CodeQL vs tfsec: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between CodeQL 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:
CodeQL
Discover vulnerabilities across a codebase with industry-leading semantic code analysis.
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.4/10 vs 7.3/10)
- • You need debugging features specifically
- • Semantic code analysis engine for vulnerability discovery.
- • Allows querying code like data to find security flaws.
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 |  CodeQL |  tfsec |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free |
Best For | Debugging | CI/CD |
Rating | 84/100 | 73/100 |
| Feature | CodeQL | tfsec |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Free |
| Editorial Score | 84 | 73 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | DebuggingCode Review | CI/CDInfrastructure as Code |
How CodeQL and tfsec Compare
CodeQL
Discover vulnerabilities across a codebase with industry-leading semantic code analysis.
Free tier available · 84/100 score
tfsec
Security scanner for your Terraform code.
Free · 73/100 score
CodeQL is a debugging tool. tfsec is in ci/cd.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
tfsec is free. CodeQL is freemium.
Go with: tfsec
Want the highest-rated option?
CodeQL: 84/100. tfsec: 73/100.
Go with: CodeQL
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: CodeQL
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
CodeQL is freemium. tfsec is free. Go with tfsec if free matters most.
What's your use case?
CodeQL is a debugging tool. tfsec is in ci/cd. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
CodeQL scores higher: 84/100 vs 73/100.
Key Takeaways
CodeQL
- Higher score: 84/100 vs 73
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
tfsec
- Completely free
- Better fit for ci/cd
The Bottom Line
CodeQL (84/100) is our pick. That said, tfsec is free — hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is CodeQL or tfsec better?
CodeQL scores 84/100 in our evaluation. CodeQL is freemium and tfsec is free.
What are CodeQL and tfsec used for?
CodeQL: Discover vulnerabilities across a codebase with industry-leading semantic code analysis.. tfsec: Security scanner for your Terraform code..
What does CodeQL cost vs tfsec?
CodeQL is freemium (free tier + paid plans). tfsec is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.