tfsec vs Checkmarx: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between tfsec 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:
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.
Checkmarx
Application security testing platform
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (7.8/10 vs 7.3/10)
- • You need code review 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 |  tfsec |  Checkmarx |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Paid |
Best For | CI/CD | Code Review |
Rating | 73/100 | 78/100 |
| Feature | tfsec | Checkmarx |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Paid |
| Editorial Score | 73 | 78 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | CI/CDInfrastructure as Code | Code ReviewTesting & QA |
How tfsec and Checkmarx Compare
tfsec
Security scanner for your Terraform code.
Free · 73/100 score
Checkmarx
Application security testing platform
Paid · 78/100 score
tfsec is a ci/cd tool. Checkmarx is in code review.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
tfsec is free. Checkmarx is paid.
Go with: tfsec
Want the highest-rated option?
tfsec: 73/100. Checkmarx: 78/100.
Go with: Checkmarx
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Checkmarx
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
tfsec is free. Checkmarx is paid. Go with tfsec if free matters most.
What's your use case?
tfsec is a ci/cd tool. Checkmarx is in code review. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Checkmarx scores higher: 78/100 vs 73/100.
Key Takeaways
Checkmarx
- Higher score: 78/100 vs 73
- Our pick for this comparison
tfsec
- Completely free
- Better fit for ci/cd
The Bottom Line
Checkmarx (78/100) is our pick. That said, tfsec is free — hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is tfsec or Checkmarx better?
Checkmarx scores 78/100 in our evaluation. tfsec is free and Checkmarx is paid.
What are tfsec and Checkmarx used for?
tfsec: Security scanner for your Terraform code.. Checkmarx: Application security testing platform.
What does tfsec cost vs Checkmarx?
tfsec is completely free. Checkmarx is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.