Static Code Analysis
Code Security
Amartya Jha
• 26 November 2024
Static Application Security Testing (SAST) is a very important component in modern software development. As a developer, you have been stuck in identifying security flaws early in the development cycle. This is where SAST tools come into play.
SAST tools are designed to identify security vulnerabilities before the source code is compiled, that is in the development phase. They analyze your bytecode, source code, and binaries for vulnerabilities without executing the program.
Think of them as an automated code reviewer.
By adding SAST tools to your dev pipeline, you can:
Detecting vulnerabilities early
Improve code quality
Meet compliance requirements
In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the top 13 SAST tools.
Let’s take a look.
Codeant AI reviews the code using AI. The AI detects bugs, security vulnerabilities, and code quality issues in real-time. It integrates with popular platforms like GitHub and GitLab and it automates fixes and summarizes pull requests.
Best for: Teams of all sizes. Majorly for enterprises seeking robust automation and security.
Real-time SAST (Static Application Security Testing) analysis and auto-fixing.
Custom rules to enforce coding guidelines.
Analyze and auto-fix code quality issues.
Identify complex functions and dead code such as files, classes, and imports.
Detect duplicate code and generate contextual docstrings.
Create custom rules and gain insights into code health.
Detects and protects sensitive information like API keys.
Works with CI/CD tools and Slack for seamless notifications.
Supports over 30 programming languages and 80 frameworks.
A mix of AI-driven auto-fixing and pull request management makes it a unique choice for increasing productivity.
Cuts code review time by 50%.
Maintains data privacy—no code storage or reuse.
Ensures compliance with industry standards (SOC 2, HIPAA certified).
There is a free 7-day trial and then pricing starts at just $10/mo/user and $15/mo/user for AI Code Review, Code Quality Platform, and Code Security Platform, plans respectively.
Checkmarx
Checkmarx is a top SAST platform that stands out in 2025, it offers comprehensive security testing throughout the software development lifecycle (SDLC). Its integration across CI/CD pipelines ensures early detection of vulnerabilities.
Best for: Ideal for enterprises with complex software environments.
Supports multiple programming languages.
Seamless integration with CI/CD tools like Jenkins.
Advanced compliance reporting.
Compliance ready with OWASP Top 10, PCI DSS, and GDPR standards
Checkmarx can scan proprietary and third-party code simultaneously. Also, it detects vulnerabilities early. Checkmarx is for organizations where security, scalability, and compliance are non-negotiable.
Snyk Code
Snyk code is a leading SAST tool that is designed keeping developers in mind. Snyk prioritizes real-time detection without disturbing the current workflows. As it focuses majorly on the developer's needs, this tool helps teams catch and resolve vulnerabilities earlier in SDLC.
Who It’s For: Small to large development teams looking for in-workflow security solutions that prioritize speed and accuracy.
Delivers results in seconds as it can integrate directly with all the major IDEs.
Includes proprietary code, open-source libraries, and cloud environments.
Uses symbolic AI and machine learning for precise recommendations.
Snyk’s developer-first approach ensures minimal disruption, and its built-in prioritization helps teams focus on critical issues first.
Snyk Code is perfect for fast-moving teams that want to add security directly into their development workflow.
Snyk has a free plan with limited tests; it’s paid plan starts from $25/month/product for up to 10 developers.
Veracode
Veracode stands out among static application security testing tools with its cloud-based automated analysis solution that prioritizes ease of use and scalability.
Who It’s For: Enterprises seeking a scalable and centralized solution.
Comprehensive SAST: Identifies vulnerabilities in proprietary and third-party code.
Centralized Management: Provides unified reporting and metrics across projects.
Cloud-Based: No complex installations or infrastructure management is required.
It is its holistic approach to application security. Not only does it do static application security testing (SAST), but it also excels in dynamic application security testing (DAST).
This comprehensive solution allows development teams to address security concerns throughout the entire software development lifecycle.
Their pricing is dynamic, with a $52K+ average contract value for enterprises.
GitLab
GitLab has built-in SAST features so you can secure applications in the DevOps lifecycle. It also automates vulnerability detection directly within CI/CD pipelines.
Who It’s For: Teams already using GitLab for version control and CI/CD, looking to streamline security testing.
Native CI/CD Integration: No additional setup is required for GitLab users.
Comprehensive Reports: summarizes issues directly in the merge request.
Language Support: Covers popular languages like Python, JavaScript, and Ruby.
As a native GitLab feature, it offers unparalleled ease of use for GitLab users, ensuring security is part of the development flow.
GitLab’s SAST module is kid stuff for teams already in the GitLab ecosystem.
It has 3 plans: free, premium, and ultimate. SAST is supported in all the plans, but for excessive usage, you would need the Ultimate plan, which can start at $99/mo/developer.
Semgrep
Semgrep is a lightweight and flexible SAST tool that combines the simplicity of grep with the power of static analysis. It’s open-source and highly customizable, making it popular among developers who need quick, on-the-spot security and quality checks.
Who It’s For: Developers and teams needing a fast, customizable SAST tool with minimal setup.
High-precision scanning: Semgrep's advanced algorithms provide accurate results with minimal false positives.
Language support: supports a wide range of programming languages.
Customizable rules: Tailor the tool to your specific security needs and coding standards.
CI/CD integration: seamlessly fits into your existing development workflow for continuous security checks.
Its simplicity, flexibility, and being open source.
Semgrep is a practical, developer-friendly tool for those who need powerful static analysis without the complexity.
It has three plans with $40/mo/contributor for Semgrep cod and Semgrep supply chain and $20/mo/contributor for Semgrep Secrets.
