Hyrax vs Semgrep: scanner findings vs verified fixes

Why this comparison matters now#

Technical leaders need to decide how reported issues become reviewed code changes. A 2025 vendor comparison frames detection and remediation as separate steps. A scanner can identify a problem, but an engineer still must assess the finding and prepare the fix. Scanner backlogs grow when findings arrive faster than engineers can resolve them.

Semgrep uses fast, rule-based static analysis to report issues for triage. Hyrax performs autonomous code review and fixing across all code, then submits changes for engineer review and merge. Semgrep's unit of work is a finding. Hyrax's unit of work is a reviewed fix that an engineer can merge.

Snapshot comparison#

Each product produces a different unit of work.

How this comparison was scored#

Scoring favored fixed code that ships over raw feature count. Detection and remediation mechanisms show whether a tool reports an issue or produces a proposed fix. Coverage breadth shows which code and issue types each tool can assess.

CI/CD placement determines when each tool acts. The path from finding to merged code measures the manual work required before a fix reaches production.

What Semgrep does#

Semgrep is a rule-based static analysis engine that reports code findings. Community Edition uses pattern matching and taint analysis within a single file or function. The AppSec Platform adds cross-file and cross-function analysis for deeper data-flow tracing.

Semgrep Code scans first-party source code for security issues. Supply Chain checks third-party dependencies and uses reachability analysis to identify vulnerable functions that the application calls. Secrets detects credentials, API keys, and tokens embedded in code. Assistant triages findings and supplies remediation context, but a developer still applies and completes the fix.

Semgrep's reported product figures describe support for more than 30 languages in Community Edition. Its registry contains more than 3,000 community rules, while the Platform adds more than 20,000 Pro rules. Semgrep also reports a median CI scan time of 10 seconds.

Semgrep works well as a fast CI gate for known patterns. Its primary unit of work remains a reported finding that developers review and resolve.

What Hyrax does#

Hyrax provides continuous code remediation through autonomous code review and fixing. Hyrax runs its own analysis across all code, including human-written and AI-written code, then creates pull requests with proposed fixes.

As of August 2026, Hyrax groups its analysis into six domains and its product activity into four workflows. The domains are security, correctness, maintainability, performance, architecture, and operations. The workflows are Scan, Fix, Improve, and Govern.

Hyrax does not auto-merge fixes. An engineer reviews and merges each pull request, and PR reviews in GitHub are free. The completed unit of work is an engineer-approved fix merged into the codebase.

Rule-based scanning vs LLM-based code review#

Semgrep produces findings by evaluating source code against registered rules. Pattern rules identify specified syntax or behavior, while taint rules trace data between defined sources and sinks. Community Edition performs single-file and single-function analysis, while the AppSec Platform adds cross-file and cross-function dataflow analysis. Its registry includes more than 3,000 community rules and more than 20,000 proprietary rules.

Hyrax uses an LLM to review implementation details and surrounding code in a way that resembles senior engineering review. The model can assess intent and code context without requiring a registered rule for each issue. Hyrax runs its own analysis across all code, including code written without AI assistance. It then performs code review and fixing by submitting a mergeable pull request.

Each mechanism produces a different unit of work. Semgrep reports code that matches a rule and can add triage or remediation guidance. Hyrax carries an identified issue into a proposed code change. Hyrax does not auto-merge fixes. An engineer reviews and merges each pull request, so the workflow can end with reviewed, merged code rather than a flagged line.

Where each fits in the CI/CD pipeline#

Semgrep fits into CI/CD as a fast gate before merge. It scans each change against configured rules, reports findings, and can block changes under the repository's policy. Semgrep reports a median CI scan time of 10 seconds, which supports frequent checks on pull requests and build runs.

Hyrax participates throughout development through its Scan, Fix, Improve, and Govern workflows. Scan identifies issues, while Fix submits code changes as pull requests. Improve addresses broader code quality work, and Govern applies defined engineering policies. Hyrax runs its own analysis rather than relying on Semgrep findings.

