Checkmarx Alternative For Application Security Testing

Securing applications and the software supply chain requires understanding the relationships between applications, components, people, tools, pipelines, runtime environments, and risks.

The Cycode platform, one of the top Checkmarx competitors, was purpose-built to fill the visibility gaps that have historically frustrated application security programs

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comparison

Why choose Cycode over Checkmarx?

As a Checkmarx alternative, Cycode provides development teams comprehensive protection and complete visibility across the entire SDLC. From one unified platform, Cycode secures applications, development tools, and pipelines and provides a holistic view of security to drive faster and more accurate results.

Cycode
Checkmarx

Protect Secrets

Identifies secrets across the entire SDLC - source code, build logs, Infrastructure as code, Kubernetes clusters, version histories, Docker images and productivity tools (e. g. Slack).

Partial

detect Leakage

Identifies leakage of private code and secrets in GitHub and GitLab public repositories and code snippets. 

Harden SDLC Tools

Enforces secure configurations and best practices.

Secure Code

Identifies vulnerable application code with SAST.

Secure Code Dependencies

Identifies vulnerable code with SCA.

Secure Infrastructure as Code

Identifies IaC misconfigurations.

Protect CI/CD Pipelines

Next-gen SCA to protect against use of insecure tools, modules, dependencies in pipelines, prevent tampering.

Protect Cloud Deployment

Identifies misconfigured cloud resources and drift from IaC.

Partial
Cycode
Checkmarx

Protect Secrets

Partial
Cycode

Identifies secrets across the entire SDLC - source code, build logs, Infrastructure as code, Kubernetes clusters, version histories, Docker images and productivity tools (e. g. Slack).

Checkmarx

Partial - Limited ability to detect secrets only in code

detect Leakage

Cycode

Identifies leakage of private code and secrets in GitHub and GitLab public repositories and code snippets. 

Checkmarx

None

Harden SDLC Tools

Cycode

Enforces secure configurations and best practices.

Checkmarx

None

Secure Code

Identifies vulnerable application code with SAST.

Secure Code Dependencies

Identifies vulnerable code with SCA.

Secure Infrastructure as Code

Identifies IaC misconfigurations.

Protect CI/CD Pipelines

Cycode

Next-gen SCA to protect against use of insecure tools, modules, dependencies in pipelines, prevent tampering.

Checkmarx

None

Protect Cloud Deployment

Partial
Cycode

Identifies misconfigured cloud resources and drift from IaC.

Checkmarx

Partial - Unable to scan in the cloud runtime, can't protect against drift

capabilities

Where does Cycode stand out from Checkmarx?

The Cycode platform stands out as a Checkmarx alternative, as it includes and orchestrates all the AppSec tools you need. AppSec findings are correlated to provide context across the SDLC, delivering more accurate and relevant results, which improves collaboration between development, AppSec, and operational teams.

Secure SDLC Foundation

Cycode ensures tools are configured securely, roles are segmented and permissions audited, and security best practices are followed throughout the application lifecycle.

Pipeline Integrity

Cycode protects code and container dependencies, as well as pipeline dependencies such as open source build tools, pipeline actions and plugins, and infrastructure modules.

contextual Insights

Cycode monitors the entire SDLC and reports findings with full context so you can avoid manual investigation and prioritize the most important findings.

Unparalleled Platform

Cycode delivers a seamless user experience with comprehensive reporting dashboards for security pros and deep integrations with developer workflows to shift security left without context switching.

Risk Based Prioritization

With visibility from code to cloud, Cycode eliminates silos to understand your application, dependencies, CI/CD pipelines, and runtime environments.

Instant Value

Integrate your DevOps tools in less than 1 minute to deliver immediate value and allow maximum agility across your SDLC, all without complicated pricing or packaging.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Checkmarx?

Checkmarx is an application security testing (AST) platform known for its Static Application Security Testing (SAST) capabilities, in particular analyzing code to identify vulnerabilities.

Checkmarx does have limitations though, particularly in detecting secrets and code leaks, securing CI/CD pipelines, and managing misconfigurations in cloud environments, which are increasingly critical for modern application security

How Does Checkmarx Work?

Checkmarx works by statically analyzing your application source code to detect vulnerabilities before runtime. It integrates with your repositories, developer tools, and CI/CD pipelines to scan for security flaws as code is written and built.

At its core, it parses your codebase into a logical structure that allows it to identify issues like injection flaws, hardcoded credentials, and insecure configurations without executing the code. Findings are then surfaced through its dashboard or pushed directly into developer workflows like IDEs or ticketing systems.

Checkmarx also offers supplementary tools like SCA and IAST through its broader Checkmarx One platform, though these are often used separately from the core static analysis engine. Its strength lies in its breadth of language support and customizable scanning rules, though it can require substantial tuning and expertise to minimize false positives and streamline remediation.

What Are the Specific Limitations of Checkmarx Application Security?

While robust and enterprise-grade, user feedback and documentation highlight notable limitations:

  • High False-Positive Rates: Users report needing significant manual triage to manage noise.
  • Performance Bottlenecks: Slow scans on large codebases; high resource usage can hinder CI/CD velocity.
  • Complex Setup & UX: Integration and tuning require considerable time and expertise; UI can overwhelm newcomers.
  • Costly Licensing: Targeted at large enterprises; steep pricing may deter smaller teams.
  • Limited Extensibility: Although comprehensive, gaps exist in DAST commonly; newer ecosystems or frameworks may require third‑party add-ons.


These limitations help explain why organizations consider solutions like Cycode, which promise unified coverage with leaner workflows, fewer false positives, and faster ROI.

What Should I Look for in Checkmarx Alternatives?

When evaluating Checkmarx alternatives, companies should think beyond just SAST. They need to consider solutions that address the following critical aspects of their security strategy:

  1. Visibility: Ensure the most comprehensive visibility into their code, including source code, open source code, and AI-generated code. You can't fix what you can't see.
  2. Prioritization: The tool should help reduce the noise of false positives and ensure the focus remains on the most critical issues that need resolution.
  3. Remediation: Effective developer workflows that enable seamless remediation of vulnerabilities within the developers' own environments.
  4. Tool Consolidation: A platform that can replace or provide seamless integration with existing security tools, offering a unified solution for better security and hygiene of the entire CI/CD pipeline.

An application security posture management (ASPM) platform like Cycode meets these needs by providing secure and compliant proprietary scanners for better prioritization, supporting enhanced collaboration between Sec and Dev teams. As a Checkmarx alternative, Cycode ensures comprehensive visibility, efficient prioritization, streamlined remediation processes, and effective tool consolidation to strengthen your security posture.

Why Is Cycode One of the Best Checkmarx Competitors?

A leader in application security, Cycode is one of the best Checkmarx competitors, as it offers a more comprehensive platform that provides complete visibility from code to cloud. Beyond its advanced and modern SAST capabilities, Cycode’s complete ASPM platform includes a suite of robust features designed to enhance your security posture, including:

  1. Software Supply Chain Security: Ensure end-to-end security, including secret detection and code leakage identification.
  2. Application Security Testing: Leverage proprietary scanners such as SAST and Next-Gen SCA. This includes comprehensive scanning of proprietary code, open source libraries, and AI-generated code.
  3. Third-party Integrations: Help security teams and developers gain a comprehensive understanding of their application security posture by integrating all your third-party and security tools.
  4. Risk Intelligence Graph (RIG): Gain enhanced visibility, prioritization, and remediation of critical vulnerabilities.
  5. Developer Experience: Enable developers to address critical vulnerabilities within their own environments without needing to log into Cycode.