Top 10 Static Application Security Testing (SAST) Tools in 2025

Updated October 21, 2024

Imagine you’re all prepared to roll out your latest feature, and suddenly, right before launch, you discover a security vulnerability concealed in your code.

Depending on the severity, developers can spend anywhere from 7 hours to days or even months finding and fixing these vulnerabilities. A critical vulnerability could set your release back by weeks, while a simple fix might take a day.

By implementing Static Application Security Testing (SAST) Tools throughout the development process, DevSecOps teams can significantly reduce the likelihood of discovering critical security vulnerabilities just before launch.

This proactive approach to security helps ensure that code is secure from the start, saving time and resources and potentially reducing reputational damage associated with last-minute security fixes or delayed releases. With tools constantly emerging and updating, let’s look at the top SAST tools for 2025.

Source

What are Static Application Security Tools?

During the development stage, Static Application Testing Tools (SAST)  analyzes the source code to pinpoint vulnerabilities in code weaknesses without actually running the application itself.  

In the past, they were useful in stopping problems such as SQL injection and XSS attacks, and this still remains a part of the present security plan. Although, today as cloud-based architectures have become more prominent, improved modern SAST tools are much needed. And why is that? Because they are aimed to better manage more complex security risks such as broken access control and cryptographic flaws, and also ensure that these issues are addressed on time, before they become costly, time-consuming problems. 

This proactive approach aligns with the “shift-left” trend that prioritizes security in the development phase. This helps teams improve their security and streamline workflows, resulting in the creation of higher-quality software applications.

The Advantages of Static Application Tools

Source

Here are a few benefits for using SAST tools:

• Improved Security and Code Quality: Static Application Security Testing tools search your code repository for vulnerabilities that result in an increase in security and code quality.
• Hidden Detection of Vulnerabilities: Because SAST delves directly into the source code itself, vulnerabilities that might otherwise remain undetected can be uncovered. These vulnerabilities are often not apparent from the end and this process allows for a more manageable and scalable codebase over time.
• Reducing Technical Debt: Static Application Security Testing (SAST) is essential for keeping debt in check by identifying and addressing vulnerabilities in the early phases of development. This results in a codebase that’s way easier to maintain and scales over time.
• Secure, Stable Release Cycle: Including SAST tools earlier in your process lets you quickly attend to security issues in the software cycle. This, in turn, reduces the possibility of rework and vulnerabilities at the outset of development,resulting in a more smooth and secure software release.
• Seamless DevOps Integration: A DevOps integration involves integrating SAST tools into your CI/CD pipelines for real-time vulnerability detection and resolution without stopping the development cycle.
• Enhancing Efficiency and Productivity: Automated security checks from SAST tools are designed to boost efficiency and productivity by freeing developers from the process of manual code reviews, allowing them more time for creative and strategic tasks.

Top 10 SAST Tools to Know in 2024

1. Checkmarx 

Source

This software has gained a lot of popularity within the developer community lately. To date, Checkmarx is considered one of the top options for SAST tools on the market. It is predominantly known for supporting a wide range of languages and also for being able to integrate seamlessly with other tools. This helps development teams keep their security measures without sacrificing speed or effectiveness.

Key features:

• Extensive Language Compatibility: Can scan several programming languages, including Java, JavaScript, and Python, to a great extent.
• Scalability: Designed to handle huge tasks with optimal ease and efficiency.
• CI/CD Integration: Allows teams to find early vulnerabilities in development as it seamlessly integrates into CI/CD pipelines.
• Use of Advanced AI technology: Developers can properly handle security concerns, removing the need to review irrelevant alerts. Its machine learning and artificial intelligence technology greatly lower false positives, enabling a more focused approach to security management.

Best for: Ideal for medium to large enterprises seeking robust multi-language support and seamless CI/CD integration to optimize their threat management capabilities.

