CodeClimate vs tfsec: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between CodeClimate and tfsec 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.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
CodeClimate
Automated code review and quality analysis
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.0/10 vs 7.3/10)
- • You need code review features specifically
- • CodeClimate is a code quality platform that analyzes technical debt and test coverage
- • It provides automated code review, maintainability scores, and velocity metrics for teams
tfsec
Security scanner for your Terraform code.
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • You need ci/cd features specifically
- • Scans Terraform code for security vulnerabilities.
- • Identifies misconfigurations before deployment.
| At a Glance |  CodeClimate |  tfsec |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free |
Best For | Code Review | CI/CD |
Rating | 80/100 | 73/100 |
| Feature | CodeClimate | tfsec |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Free |
| Editorial Score | 80 | 73 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Code ReviewTesting & QA | CI/CDInfrastructure as Code |
How CodeClimate and tfsec Compare
CodeClimate
Automated code review and quality analysis
Free tier available · 80/100 score
tfsec
Security scanner for your Terraform code.
Free · 73/100 score
CodeClimate is a code review tool. tfsec is in ci/cd.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
tfsec is free. CodeClimate is freemium.
Go with: tfsec
Want the highest-rated option?
CodeClimate: 80/100. tfsec: 73/100.
Go with: CodeClimate
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: CodeClimate
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
CodeClimate is freemium. tfsec is free. Go with tfsec if free matters most.
What's your use case?
CodeClimate is a code review tool. tfsec is in ci/cd. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
CodeClimate scores higher: 80/100 vs 73/100.
Key Takeaways
CodeClimate
- Higher score: 80/100 vs 73
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
tfsec
- Completely free
- Better fit for ci/cd
The Bottom Line
CodeClimate (80/100) is our pick. That said, tfsec is free — hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CodeClimate or tfsec better?
CodeClimate scores 80/100 in our evaluation. CodeClimate is freemium and tfsec is free.
What are CodeClimate and tfsec used for?
CodeClimate: Automated code review and quality analysis. tfsec: Security scanner for your Terraform code..
What does CodeClimate cost vs tfsec?
CodeClimate is freemium (free tier + paid plans). tfsec is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.