JIT
JIT.io’s SAST module focuses on embedding security into the heart of development processes. It is designed with a “Security as Code” philosophy.
Who It’s For: Development teams prioritizing speed and security in CI/CD workflows. Mainly in cloud-native or containerized environments.
DevOps Integration: Works seamlessly with CI/CD pipelines like GitHub Actions, GitLab, and Jenkins.
Customizable Policies: Allows teams to define security rules
Real-Time Alerts: Notifies developers instantly
Language Support: Covers modern languages, frameworks, and cloud infrastructure.
Integration with Semgrep
JIT.io focuses on developer usability and automation.
Jit.io Pricing: It has a free plan with 3 developers; for 4+ developers, you will be charged around $50/mo/developer (if billed annually).
Myrror Security
Myrror Security is a comprehensive AppSec platform designed to tackle modern threats like supply chain attacks, vulnerability prioritization, and efficient remediation. Myrror's solution focuses on OSS Protection, CI/CD security, and code-level security.
Who It’s For: Great for organizations aiming to maintain software integrity while managing third-party risks. Companies particularly in sectors like healthcare, finance, or related where compliance and robust security are needed.
SAST (Static Code Analysis): Learns application patterns to provide tailored vulnerability detection.
Reachability SCA (Software Composition Analysis): Reduces false positives by verifying vulnerability exploitation within code.
Supply Chain Attack Detection: Identifies risks from third-party and open-source components using patent-pending Binary-to-Source technology.
SBOM (Software Bill of Materials): Generates and imports detailed SBOMs, ensuring transparency across software components.
Remediation Plan Generator: Provides developers with contextual, step-by-step fix plans to reduce MTTR (mean time to remediate).
Myrror's unique mix of binary-to-source analysis and contextual vulnerability sets it apart by minimizing the developer load.
Parasoft
Parasoft stands out as a leading provider of static application security testing tools, mainly for C/C++ software development. Its robust static code analysis technology delivers high-quality results.
One of Parasoft's key strengths is its C/C++test tool, which has earned pre-approval from the Department of Defense as a trusted static application security testing tool.
Who It’s For: Parasoft caters to, development teams, regulated industries (like automotive, medical, and aerospace), and organizations with legacy systems.
Static Code Analysis: Proactively detects vulnerabilities and code quality issues.
Simplifies testing workflows with tools like Jtest and dotTEST.
Simulates complex systems, reducing dependency on real services during testing.
Tools like Parasoft Selenic optimize and maintain Selenium test suites automatically.
Pricing only available on request, but sources say it would cost around $50K+ annually.
CodeScene
CodeScene specializes in behavioral code analysis, providing insights into technical debt, team productivity, and code quality trends. It is more than SAST and also offers predictive analytics.
Who It’s For: Organizations focused on long-term code health and reducing technical debt.
Identifies hotspots in the codebase.
Forecasts delivery risks based on coding patterns.
Tracks team contributions and bottlenecks.
It offers a holistic view of code and process quality.
CodeScene is a strategic tool for sustainable and healthy development practices.
CodeScene Pricing: Free for open-source projects. Has three plans, standard, pro, and enterprise, that cost €18/mo/author and €27/mo/author, respectively.
Qodana
Qodana is a static code analysis tool developed by JetBrains. Its major focus is providing real-time feedback to devs by integrating JetBrains products.
Who It’s For: Perfect for JetBrains IDE users who want to improve code quality and security without disturbing their current workflow.
Works natively within JetBrains IDEs for seamless usage.
Allows the creation of tailored rule sets for specific project requirements.
Supports CI/CD pipelines
Wide Language Support: Covers Java, Kotlin, JavaScript, and more.
Its ability to align with JetBrains' ecosystem makes it a favorite for existing users.
It has 60 days of free trials and after that, it starts from $5/mo/dev
Kiuwan
Kiuwan provides a cloud-based platform for static application security testing (SAST) and software composition analysis (SCA). It is another tough SAST tool like CodeAnt and Veracode.
End-to-end Security: covers proprietary code, open-source components, and infrastructure.
Compliance Ready: Follows standards like ISO 27001, GDPR, and PCI DSS.
Offers prioritized remediation tasks to address critical issues.
Works with Jenkins, GitLab, and Jira for smooth workflows.
Enterprises with sensitive data requiring application compliance.
Kiuwan’s dual focus on code security and compliance management is something that sets it apart for the health, retail, and finance sectors.
Starts from $599 for SAST Scans and $1199 for SCA Scans.
Klocwork
Klocwork stands out as a powerful static application security testing tool designed for developers who demand robust code analysis without sacrificing speed.
Cross-platform support for C, C++, C#, and Java
Integration with popular IDEs and CI/CD pipelines
Advanced data flow analysis for accurate vulnerability detection
Customizable rule sets to match specific coding standards
Its incremental analysis capability allows for lightning-fast scans and its feature to provide actionable remediation advice directly within the developer's workflow.
Klocwork is a reliable choice for teams working on safety-critical applications, where nothing is greater than compliance and precision.
It has a free plan. Pricing is very dynamic as it can only be requested.
Takeaway
Here is a simple image explanation for you for all the tools we have discussed above.
You now have a comprehensive overview of the leading solutions available to enhance your application security. Remember, the best tool for your team depends on your specific use case, as your needs, tech stack, and security goals would be different than others.
All the tools we mentioned above come with a free demo or a trial; experiment with each of them and see what perfectly fits your organization.
There are more tools in the market in this category, in our upcoming posts we will talk about them, these tools are leading currently so we have included them.
Thank you for reading.