2. Spectral

Source

While not a SAST tool per se, Spectral’s advanced code security platform can protect from security misconfigurations and broken access control across the entire Cloud Native stack in a way that complements traditional SAST 

Key features:

• Real-time Scanning Capabilities: Perfectly connects with your CI/CD pipelines and IDEs to provide instant comments to improve your development effectiveness.
• AI-driven Detection: Possesses exceptional capability to easily identify sensitive data exposures such as API keys, secrets, and credentials throughout the software supply chain.
• Powerful Scanning Engine: This is a crucial must-have capability for modern development pipelines. Spectral’s powerful scanning engine can precisely identify security vulnerabilities and misconfigurations in cloud-native ecosystems.
• Accuracy and Precision: AI-driven tools empower developers to minimize false positives, allowing them to focus on securing their code efficiently and confidently.
• Low False Positive Rate: Spectral’s sophisticated algorithms and ongoing learning models deliver a low false positive rate, cutting out unnecessary noise so you can concentrate on real security issues rather than getting distracted by false alarms.

Best for: DevOps teams, cloud-native developers, and security-conscious enterprises who need real-time security assessments across their development workflows.

3. Veracode

Source
Veracode is your best choice if you are searching for a complete solution covering SAST and Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST). This solution is quite flexible for organizations that run complicated, multi-language projects since it performs exceptionally well scanning code created in several languages and frameworks. 

Key features:

• Integration of SAST and DAST: Offers a comprehensive security evaluation that makes use of both SAST for source code analysis and DAST for runtime vulnerability identification. This helps in identifying and resolving a wide range of security concerns.
• Scalability: It effectively handles large codebases without stopping the development process, enabling extensive projects, which is its biggest strength.
• CI/CD Integration: Seamlessly integrates with CI/CD pipelines, facilitating continuous testing and delivering prompt feedback.

Best for: Suitable for those organizations with complex, multi-framework projects that require in-depth, continuous security testing without disrupting development workflows.

4. JIT

Source

This solution is new in the SAST arena, but JIT  has already gained significant traction from the developers community. Their emphasis is on automating application security procedures.  Unlike many other traditional SAST solutions, JIT uses a developer-first approach to enable developers to keep productivity levels while securing their code. 

Key features:

• Developer-first Approach: This approach empowers developers to sustain their productivity by integrating continuous security insights seamlessly into their coding workflow.
• Real-time Problem Resolution: Developers are able to identify and resolve issues instantly due to their continuous security feedback which in turn avoids the need for post-release patches.
• Integration with CI/CD Pipelines: The powerful integration with modern CI/CD pipelines ensures that security is woven into the software development lifecycle right from the beginning.
• Integration with Semgrep: Along with Semgrep, this integration makes JIT even better by adding Semgrep’s powerful rule sets. This makes it even easier to find and fix vulnerability issues. 
• Reduction of False Positives: Focused on minimizing false positives via actionable insights. This ensures smooth integration into the workflow.

Best for: Those looking for an SAST tool that prioritizes automation and integration and enables enhanced productivity while simultaneously ensuring strong application security.

5. Snyk Code

Source

Synk Code has evolved and made its way into the top SAST tools list for a reason. It focuses heavily on open-source security, which helps developers catch vulnerabilities early on in the development cycle.

Key features:

• Focused on Open-source: This area of expertise is centered on pinpointing vulnerabilities in open-source code, which is essential for contemporary software projects.
• Real-time Feedback: Developers get immediate feedback on security issues as they start to code, thanks to its real-time scanning capabilities. This leads to a more efficient and secure development process.
• CI/CD Integration: Another tool that seamlessly integrates with CI/CD pipelines, making it easier to identify and address security issues in both proprietary and open-source code.

Best for: If you want to leverage open-source components, then this tool is for you as it offers prompt feedback and integrates smoothly with development pipelines.

6. Myror Security

Source

Myror Security has its own category. The reason it stands apart from other tools is its unique approach of integrating security testing with threat intelligence like no one else. This SAST tool goes beyond merely spotting coding issues; it also reveals potential exploitation methods by leveraging real-world threat data.  The outcome is a more dynamic analysis that not only alerts engineers to potential bugs but also educates them on how those vulnerabilities could be exploited by attackers.

