Checkmarx vs Terrascan: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Checkmarx and Terrascan comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Checkmarx
Application security testing platform
Best for you if:
- 0
- • You need code review features specifically
- • Checkmarx is an enterprise application security testing platform for finding vulnerabilities in code
- • It provides SAST, SCA, and DAST scanning integrated into CI/CD pipelines
Terrascan
Detect compliance and security violations across Infrastructure as Code (IaC) to mitigate risk.
Best for you if:
- 0
- • You need something completely free
- • You need infrastructure as code features specifically
- • Scans Infrastructure as Code (IaC) for security and compliance violations.
- • Includes 500+ out-of-the-box policies and supports custom policies via OPA/Rego.
| At a Glance |  Checkmarx |  Terrascan |
|---|---|---|
Price | Paid | Free |
Best For | Code Review | Infrastructure as Code |
Rating | - | - |
| Feature | Checkmarx | Terrascan |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Free |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Code ReviewTesting & QA | Infrastructure as CodeVulnerability Scanning |
How Checkmarx and Terrascan Compare
Checkmarx
Application security testing platform
Paid
Terrascan
Detect compliance and security violations across Infrastructure as Code (IaC) to mitigate risk.
Free
Checkmarx is a code review tool. Terrascan is in infrastructure as code.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Terrascan is free. Checkmarx is paid.
Go with: Terrascan
Want the highest-rated option?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Checkmarx
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Checkmarx
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Checkmarx is paid. Terrascan is free. Go with Terrascan if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Checkmarx is a code review tool. Terrascan is in infrastructure as code. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Key Takeaways
Checkmarx
- 0
- Our pick for this comparison
Terrascan
- Completely free
- Better fit for infrastructure as code
The Bottom Line
Checkmarx is our pick. That said, Terrascan is free, hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Checkmarx or Terrascan better?
Checkmarx is rated high in our evaluation. Checkmarx is paid and Terrascan is free.
What are Checkmarx and Terrascan used for?
Checkmarx: Application security testing platform. Terrascan: Detect compliance and security violations across Infrastructure as Code (IaC) to mitigate risk..
What does Checkmarx cost vs Terrascan?
Checkmarx is a paid tool. Terrascan is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.