Compare / Comparison / Security scanning for AI-built apps

Semgrep vs GitHub Advanced Security

Matt Turley, Continuum. Updated 2026-11-05.

We sell Continuum Ship Check, so we say where the other options fit better. Links to other companies go to their own sites and carry no affiliate codes.

The short answer

Semgrep vs GitHub Advanced Security

Neither is better for everyone. Semgrep suits teams that want to write or tune their own code-pattern rules and run scans locally. GitHub Advanced Security (Secret Protection and Code Security) suits teams already hosting code on GitHub that want scanning inside the same platform.

Semgrep vs GitHub Advanced Security (Secret Protection and Code Security) at a glance

This page compares Semgrep and GitHub Advanced Security (Secret Protection and Code Security) using only what the sources below say about each. Where one is the better pick for a situation, we say which and why.

Semgrep and GitHub Advanced Security (Secret Protection and Code Security) side by side, from the cited sources.
Semgrep and GitHub Advanced Security (Secret Protection and Code Security) side by side, from the cited sources.
QuestionSemgrepGitHub Advanced Security (Secret Protection and Code Security)
What it isAn open-source static analysis tool that searches code for bugs and enforces security guardrails, with code analysis running locally by default. [1]GitHub unbundled Advanced Security into Secret Protection and Code Security, billed per active committer. [2]
Confirmed priceCommunity Edition (open source engine) $0 [1]GitHub Secret Protection $19 per month per active committer [2]; GitHub Code Security $30 per month per active committer [2]
Free planYes, per the sourcesNot shown in the sources we read
SuitsTeams that want to write or tune their own code-pattern rules and run scans locally.Teams already hosting code on GitHub that want scanning inside the same platform.

We read each source on 2026-11-05. Prices and limits change often, so confirm on the vendor's own page before you buy. A figure marked "one source only" was not matched by a second publisher.

When to pick each one

Pick Semgrep if it matches your situation

Choose Semgrep over GitHub Advanced Security (Secret Protection and Code Security) for teams that want to write or tune their own code-pattern rules and run scans locally.

What the sources say about Semgrep:

  • Semgrep Code supports 30+ languages, including Python, JavaScript, TypeScript, Java, Go, C, C++, Ruby and Rust.[1]
  • Semgrep Supply Chain supports dependency scanning for 12 languages across 15 package managers.[1]
  • By default, code is never uploaded because analysis runs locally.[1]

Pick GitHub Advanced Security (Secret Protection and Code Security) if it matches your situation

Choose GitHub Advanced Security (Secret Protection and Code Security) over Semgrep for teams already hosting code on GitHub that want scanning inside the same platform.

What the sources say about GitHub Advanced Security (Secret Protection and Code Security):

  • GitHub Team plan customers can buy Secret Protection and Code Security without upgrading to GitHub Enterprise.[2]

Limits and things to check

Semgrep

The sources we read state no limits for this one. That does not mean it has none.

GitHub Advanced Security (Secret Protection and Code Security)

  • Actual billing is based on the number of active committers in the selected private repositories during the billing period; the pricing calculator is an estimate only.[3]
  • As of the 2020 general availability announcement, code scanning was free for public repositories and available for private repositories through Advanced Security on GitHub Enterprise. This may have changed since.[4]

Pricing as reported

Semgrep

Pricing as reported for Semgrep:

  • Community Edition (open source engine): $0 (Engine repository is licensed LGPL-2.1) [1]
  • Team (paid): Starts at $40 per contributor per month [5] One source only, so confirm it on the vendor page.

Plan limits are longer than fit here and some sources disagree on them, so read the limits on the vendor pricing page.

GitHub Advanced Security (Secret Protection and Code Security)

Pricing as reported for GitHub Advanced Security (Secret Protection and Code Security):

  • GitHub Secret Protection: $19 per month per active committer [2]
  • GitHub Code Security: $30 per month per active committer [2]

Plan limits are longer than fit here and some sources disagree on them, so read the limits on the vendor pricing page.

Where Continuum fits

We make Continuum Ship Check. Weigh what we say here with that in mind. The tools above are the better choice when you want software you run yourself; ours is the better choice when you want a person to do or read the work.

Continuum Ship Check (ours)

A flat-fee, human-reviewed written assessment of an AI-built app, delivered by a person rather than a dashboard.[6]

What our own page says:

  • An agent fleet runs the volume scan, then a senior engineer reviews every finding and ranks it by real-world risk.[6]
  • It returns a verdict of fine, fixable or rewrite, plus what will break first and a costed plan.[6]

Limits and things to check:

  • It is a one time project, so it does not watch the app after delivery.[6]

Pricing as reported for Continuum Ship Check:

  • Ship Check: $299 flat (written assessment) [6]

Suits a founder with a finished AI-built app who wants a person to say whether it is safe to launch.

Details on Continuum Ship Check.

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FAQ

Straight answers

Is Semgrep or GitHub Advanced Security (Secret Protection and Code Security) better?
Neither is better in general. Semgrep suits teams that want to write or tune their own code-pattern rules and run scans locally. GitHub Advanced Security (Secret Protection and Code Security) suits teams already hosting code on GitHub that want scanning inside the same platform.
Do Semgrep and GitHub Advanced Security (Secret Protection and Code Security) have free plans?
Semgrep has a free plan or tier per the sources we read. Check limits on the vendor page.
When were these sources read?
All sources on this page were read on 2026-11-05. Prices and limits change, so confirm on the vendor page before you buy.
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Sources
  1. 1. Semgrep GitHub repository README, Semgrep (GitHub), 2026-11-05: Semgrep's own page
  2. 2. Introducing GitHub Secret Protection and GitHub Code Security, GitHub, 2026-11-05: GitHub Advanced Security (Secret Protection and Code Security)'s own page
  3. 3. Estimating the price of Secret Protection, GitHub Docs, 2026-11-05: GitHub Advanced Security (Secret Protection and Code Security)'s own page
  4. 4. Code scanning is generally available, GitHub, 2026-11-05: GitHub Advanced Security (Secret Protection and Code Security)'s own page
  5. 5. Semgrep Transitions to Tier-Based Pricing Model, Bundling All Products in Teams Tier Starting at $40/Contributor/Month, PricingSaaS, 2026-11-05: third-party page
  6. 6. Continuum Ship Check on uxcontinuum.com, Continuum, 2026-11-05: Continuum Ship Check's own page
Semgrep vs GitHub Advanced Security | Continuum