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Cybersecurity · head to head

Semgrep vs SonarQube Cloud

Semgrep logo

Semgrep

Cybersecurity

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
SonarQube Cloud logo

SonarQube Cloud

Software Development

Cloud-based static code analysis for detecting bugs, vulnerabilities, and code smells.

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Semgrep free tier caps out at 10 contributors and 10 repositories.; SonarQube Cloud free tier limited to 50k lines of code for private projects.
  • They diverge on capability: Semgrep covers Static code scanning, SonarQube Cloud covers Static code analysis.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 29 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Semgrep and SonarQube Cloud actually diverge.

Attributes where Semgrep and SonarQube Cloud differ
AttributeSemgrepSonarQube Cloud
Platformsweb, api, linux, mac, windowsweb, api
CategoryCybersecuritySoftware Development

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

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
  • Cross-file analysis
  • AI-powered triage and remediation
  • CI/CD integration

Only in SonarQube Cloud

  • Static code analysis
  • Pull request decoration
  • AI-driven code fixes
  • Compliance reporting
  • SCM integration

Both cover

  • Secrets detection

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

SonarQube Cloud

  • Enforcing code quality gates on pull requestsnot Semgrep
  • Detecting security vulnerabilities in cloud-hosted repositoriesnot Semgrep
  • Scanning for exposed secrets before mergenot Semgrep
  • Meeting compliance standards like PCI DSSnot Semgrep
  • Tracking code quality trends across teamsnot 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.

SonarQube Cloud

  • Free tier limited to 50k lines of code for private projects.
  • Base Team pricing only covers up to 100,000 lines of code before extra charges apply.
  • Enterprise-grade compliance features require a custom-quoted Enterprise plan.
  • Primarily analysis-focused; lacks the runtime and cloud-workload protection of full CNAPP platforms.

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

SonarQube Cloud

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Private project up to 50k lines of code
    • Public/open-source projects free
  • Team$34/month
    • Up to 100,000 lines of code
    • 30+ languages
    • Bug and vulnerability detection
  • Enterprise$undefined/month
    • Advanced security reports
    • Audit logs
    • SSO/SCIM

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 SonarQube Cloud if

  • You need static code analysis.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on web, api.
  • You also want pull request decoration.
SonarQube Cloud review

Questions people ask

Is Semgrep or SonarQube Cloud better?
Neither clearly leads. Semgrep starts at Free and SonarQube Cloud at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Semgrep or SonarQube Cloud?
Semgrep starts at Free and SonarQube Cloud at Free.
Does Semgrep or SonarQube Cloud run on more platforms?
Semgrep runs on web, api, linux, mac, windows. SonarQube Cloud runs on web, api.
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 SonarQube Cloud is typically brought in for.
What can Semgrep do that SonarQube Cloud cannot?
Semgrep covers Static code scanning, Supply chain scanning, Cross-file analysis, AI-powered triage and remediation. SonarQube Cloud covers Static code analysis, Pull request decoration, AI-driven code fixes, Compliance reporting. Both handle Secrets detection.

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
SonarQube Cloud: What does SonarQube Cloud cost?

The Team plan starts at $34/month for up to 100,000 lines of code, while Enterprise pricing is custom and quoted annually with additional compliance and SSO features.

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
SonarQube Cloud: Is there a free plan, and what are its limits?

Yes, the free tier lets you explore SonarQube Cloud on a private project up to a maximum of 50,000 lines of code; public projects are free.

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
SonarQube Cloud: How is usage metered?

Billing is based on lines of code in the largest branch of a project; how often analysis runs does not affect the price.

Source
Semgrep: Is there special pricing for startups?

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

Source
SonarQube Cloud: Can I change or cancel my plan?

There is no commitment on the Team plan, and customers can downgrade to the free tier at any time.

Source
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