Sonar vs Checkmarx: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Sonar 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.
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:
Sonar
Fuel AI-enabled development and build trust into every line of code with integrated quality and security.
Best for you if:
- • You want to try before committing
- • Automates code quality and security analysis for human and AI-generated code.
- • Integrates into IDEs and DevOps pipelines for real-time feedback and issue prevention.
Checkmarx
Application security testing platform
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (7.8/10 vs 0.0/10)
- • 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 |  Sonar |  Checkmarx |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Paid |
Best For | Code Review | Code Review |
Rating | —/100 | 78/100 |
| Feature | Sonar | Checkmarx |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Paid |
| Editorial Score | — | 78 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Code ReviewTesting & QA | Code ReviewTesting & QA |
How Sonar and Checkmarx Compare
Sonar
Fuel AI-enabled development and build trust into every line of code with integrated quality and security.
Free tier available
Checkmarx
Application security testing platform
Paid · 78/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Sonar has a free tier. Checkmarx is paid only.
Go with: Sonar
Want the highest-rated option?
Checkmarx scores 78/100. Sonar is unrated.
Go with: Checkmarx
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Checkmarx
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Sonar is freemium. Checkmarx is paid. Sonar lets you start free.
What's your use case?
Both are code review tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Not all tools have been rated yet.
Key Takeaways
Checkmarx
- Higher score: 78/100 vs unrated
- Our pick for this comparison
Sonar
- Has a free tier
The Bottom Line
Checkmarx (78/100) is our pick. Sonar has a free tier if you want to test without paying.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sonar or Checkmarx better?
Checkmarx scores 78/100 in our evaluation. Sonar is freemium and Checkmarx is paid.
What are Sonar and Checkmarx used for?
Sonar: Fuel AI-enabled development and build trust into every line of code with integrated quality and security.. Checkmarx: Application security testing platform.
What does Sonar cost vs Checkmarx?
Sonar is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Checkmarx is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.