Earthly vs Checkmarx: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Earthly and Checkmarx 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:
Earthly
Automate engineering standards enforcement across every tool, team, and deployment.
Best for you if:
- • You need DevOps features specifically
- • Automates enforcement of engineering standards and compliance in PRs and AI agents.
- • Provides fast, consistent, and portable software builds with a Dockerfile-like syntax.
Checkmarx
Application security testing platform
Best for you if:
- • You need security 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
| At a Glance |  Earthly |  Checkmarx |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Custom | Custom |
Best For | DevOps | Security |
Rating | - | 4.2/5 |
Choose Earthly or Checkmarx?
Choose Earthly if
Automate engineering standards enforcement across every tool, team, and deployment.
- Ensures consistent application of engineering standards and compliance automatically.
- Significantly reduces build times and improves build reliability.
- Provides clear visibility into standards adherence across the organization.
- Your work is DevOps-shaped, not security-shaped
Choose Checkmarx if
Application security testing platform
- Enterprise SAST
- Good vulnerability detection
- CI/CD integration
- Your work is security-shaped, not DevOps-shaped
| Feature | Earthly | Checkmarx |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| User Rating | No ratings yet | ★4.2/5 65 reviews |
| Categories | DevOpsDeveloper Tools | SecurityDeveloper Tools |
In-Depth Analysis
Earthly
Automate engineering standards enforcement across every tool, team, and deployment.
Strengths
- +Ensures consistent application of engineering standards and compliance automatically.
- +Significantly reduces build times and improves build reliability.
- +Provides clear visibility into standards adherence across the organization.
- +Integrates seamlessly with existing CI/CD tools and complements policy tools like OPA.
- +Empowers developers with instant feedback and proactive guidance, reducing last-minute blockers.
Weaknesses
- -Requires initial setup to define and codify standards.
- -The learning curve for Earthfiles syntax, though familiar, might exist for new users.
Key features
Checkmarx
Application security testing platform
Strengths
- +Enterprise SAST
- +Good vulnerability detection
- +CI/CD integration
- +Compliance support
- +Many languages
Weaknesses
- -Very expensive
- -False positives
- -Learning curve
- -Complex setup
- -Slow scans
Key features
Pricing: Earthly vs Checkmarx
| Plan | Earthly | Checkmarx |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | N/A | custom Essentials |
| Tier 2 | N/A | custom Professional |
| Tier 3 | N/A | custom Enterprise |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Earthly pricing and Checkmarx pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are paid. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Checkmarx
Want the highest-rated option?
Checkmarx is rated 4.2/5. Earthly has no ratings yet.
Go with: Checkmarx
Value user reviews?
Earthly: no ratings yet. Checkmarx: 65 reviews (4.2/5).
Go with: Checkmarx
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are paid. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Earthly is a DevOps tool. Checkmarx is in security. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Checkmarx is rated 4.2/5; Earthly has no ratings yet.
Key Takeaways
Checkmarx
- Our pick for this comparison
Earthly
- Better fit for DevOps
The Bottom Line
Checkmarx is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Earthly or Checkmarx better?
Checkmarx is rated in our evaluation. Both are paid.
What are Earthly and Checkmarx used for?
Earthly: Automate engineering standards enforcement across every tool, team, and deployment.. Checkmarx: Application security testing platform.
What does Earthly cost vs Checkmarx?
Earthly is a paid tool. Checkmarx is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.