Semgrep vs Codacy
Semgrep and Codacy are both popular tools in the Code Review & Testing space. Both use a freemium pricing model, with Semgrep starting at Free and Codacy at Free. Both offer a free tier to get started. Below we break down features, pricing, strengths, and weaknesses to help you decide which tool fits your workflow best.
Last updated: March 2026
Quick Verdict
Choose Semgrep if you want fast, customizable static analysis for finding bugs and security issues. Semgrep's biggest strengths include extremely fast performance compared to traditional sast tools and easy-to-write custom rules without deep ast knowledge. It's also rated higher (4.3 vs 3.7). Choose Codacy if you prefer automated code review and quality management for development teams.. Key advantages include broad language coverage with 40+ languages and free for open-source projects.
Fast, customizable static analysis for finding bugs and security issues
Automated code review and quality management for development teams.
| Semgrep | Codacy | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free | Free |
| Free Tier | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Rating | ★ 4.3 | ★ 3.7 |
| Categories | Code Review & Testing | Code Review & Testing |
| Key Features | 6 features | 6 features |
| Feature | Semgrep | Codacy |
|---|---|---|
| Pattern-based code scanning across 30+ programming languages | ✓ | — |
| Custom rule creation with intuitive YAML syntax | ✓ | — |
| Thousands of pre-built security and code quality rules | ✓ | — |
| CI/CD integration with GitHub Actions, GitLab, and more | ✓ | — |
| Fast local scanning with minimal false positives | ✓ | — |
| Differential scanning to analyze only changed code | ✓ | — |
| Automated code review on every commit and PR | — | ✓ |
| Support for 40+ programming languages | — | ✓ |
| Security vulnerability scanning | — | ✓ |
| Code duplication detection | — | ✓ |
| Complexity and maintainability metrics | — | ✓ |
| Organization-wide quality dashboards | — | ✓ |
Semgrep
Pros
- + Extremely fast performance compared to traditional SAST tools
- + Easy-to-write custom rules without deep AST knowledge
- + Strong open-source community with extensive rule library
- + Privacy-first with local scanning and no code upload required
Cons
- − Advanced features like cross-file analysis require paid plans
- − Learning curve for writing complex multi-pattern rules
- − Language support maturity varies across different ecosystems
Codacy
Pros
- + Broad language coverage with 40+ languages
- + Free for open-source projects
- + Comprehensive quality metrics beyond just bugs
- + Easy setup with minimal configuration
Cons
- − Can be noisy with default configuration
- − Some rules may not align with team preferences
- − Dashboard can be overwhelming for small teams
The Bottom Line
Choose Semgrep if: you want fast, customizable static analysis for finding bugs and security issues. It's completely free to use. It holds a higher user rating (4.3 vs 3.7). Keep in mind: advanced features like cross-file analysis require paid plans.
Choose Codacy if: you prefer automated code review and quality management for development teams.. It's completely free to use. Keep in mind: can be noisy with default configuration.
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