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Cybersecurity · head to head

Semgrep vs Splunk Enterprise Security

Semgrep logo

Semgrep

Cybersecurity

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Splunk Enterprise Security logo

Splunk Enterprise Security

Cybersecurity

The platform for operational intelligence

From
On request
Rated
-

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.; Splunk Enterprise Security splunk Enterprise Security is licensed separately from the Splunk platform, so a SIEM deployment needs both
  • They diverge on capability: Semgrep covers Static code scanning, Splunk Enterprise Security covers Security monitoring.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Semgrep and Splunk Enterprise Security actually diverge.

Attributes where Semgrep and Splunk Enterprise Security differ
AttributeSemgrepSplunk Enterprise Security
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo
Platformsweb, api, linux, mac, windowsWeb, Api
FoundedUnknown2003

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Cybersecurity).

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 Splunk Enterprise Security

  • Security monitoring
  • Incident review
  • Risk-based alerting
  • Threat intelligence
  • Investigation workbench
  • MITRE ATT&CK mapping
  • Automated response
  • Compliance reporting

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

Splunk Enterprise Security

  • Running a security operations centre on Splunk indexed log datanot Semgrep
  • Correlation searches, risk based alerting and incident investigationnot Semgrep
  • Compliance reporting from pooled security telemetrynot 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.

Splunk Enterprise Security

  • Splunk Enterprise Security is licensed separately from the Splunk platform, so a SIEM deployment needs both
  • Splunk publishes no rate for Enterprise Security and directs buyers to contact a pricing expert
  • UEBA, SOAR and automated threat analysis require the Premier edition rather than Essentials
  • The platform underneath can be billed by ingest volume, workload or activity, so the total cost depends on a pricing model chosen at contract time rather than a list price

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

Splunk Enterprise Security

On request
  • Workload PricingFree
    • Pay per compute
    • Flexible scaling
    • All features
  • Ingest PricingFree
    • Pay per GB ingested
    • Predictable costs
    • All features
  • Entity PricingFree
    • Pay per monitored entity
    • Security focused
    • All features

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 Splunk Enterprise Security if

  • You need security monitoring.
  • You work on Web, Api.
  • You also want incident review.

Questions people ask

Is Semgrep or Splunk Enterprise Security better?
Neither clearly leads. Semgrep starts at Free and Splunk Enterprise Security at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Semgrep or Splunk Enterprise Security?
Semgrep has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Semgrep and On request for Splunk Enterprise Security.
Does Semgrep or Splunk Enterprise Security run on more platforms?
Semgrep runs on web, api, linux, mac, windows. Splunk Enterprise Security runs on Web, Api.
Can I use Semgrep for free?
Yes. Semgrep has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Splunk Enterprise Security 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 Splunk Enterprise Security is typically brought in for.
What can Semgrep do that Splunk Enterprise Security cannot?
Semgrep covers Static code scanning, Supply chain scanning, Secrets detection, Cross-file analysis. Splunk Enterprise Security covers Security monitoring, Incident review, Risk-based alerting, Threat intelligence.

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
Splunk Enterprise Security: How much does Splunk Enterprise Security cost?

Splunk Enterprise Security pricing is not published. The product is available in Essentials Edition with threat detection, investigation, and response capabilities, and Premier Edition with UEBA, SOAR, and Automated Threat Analysis. Customers must contact Splunk sales for pricing quotes on either edition.

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
Splunk Enterprise Security: What editions of Splunk Enterprise Security are available?

Splunk Enterprise Security offers Essentials Edition with threat detection, investigation, and response capabilities, and Premier Edition which adds UEBA (User and Entity Behavior Analytics), SOAR (Security Orchestration, Automation and Response), and Automated Threat Analysis.

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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