GitHub Advanced Security (GHAS) vs Codacy

SAST, secrets and SCA.No Actions minutes.Lower cost per seat.

Codacy is a GitHub Advanced Security alternative that scans your code, secrets and dependencies on every pull request, and adds code quality, test coverage and DAST in one platform, from prompt to runtime.

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Codacy organization dashboard with issues, security findings and coverage

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Why engineering teams choose Codacy as their GHAS alternative

Code security

SAST, secrets and SCA
on every PR

Codacy scans every commit and pull request for vulnerabilities, exposed secrets, vulnerable dependencies and IaC misconfigurations on its own infrastructure, triggered by Git webhooks, and posts the results as status checks. GitHub's CodeQL scans run as Actions workflows on your minutes, and some compiled languages need a build.

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Codacy security findings panel with open, critical and overdue counts, next to open and prevented issues
Codacy CLI & Skills

Pre-Commit checks
for coding agents

GitHub's central CodeQL config only runs once code is pushed. With Codacy Skills, Claude Code, Codex and Gemini CLI run your Coding Standards locally through the Codacy CLI, and the same rules gate every pull request.

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Claude Code terminal running the Codacy Analysis CLI on local changes, fixing 11 findings before commit
AI Guardrails

Auto-fix AI code
in your IDE

GitHub's automatic security checks on agent code only cover agents running on GitHub, and need a Copilot plan. Codacy Guardrails applies your coding standards to AI-generated code in VS Code, Cursor, Windsurf and JetBrains, auto-fixing issues before you commit.

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Codacy Guardrails flagging and fixing AI-generated code in the IDE
DAST and pentesting

Runtime tests,
audit-ready evidence

GitHub Advanced Security doesn't test running apps, container images, or offer pen testing. Codacy runs DAST on your web apps and APIs, and tracks partner pen-test findings with SLAs, alongside your code scans.

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Codacy app scanning targets with a completed DAST scan showing 12 new findings by severity
One platform, one bill

Quality and security,
one platform

GitHub sells Secret Protection ($19), Code Security ($30) and Code Quality ($10) per active committer per month, on top of your GitHub plan. Codacy includes code quality, coverage, SAST, SCA and secrets from $18 per developer.

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Codacy dashboard showing open issues by severity and by category, including security

"Codacy makes sure that we do security testing on code automatically so the developer doesn't have to care about it."

Tim van Loosbroek Head of Infrastructure and Security at LOGEX

ISO 27001

code security goals met to obtain the certification

Yearly

external security audits, with Codacy dashboards presented as evidence

3 frameworks

GDPR, NEN 7510 and ISO/IEC 27001 that LOGEX must comply with

Read case study
LOGEX

GitHub Advanced Security vs Codacy comparison

SAST, secrets and SCA on every pull request, with code quality, test coverage and DAST in the same platform. No Actions minutes or build steps needed.

Codacy
GitHub Advanced Security
SASTStatic application security testing to identify and prevent security vulnerabilities before deployment.
Secret scanningDetect and prevent exposed API keys, tokens, and credentials from entering your codebase.
Dependency checks (SCA)Software composition analysis for supply chain security with daily vulnerability database updates.
Malware detectionAutomated detection of malicious packages in your dependencies to protect against supply chain attacks and compromised open-source libraries.
License scanningAutomated detection of open-source license compliance issues and conflicts.
MCP integrationModel Context Protocol support enabling AI agents to access analysis results, reports, and configurations.
Native Jira integrationSeamless issue tracking with bidirectional sync to Jira for ticket creation, remediation and progress tracking.
Infrastructure-as-CodeDetect cloud misconfigurations, excessive permissions and open network ports before they provision live infrastructure.
DASTDynamic application security testing for runtime vulnerability detection with no pipeline setup required.
Penetration testingIntegrated penetration testing capabilities through Codacy partners to identify exploitable vulnerabilities.
Code QualityAutomated code quality analysis detecting error-prone patterns, code complexity, duplications, best practice violations and more, across 49 languages.
Code CoverageTrack and improve test coverage metrics by enforcing unit tests on critical code, with configurable merge gates.
49 languages supportedCodacy supports 49 programming languages and frameworks, including PHP, Scala, Dart, Elixir and Terraform.
Pipelineless code scansDirect Git integration via webhooks eliminates CI/CD pipeline setup, runners and Actions minutes.
Scan-as-you-code with your standardsReal-time, rule-based security and quality scans in the IDE that apply your organization's coding standards before code is committed.
Guardrails for AI agentsReal-time scanning and auto-fixing of security and quality issues in AI-generated code in the IDE, for any AI coding agent, before developers see the suggested changes.
AI Code GovernanceCentralized dashboard for tracking AI-specific risks across all projects.
AI Coding PoliciesEnforce organization-wide standards for AI-generated code, detecting policy violations like unapproved model calls, insecure patterns, and non-compliant AI outputs.
AI ReviewerHybrid, AI-powered Pull Request review engine that understands code intent and context, catching issues conventional static analysis tools miss.
Native Slack integrationInstant Slack alerts for critical security issues.

