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Tanium vs Semgrep

Tanium logo

Tanium

Software

Unified platform for real-time endpoint management, security and compliance

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Semgrep logo

Semgrep

Software

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

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Semgrep has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Tanium no public pricing is published, requiring a sales engagement to get a quote.; Semgrep free tier caps out at 10 contributors and 10 repositories.
  • They diverge on capability: Tanium covers Real-time endpoint queries, Semgrep covers Static code scanning.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Tanium and Semgrep actually diverge.

Attributes where Tanium and Semgrep differ
AttributeTaniumSemgrep
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelquotefreemium
Free tierNoYes
Platformsweb, windows, mac, linux, apiweb, api, linux, mac, windows
Founded2007Unknown

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 Tanium

  • Real-time endpoint queries
  • Single lightweight agent
  • Linear Chain Architecture
  • Vulnerability management
  • AI-driven remediation
  • Threat hunting

Only in Semgrep

  • Static code scanning
  • Supply chain scanning
  • Secrets detection
  • Cross-file analysis
  • AI-powered triage and remediation
  • CI/CD integration

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Tanium

  • Getting real-time visibility into all endpoints across a large enterprisenot Semgrep
  • Patching operating systems and software at scale quicklynot Semgrep
  • Continuous vulnerability scanning and risk scoringnot Semgrep
  • Hunting for and remediating active threats across a fleetnot Semgrep

Semgrep

  • Scanning code for security vulnerabilities in CI/CDnot Tanium
  • Detecting vulnerable open-source dependenciesnot Tanium
  • Finding hardcoded secrets before code shipsnot Tanium
  • Enforcing custom code standards with rule setsnot Tanium
  • Prioritizing findings with AI-assisted triagenot Tanium

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Tanium

  • No public pricing is published, requiring a sales engagement to get a quote.
  • Aimed at large enterprises, making it impractical for small teams or budgets.
  • Deployment and configuration of the agent-based architecture requires significant IT expertise.
  • Full value depends on adopting multiple Tanium modules, which can increase cost and complexity versus point solutions.

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.

Pricing, plan by plan

Tanium

On request
  • Enterprise$undefined/mo
    • Custom endpoint volume pricing
    • Full platform modules
    • Dedicated support

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

Which should you pick?

Choose Tanium if

  • You need real-time endpoint queries.
  • You work on web, windows, mac, linux, api.
  • You also want single lightweight agent.
Tanium review

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

Questions people ask

Is Tanium or Semgrep better?
Neither clearly leads. Tanium starts at On request and Semgrep at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Tanium or Semgrep?
Semgrep has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Tanium and Free for Semgrep.
Does Tanium or Semgrep run on more platforms?
Tanium runs on web, windows, mac, linux, api. Semgrep runs on web, api, linux, mac, windows.
Can I use Semgrep for free?
Yes. Semgrep has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Tanium starts at On request.
What is Tanium best used for?
Tanium is most often used for getting real-time visibility into all endpoints across a large enterprise, patching operating systems and software at scale quickly, continuous vulnerability scanning and risk scoring, hunting for and remediating active threats across a fleet. Of those, getting real-time visibility into all endpoints across a large enterprise and patching operating systems and software at scale quickly are not what Semgrep is typically brought in for.
What can Tanium do that Semgrep cannot?
Tanium covers Real-time endpoint queries, Single lightweight agent, Linear Chain Architecture, Vulnerability management. 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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