Application Security Testing (AST) tools are essential to ensure your applications are secure from weaknesses and vulnerabilities. When evaluating AST tools, teams often consider Veracode and Checkmarx. This page compares Veracode and Checkmarx exploring their respective core capabilities, key differences, strengths, and weaknesses to help you make an informed decision.
For enterprises requiring a complete solution that combines superior scanning capabilities (including SAST, SCA, Secrets, and more) with integrations and platform extensibility, read on to the end to learn why Cydode’s Complete Application Security Posture Management (ASPM) platform may be the best Veracode and Checkmarx alternative for your needs.
What is Cycode?
Cycode is a Complete Application Security Posture Management (ASPM) platform. It combines native application security testing (SAST, SCA, IaC, and Container) and pipeline security scanning (Secrets, Code Leak Detection, CI/CD) with extensive third-party integrations, deep risk intelligence (including exposure path analysis and owner mapping), and automated remediation to shorten the lifecycle of high-risk vulnerabilities at scale.
For enterprises managing risk across complex environments, Cycode consolidates and supplements security tools to deliver more resilience and a lower cost of ownership.
What is Veracode?
Veracode is a comprehensive AST suite designed for enterprises. Its foundations are in Binary Static Analysis (SAST) and the offering has expanded to provide dynamic analysis (DAST) and SCA to identify vulnerabilities throughout the software development lifecycle.
Veracode’s focus on security policies and compliance makes it a popular choice for security teams and organizations with stringent security requirements.
What is Checkmarx?
Checkmarx is an enterprise-focused application security platform. It has expanded from its foundations in Static Analysis (SAST) to build out its platform offering across Code, Cloud, and Software Supply Chain Security.
Checkmarx’s focus on governance and policy enforcement during development and throughout the application lifecycle caters to enterprise security teams.
| Feature | Cycode | Veracode | Checkmarx |
| AST Coverage | SAST, SCA, IaC, and Container | SAST, SCA | SAST, SCA, IaC, and Container |
| Pipeline & Secrets | Best-in-class secrets security across SDLC, collaboration, and other developer tools | Lacks secrets and pipeline security | Limited secrets security |
| Software Supply Chain Security | Dependency, SBOM, and CI/CD security | Limited to dependency | Limited to dependency |
| Platform Integrations | Extensive integrations into SDLC tools and seamless developer experience | CI/CD and fragmented IDE integrations with poor developer experience | Supports SCMs and developer tools, but lacks full SDLC coverage |
| ASPM | Extensive third-party integrations and connect any tool with ConnectorX | Via acquisition with limited implementation and integrations | No documentation of third-party scanner support |
| Best For | Enterprises seeking complete visibility and risk reduction across code, supply chain, secrets, and more | Security teams focused on policy management or coverage of legacy languages | Security teams focusing on traditional AST |
Key Features of Cycode
Cycode’s strengths lie in its high-quality native AST and pipeline security suite augmented by extensive integrations with third-party scanners and SDLC tools. This unifies visibility and taps into deep context to power risk-based prioritization and rapid remediation of software vulnerabilities at scale.
- Proprietary Pipeline & AST Scanning: Secure code, software supply chains, and pipelines including detection of exposed secrets across all developer tools
- Third-Party Integration: Unified visibility, prioritization, and remediation across any security ecosystem via ConnectorX
- Risk Intelligence Graph & Change Impact Analysis: Risk-based prioritization with exposure path analysis and proactive assessment of every code change
Developer Experience: Accurate detection, risk prioritization, and AI assistance in developer workflows equals fewer tasks, faster fixes, and less effort
Key Features of Veracode
Veracode offers a robust suite of AST tools tailored for enterprises that prioritize compliance, governance, and security at scale. Its platform provides detailed reporting and analytics enabling organizations to track and enforce security policies effectively.
- Broad testing suite (SAST, DAST, SCA): Covers all major testing methodologies to ensure a holistic approach to application security.
- Enterprise-grade compliance tools: Enables organizations to meet industry regulations and internal security policies.
- Detailed vulnerability insights: Offers deep analytics and prioritization guidance to streamline the remediation process.
- Scalability for large enterprises: Supports complex, multi-application environments, making it suitable for large-scale organizations; however, deployments can be lengthy and cumbersome.
Key Features of Checkmarx
Checkmarx offers a broad suite of AST tools with both on-prem and SaaS deployment options. It caters to enterprises looking to deploy security checks across the application lifecycle in a consolidated approach – albeit at the expense of extensibility and flexibility.
- Code-to-cloud scanning: Identifies vulnerabilities across proprietary code, open-source dependencies, and container and infrastructure as code files.
- Secure code training: Checkmarx Codebashing helps educate and train developers on secure code practices and remediation.
- Centralized Policy Management: Ensures consistent security policies across large development teams.
- Flexible deployments and scalability: On-prem and cloud deployments as well as the ability to handle complex, multi-application environments cater to enterprise customers. However, potential buyers should be aware of discrepancies between Checkmarx’s on-prem and cloud offerings.
Cycode vs Veracode vs Checkmarx: 3 Key Differences
- Deployment and Scalability:
- Cycode: Flexible deployment options with parity across SaaS and on-prem deployments ensuring organizations can maintain control over their security posture whatever their deployment requirements.
- Veracode: SaaS-only deployments reduce the need for complex infrastructure and offers straightforward integration into CI/CD pipelines; however, Veracode does not offer an on-prem deployment option.
- Checkmarx: Offers flexible deployment options, including on-premises and hybrid, making it suitable for organizations that require more control over their security environment. However, watch out for disparities between on-prem and cloud deployment offerings.