When to choose Codacy over GitHub Advanced Security

Teams consolidating AppSec and quality

For teams running GitHub Advanced Security next to a separate code quality tool and a DAST scanner. Codacy covers SAST, SCA, secrets and IaC on every pull request, and adds code quality, test coverage and DAST in one platform, with one set of standards and reports.

Teams that require tests on every change

Codacy shows how each pull request changes test coverage and blocks merges that fall below your coverage gates, ensuring untested code is blocked at merge. GitHub Advanced Security doesn’t track test coverage.

Teams building with coding agents

For teams where coding agents write much of the code, often outside an IDE. Codacy Skills let the agent check its own work against your standards with the Codacy CLI before commit, and Codacy DAST then tests the running app.

End-to-End protection,
ready for AI Coding

Today's development teams face complex challenges that traditional tools can't solve.

AI Agent

Enforce secure GenAI code on every prompt

GitHubClaudeGemini

Editor

Scan and auto-fix security and quality issues instantly

VS CodeIntelliJCursor

Git Repo

Catch risky and untested code before merging

GitHub CopilotGitLabBitbucket

Production

Scan your API endpoints and apps at runtime

AWSAzureGoogle Cloud

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Frequently asked questions

How is Codacy's setup and integration different from GitHub Advanced Security?

Codacy covers the same ground, SAST, secret scanning and SCA on every pull request, as a fully managed, cloud-native platform. Connect your GitHub organization in a few clicks, and Codacy scans every commit and pull request on its own infrastructure, without adding a single step to your CI/CD pipeline. GitHub Advanced Security is quick to switch on for GitHub repositories, but CodeQL code scanning runs as a GitHub Actions workflow. On private repositories, every CodeQL scan uses Actions minutes or your own runners, some compiled languages need a build, and custom builds or per-folder monorepo scans need advanced setup in YAML.

How does Codacy's billing compare to GitHub Advanced Security?

GitHub Advanced Security is billed per active committer: anyone who pushed to an enabled repository in the last 90 days. At list price, Secret Protection ($19) and Code Security ($30) add up to $49 per active committer per month, on top of your GitHub Team or Enterprise seats. GitHub Code Quality costs another $10, and scans use Actions minutes. Codacy offers predictable, per-developer pricing from $18 per month, billed annually, with code quality, coverage, SAST, SCA, secrets and IaC included, unlimited lines of code and no usage meters.

What assistance does Codacy provide to simplify the migration process from GitHub Advanced Security?

Because Codacy doesn't run on GitHub Actions, you can connect it to the same repositories as GitHub Advanced Security and compare results side by side before you switch. Our dedicated team works with you to understand your current code scanning, secret scanning and Dependabot setup, and to create a seamless transition plan. We provide comprehensive documentation and personalized onboarding, so your team keeps shipping while you move your quality and security checks to Codacy.

Can we use Codacy alongside GitHub Advanced Security?

Yes. Codacy adds test coverage gates, DAST and pen-test tracking, and applies one set of quality and security standards from the first prompt to every pull request. Its scans run on Codacy's infrastructure instead of your Actions minutes. Teams can keep GitHub Advanced Security for push protection, CodeQL and Copilot Autofix, and use Codacy for code quality, coverage and runtime testing. Each tool posts its own checks on the pull request, and you choose which ones are required.

What kind of technical support is included with a Codacy subscription?

All Codacy subscriptions include responsive, high-quality technical support. Our team of experts is ready to assist you with any questions, from initial setup and onboarding to advanced configuration and troubleshooting. We are committed to ensuring your team is successful with Codacy, providing the reliable assistance you need to keep your development workflow running smoothly.

Is there a no-commitment way to see how Codacy performs on our codebase?

Absolutely. We offer two easy ways to get started. For individual developers and smaller teams, you can start a free 14-day trial. Just connect your repository in minutes and you'll get an instant analysis to see exactly how Codacy performs on your own codebase—no credit card required. For larger organizations and teams evaluating a broader rollout, we offer a dedicated one-month Proof of Value (POV). This extended, guided trial allows you to fully test Codacy's capabilities across multiple teams and repositories with personalized support from our experts. This ensures you can confidently see the value Codacy provides before making any commitment.

What are other GitHub Advanced Security alternatives?

Codacy combines code quality, AppSec and AI guardrails in one platform. Here's how Codacy compares to other tools teams evaluate alongside GitHub Advanced Security:

  • Codacy vs Wiz: developer-first code security and quality vs a cloud security platform.
  • Codacy vs Qodana: quality and AppSec in one platform vs JetBrains' code quality platform.
  • Codacy vs Aikido: two all-in-one AppSec platforms compared on quality, coverage and guardrails.
  • Codacy vs CodeAnt: AI guardrails and AI risk governance vs AI-first code review.
  • Codacy vs DeepSource: two code health platforms compared on coverage, security and pricing.
  • Codacy vs SonarQube: pipelineless cloud scanning and unlimited lines of code vs self-hosted servers.
  • Codacy vs Snyk: unified AppSec and code quality vs module-based security pricing.
  • Codacy vs CodeRabbit: codebase-wide quality and security vs AI review on open PRs.

SAST, secrets and SCA included, from prompt to runtime.

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