Key features:

• Threat Intelligence Integration: This is its star feature – it makes use of real-world data to deliver insights on possible exploitation techniques.
• Dynamic Analysis: Going beyond just basic detection, it provides a deeper understanding of vulnerabilities, to include potential attack vectors.
• Educational Insights: Helps engineers grasp and analyze the real-world impact of vulnerabilities present in their code.

Best for: Security-focused teams who need a deeper understanding of how vulnerabilities might be exploited while also adding that learning into the development process.

7. GitLab

Source

GitLab has surpassed the role of being a static analysis tool; it has transformed into a robust DevOps platform that seamlessly integrates static analysis within your continuous integration workflow. This SAST tool, included in GitLab’s package, empowers developers to identify vulnerabilities in their code throughout the CI/CD process. 

Key features:

• Integrated SAST: Automatically identifies security vulnerabilities in the continuous integration pipeline.
• In-depth Reporting: Provides powerful reporting features that enable developers to effectively track and manage security issues.
• Git Integration: Seamlessly integrates with Git, making it a perfect match for teams that are already utilizing this version of the control system.

Best for: Those enterprises that have complicated deployment needs and are also looking for a cohesive DevSecOps platform, Gitlab is a good choice for them. 

8. Qwiet AI (previously known as ShiftLeft)

Source

Rebranded from ShiftLeft to QwietAI, this tool lets developers move security tests early on in the software lifecycle . By means of direct integration into CI/CD pipelines, it provides real-time insights into security vulnerabilities.

Key features: 

• Early Security Testing: Incorporates security measures right from the early stages of software development.
• Real-time Insights: Delivers instant feedback on security vulnerabilities, enabling swift remediation actions.
• Ability to Manage Large Codebases: Effectively processes extensive codebases with rapid and precise scanning.

Best for: It is ideal for those developers who seek a SAST tool that facilitates early and effective security testing integrated into their CI/CD workflows.

9. Mend (formerly WhiteSource)

Source

After its rebranding from WhiteSource, Mend now provides strong SAST capabilities that help organizations manage open-source components and pinpoint vulnerabilities effectively.

• Open-source Focus: Focuses on the administration and security of open-source components.
• Comprehensive Security Options: Provides a wide range of security solutions that cater to a variety of requirements.
• Effective Vulnerability Detection: Identifies vulnerabilities across many different codebases.

Best for: You can opt for Mend if you use a lot of open-source software and need extensive vulnerability management support.

10. Semgrep Code

Source

Semgrep Code is a flexible and lightweight SAST tool that everyone values for its user-friendly interface and capability to create custom rules. Its unique feature is its customizability, empowering developers to create and enforce rules tailored to their specific codebases.

Key features: 

• Custom Rule Creation: Gives developers the ability to design and implement security and compliance rules that are uniquely suited to their codebase.
• An Intuitive Interface: Known for its simplicity, it enables rapid adoption and seamless integration.
• Flexible and Lightweight: Provides a versatile setup that can be tailored to meet the specific needs of your team.

Best for: Ideal for organizations looking for a tool that is customizable and also user-friendly and at the same time, lets them define and enforce their own security standards.

Choose the Right SAST Tool for Proactive Security

It’s clear that Static Application Security Testing (SAST) tools remain quintessential for maintaining secure code. Advancements in AI-driven analysis, seamless integration with CI/CD pipelines, and a strong focus on reducing false positives have made these tools an absolute must in the current landscape.

Spectral play a crucial role in strengthening security postures. Spectral’s advanced code security platform compliments traditional SAST tools by effectively protecting against security misconfigurations and broken access control in cloud-native stacks, addressing challenges that traditional SAST tools frequently overlook. Ready to take your security strategy to the next level? Explore Spectral today and discover how it can help secure and streamline your development process.