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Cybersecurity · head to head

Semgrep vs Swagger/OpenAPI

Semgrep logo

Semgrep

Cybersecurity

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Swagger/OpenAPI logo

Swagger/OpenAPI

APIs

API specification and documentation framework using OpenAPI standard

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Semgrep free tier caps out at 10 contributors and 10 repositories.; Swagger/OpenAPI the OpenAPI Specification itself is licensed under Apache License 2.0 and free to use; SwaggerHub is a separate paid tool built on top of it
  • They diverge on capability: Semgrep covers Static code scanning, Swagger/OpenAPI covers OpenAPI Specification.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Semgrep and Swagger/OpenAPI actually diverge.

Attributes where Semgrep and Swagger/OpenAPI differ
AttributeSemgrepSwagger/OpenAPI
Platformsweb, api, linux, mac, windowsWeb, CLI, Desktop
CategoryCybersecurityAPIs
FoundedUnknown2001

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

Only in Swagger/OpenAPI

  • OpenAPI Specification
  • Interactive Documentation
  • Code Generation
  • GitHub
  • GitLab
  • Jenkins
  • IDE plugins
  • Web support

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

Swagger/OpenAPI

  • API Developmentnot Semgrep
  • API Gatewaynot Semgrep
  • API Testingnot Semgrep
  • API Documentationnot Semgrep
  • Microservicesnot 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.

Swagger/OpenAPI

  • The OpenAPI Specification itself is licensed under Apache License 2.0 and free to use; SwaggerHub is a separate paid tool built on top of it

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

Swagger/OpenAPI

Free
  • Open SourceFree
    • OpenAPI specification
    • Community tools
  • SwaggerHub FreeFree
    • Cloud editor
    • API mocking
    • API testing
  • SwaggerHub Pro$75/monthly
    • Team collaboration
    • Advanced mocking
    • Analytics

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 Swagger/OpenAPI if

  • You need openapi specification.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, CLI, Desktop.
  • You also want interactive documentation.
Swagger/OpenAPI review

Questions people ask

Is Semgrep or Swagger/OpenAPI better?
Neither clearly leads. Semgrep starts at Free and Swagger/OpenAPI at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Semgrep or Swagger/OpenAPI?
Semgrep starts at Free and Swagger/OpenAPI at Free.
Does Semgrep or Swagger/OpenAPI run on more platforms?
Semgrep runs on web, api, linux, mac, windows. Swagger/OpenAPI runs on Web, CLI, Desktop.
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 Swagger/OpenAPI is typically brought in for.
What can Semgrep do that Swagger/OpenAPI cannot?
Semgrep covers Static code scanning, Supply chain scanning, Secrets detection, Cross-file analysis. Swagger/OpenAPI covers OpenAPI Specification, Interactive Documentation, Code Generation, GitHub.

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
Swagger/OpenAPI: Is Swagger UI free to use?

Swagger UI is an open source tool with source code publicly available on GitHub at no cost. It is one of thousands of free open source projects in the Swagger ecosystem.

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
Swagger/OpenAPI: What commercial Swagger products are available beyond the open source tools?

Swagger offers Swagger for Teams for streamlined API workflow with interactive editors and hosted documentation, and Swagger Enterprise for organizations needing secure on-premise or cloud-based environments. Specific pricing requires contacting sales.

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
Swagger/OpenAPI: Are there commercial versions that build on the open source Swagger tools?

Yes, commercial Swagger products integrate the core functionality of Swagger open source tools (Editor, UI, and Codegen) with advanced capabilities for team collaboration, standards enforcement, and enterprise features.

Source
Semgrep: Is there special pricing for startups?

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

Source
Swagger/OpenAPI: Is there a trial available for Swagger commercial products?

A Start Trial call-to-action is available on the Swagger website, but specific trial duration and terms are not disclosed on the product pages.

Source
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