- Core Static Analysis Technology:
- Cycode: Proprietary SAST engine delivers instant-on and continuous detection of code risks with complete data flow analysis across files and functions without cumbersome compilation and slow scans.
- Veracode: Utilizes binary static analysis which scans compiled applications for vulnerabilities. This approach enables Veracode to analyze the complete application, including dependencies, and detect issues that source-only scanning might miss. Binary analysis is particularly valuable for assessing third-party code and ensuring comprehensive coverage, but it is often slower and more cumbersome.
- Checkmarx: Relies on source-code static analysis using its proprietary engine to analyze codebases. Checkmarx’s approach enables highly customizable scans using its unique query language (CxQL), allowing teams to tailor results to their specific needs. This makes Checkmarx more flexible for development teams who want granular control over scan configurations.
- Integrations and Developer Experience:
- Cycode: Cycode offers deep integrations into popular IDEs, CI/CD pipelines, and version control systems ensuring security is embedded seamlessly into existing workflows. AI-powered remediation suggestions provide developers with actionable fixes reducing friction, improving adoption, and accelerating remediation efforts without disrupting development velocity.
- Veracode: Focuses on centralized security management, integrating primarily into CI/CD pipelines to ensure consistent scanning across the development lifecycle. While it has IDE integrations, its emphasis is more on enterprise-wide policy enforcement and compliance than hands-on developer tools.
- Checkmarx: Similar to Veracode, Checkmarx has IDE integrations to provide feedback during coding but its focus is on legacy AST practices centered around security teams.
Veracode Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Extensive suite of AST tools: Veracode provides SAST, DAST, and SCA, ensuring broad vulnerability coverage across the software lifecycle.
- Strong governance and compliance focus: The platform includes robust compliance features, making it ideal for enterprises with strict regulatory requirements.
- Scalable to handle complex applications: Veracode’s architecture supports large-scale environments, making it suitable for enterprise use.
- Detailed analytics and policy enforcement: Offers actionable insights and enforces policies to ensure consistent security across teams and applications.
Cons:
- Steeper learning curve and setup requirements: The platform’s advanced features may require significant time and resources to implement effectively.
- Slower feedback cycles: Veracode’s in-depth analysis can delay vulnerability detection, impacting agile workflows.
- High costs may not suit smaller teams or budgets: Veracode’s pricing aligns with its enterprise-grade features, potentially limiting accessibility for smaller organizations. Veracode also charges a premium for AI features like its AI code remediation offering.
- Limited extensibility and visibility: Gaps in Veracode’s portfolio and limited integrations with third-party scanners require additional tools to achieve full vulnerability detection.
Checkmarx Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Comprehensive Testing Suite: Offers a broad suite of scanners to identify vulnerabilities across application layers and at various stages in the software development lifecycle.
- Enterprise Governance and Compliance: Provides robust policy enforcement and detailed reporting, making it ideal for organizations with strict regulatory and governance needs.
- Scalability for Large Enterprises: Designed to handle complex environments with multiple applications and development teams, making it suitable for large-scale use.
- Secure Coding Education: Includes Codebashing, a platform for training developers in secure coding practices.
Cons:
- Complex Setup and Steep Learning Curve: Requires more time and resources for integration and maintenance. Advanced features require significant time and resources to implement and master. Some advanced features are not available via on-prem deployments.
- Cost and Scalability: Checkmarx’s enterprise-grade features come with a premium price tag, potentially limiting accessibility for smaller organizations. On-premises deployments can require substantial infrastructure investment and ongoing maintenance.
- Limited extensibility and visibility: Gaps in Checkmarx’s portfolio and limited integrations with third-party scanners require additional tools to achieve full vulnerability detection.
Cycode: The Best Veracode and Checkmarx Alternative
Choosing the right AST tool depends on your organization’s specific needs. Veracode and Checkmarx both offer mature AST capabilities with their foundations in SAST code analysis. Veracode may have an edge in enterprise scalability, governance, and policy enforcement. Checkmarx may have an edge for customization, tuning, and developer integrations. Both have relatively complex implementations and robust feature sets that serve the needs of enterprise security teams but may prove challenging for smaller teams or organizations focused on agile DevOps and developer experience.
Furthermore, Veracode and Checkmarx both have relatively closed ecosystems and limited integrations with third-party scanners. This siloed approach prevents them from delivering a complete and unified application security solution.
Cycode’s Complete Application Security Posture Management (ASPM) solution best serves the needs of developers and enterprise security teams by combining superior AST scanners and developer experience with an enterprise-grade and extensible platform, risk-based prioritization, and workflow automation. Highlights include:
- Comprehensive AST coverage: Stop code risk before it starts and deliver safe code faster. Cycode’s proprietary scanners – including SAST, SCA, Secrets, Infrastructure as Code (IaC), Container, Source Code Leakage, and CI/CD posture – empower you to secure your code, software supply chain, and cloud-native infrastructure.
- Complete ASPM platform: Save developers time and fix what matters faster. Beyond its suite of proprietary scanners, Cycode unifies data from over 100 third-party security tools and leverages its Risk Intelligence Graph (RIG) to distill millions of findings into the few most critical risks. Cycode maps those risks to root causes and owners and automates workflows to simplify AppSec complexity, power risk-based prioritization, and accelerate remediation.
- Lower total cost of ownership: Identify tool overlaps, consolidate, and build the foundation for your future-fit security program. Cycode delivers a complete solution that empowers enterprise customers to adapt and optimize their security ecosystems for today and tomorrow.
Learn more about Cycode’s AST capabilities or get a demo to explore the full solution.
