CodeQL vs LGTM: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for CodeQL and LGTM side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
CodeQL
Discover vulnerabilities across a codebase with industry-leading semantic code analysis.
Best for you if:
- • You want powerful code analysis
LGTM
Code analysis platform integrated into GitHub for identifying security vulnerabilities.
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (CodeQL requires payment)
| At a Glance | CodeQL | LGTM |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan, paid from $19/mo, billed monthly Secret Protection plan | Free 100% free |
Category | Security Developer Tools | Testing & QA Security |
Rating | n/a | n/a |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose CodeQL or LGTM?
Choose CodeQL if
- You want powerful code analysis
- You want security focus
- You work in security, not testing & QA
Choose LGTM if
- You want a fully free tool (CodeQL requires payment)
- You want integrated directly into GitHub for seamless workflow (now via GitHub code scanning)
- You want utilized powerful CodeQL analysis engine
- You work in testing & QA, not security
In-Depth Analysis
CodeQL
Discover vulnerabilities across a codebase with industry-leading semantic code analysis.
CodeQL is best-in-class for code security scanning.
Strengths
- Pro: Powerful code analysis
- Pro: Security focus
- Pro: GitHub integration
- Pro: Custom queries
- Pro: Free for public repos
Weaknesses
- Con: Learning curve
- Con: Query writing complex
- Con: Slow scans
- Con: Resource intensive
- Con: False positives
Key features
LGTM
Code analysis platform integrated into GitHub for identifying security vulnerabilities.
Strengths
- Pro: Integrated directly into GitHub for seamless workflow (now via GitHub code scanning)
- Pro: Utilized powerful CodeQL analysis engine
- Pro: Automated detection of security issues
- Pro: Provided code quality insights
Weaknesses
- Con: No longer available as a standalone product
- Con: Requires migration to GitHub code scanning for continued use of its core functionality
- Con: Advanced build configurations might require manual migration effort
Key features
Plans and prices: CodeQL vs LGTM
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| CodeQL |
| codeql.github.com read Sep 27, 2026 |
| LGTM | No plan prices on file | lgtm.com/pricing |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on CodeQL pricing and LGTM pricing.
Key Takeaways
CodeQL
- Choose if you want discover vulnerabilities across a codebase with industry-leading semantic code analysis
LGTM
- Choose if you want code analysis platform integrated into GitHub for identifying security vulnerabilities
What the data shows
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
- CodeQL starts at $19/mo, billed monthly; LGTM has no public paid plan price on file.
- Both have a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do CodeQL and LGTM compare in 2026?
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair. CodeQL starts at $19/mo, billed monthly; LGTM has no public paid plan price on file. Both have a free plan.
What are CodeQL and LGTM used for?
CodeQL: Discover vulnerabilities across a codebase with industry-leading semantic code analysis. LGTM: Code analysis platform integrated into GitHub for identifying security vulnerabilities.
What does CodeQL cost vs LGTM?
CodeQL's cheapest paid plan is Secret Protection at $19/mo, billed monthly; it also has a free plan. LGTM is free. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Sep 27, 2026.
What's the main difference between CodeQL and LGTM?
CodeQL's main strength: powerful code analysis. LGTM's main strength: integrated directly into GitHub for seamless workflow (now via GitHub code scanning).