen runs on Web.
Can I use Semgrep for free?
Yes. Semgrep has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Keygen 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 Keygen is typically brought in for.
What can Semgrep do that Keygen 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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