Every Hyrax fix stays inside the existing review process. Hyrax does not auto-merge fixes. An engineer reviews and merges each pull request, so CI tests and approval rules still control what enters the codebase.

A combined pipeline can use Semgrep for rapid rule-based enforcement and Hyrax for continuous code review and fixing. Each product keeps a distinct unit of work. Semgrep produces a finding, while Hyrax submits a fix for engineering review.

Coverage: rules and languages vs all code across six domains#

Semgrep coverage follows its language support, enabled rules, and analysis engine. Community Edition applies pattern matching and taint analysis within supported code, while the AppSec Platform adds Pro rules and cross-file analysis for selected languages and frameworks. The documented coverage matrix therefore varies by edition, language, and rule set.

Hyrax reviews all code against the six domains defined earlier. Its coverage does not depend on a scanner rule matching a known pattern. Hyrax runs its own analysis, reviews the surrounding code and context, and submits fixes for engineer review.

Hyrax does not ingest Semgrep findings or findings from other scanners. Each product produces work through its own analysis. Semgrep reports findings covered by its configured rules, while Hyrax performs code review and fixing across the codebase.

Running Semgrep and Hyrax together#

Semgrep and Hyrax can occupy separate layers in the same delivery pipeline. Semgrep provides a fast rule-based gate for known patterns. Hyrax runs its own continuous code review and fixing across all code, including issues that predefined rules may not describe.

The pairing works because each tool produces a different unit of work. Semgrep reports a finding that enters the remediation backlog. Hyrax creates a fix as a pull request, and an engineer reviews and merges the change. Hyrax does not ingest Semgrep findings, so each tool keeps its own analysis path.

A pipeline can retain Semgrep checks while Hyrax handles continuous remediation in parallel. Semgrep keeps established policy checks close to CI/CD. Hyrax examines broader code quality concerns and submits changes through the existing review path. The combined setup preserves fast detection while giving the codebase a separate route to reviewed, merged fixes.

Verdict: which to run, and when#

Semgrep fits teams that need a fast, rule-based CI gate for known patterns. Its unit of work is a reported finding, so the team retains responsibility for triage and remediation.

Hyrax fits teams that want continuous code remediation across all code. Hyrax runs its own analysis and provides autonomous code review and fixing. An engineer reviews each fix PR and decides whether to merge it.

A mature pipeline should run both when it needs rule-based detection and continuous fixing. Semgrep supplies the gate, while Hyrax carries remediation through engineer-reviewed code.

FAQs#

Does Hyrax replace Semgrep?

Replacement depends on the required unit of work. Hyrax runs its own analysis for continuous code review and fixing, while Semgrep provides rule-based findings. Running both preserves a fast scanning gate and adds reviewed fixes.

Does Hyrax auto-merge fixes?

Auto-merge applies code changes without engineer approval. Hyrax does not auto-merge fixes. An engineer reviews and merges every pull request.

What counts as a contributor in Semgrep's paid plan?

A contributor is a person whose activity affects billing. Semgrep counts anyone who committed to a scanned private repository during the previous 90 days. Buyers can estimate cost by checking recent commit activity.

Does Hyrax review only AI-written code?

AI-written code comes from a code generation tool. Hyrax reviews all code, regardless of its author. Full-codebase review applies the same checks to generated and human-written changes.

How does Hyrax pricing work?

Credit-based pricing charges against product usage. Hyrax offers a Free plan and a Paid plan that use credits. Buyers can compare expected usage without counting contributors.

The takeaway#

Technical leaders should evaluate Semgrep and Hyrax by the unit of work each adds to delivery. A reported finding gives an engineer evidence to assess. A reviewed and merged fix removes the issue and records an engineer's approval.

Semgrep and Hyrax can support separate jobs in the same CI/CD process. Semgrep supplies rule-based findings. Hyrax runs its own analysis and submits fixes for code review and engineer-controlled merge. The right choice depends on whether the codebase needs more detection, more fixing capacity, or both. Ship clean code.