Comparison
LyraShield AI vs Semgrep
How LyraShield AI compares to Semgrep for AI-built application security. Evidence states, coverage framework, MCP integration and custom rules differences.
Last reviewed:
Where we differ
- A launch verdict in three states: ready, not ready or insufficient evidence.
- Every finding keeps its evidence state, and a fresh retest confirms a fix.
- Fix proposals wait for a human approval before any pull request opens.
Swipe comparison tables horizontally to read every column.
Core approach
| Aspect | LyraShield AI | Semgrep |
|---|---|---|
| Primary focus | Release assurance for AI-built apps: one record of what was tested, the evidence behind each result and what a retest established before shipping | Pattern-based static analysis, SCA, secrets, custom rules |
| Scanning approach | Deterministic scanners and AI-assisted review run as separate coverage layers, never a universal guarantee | Semantic pattern matching with data-flow and taint analysis |
| Finding lifecycle | Detected → retest-confirmed or inconclusive | Open → reviewing → fixed or ignored; AI auto-triage for false positives |
| Control framework | Vibe Security 50 (43 code/URL review + 7 evidence-required) | No coverage framework; offers OWASP Top 10 and language rulesets |
| Fix handling | Recorded fix proposals; a Fix PR request needs permission and a server-generated patch | AI-suggested fixes and autofix PRs that go through normal review |
| Custom rules | Not a primary feature | Yes — write custom rules in Semgrep syntax (key differentiator) |
| AI-generated code focus | Built for AI-built apps; scans agent rules, agent instruction files and AI patterns | Semgrep Multimodal (AI detection for business logic flaws); AI triage and autofix |
| Assurance record | Checksum-bound assurance report assembling coverage, findings, evidence states, retest outcomes and limitations | No release assurance record; finding-based dashboard |
Capability comparison
| Capability | LyraShield AI | Semgrep |
|---|---|---|
| Static analysis (SAST) | Deterministic + AI-assisted (separate layers) | Pattern-based |
| Custom rules | No | Yes (key feature) |
| SCA (dependency scanning) | Via engine | Yes (with reachability) |
| Secret scanning | Yes (engine + GitHub Action) | Yes (630+ credential types) |
| Evidence states | Yes (3 states: detected, retest-confirmed, inconclusive) | No |
| Deterministic retest | Yes | Auto-mark fixed when no longer detected |
| Coverage receipts | Yes (per-control) | No equivalent |
| Assurance reports | Yes (checksum-bound snapshots) | No equivalent |
| Reviewed fix proposals | Fix PR requests require permission and a server-generated patch | No equivalent (Autofix PRs are reviewed fixes) |
| MCP server integration | Yes (runs checks and records evidence inside AI coding agents) | Yes (Semgrep MCP server and Guardian plugin for coding agents) |
| Open-source CLI | CLI is npm-published | Yes (LGPL-2.1, Community Edition) |
Deployment and pricing
| Aspect | LyraShield AI | Semgrep |
|---|---|---|
| Deployment | Hosted + CLI + MCP + GitHub Action | AppSec Platform (SaaS), CLI (CE), IDE extensions, CI/CD integrations |
| Pricing | See pricing for current plan details | Check the vendor’s current pricing or sales quote |
| Languages | 13 source extensions; 7 dependency ecosystems | 30+ languages (GA, Beta, Experimental) |
When to use which
Use LyraShield AI when
- You need release assurance — a reviewable record of what was tested and the evidence behind it — before a ship decision
- Your app is AI-built and you need AI-specific pattern coverage
- You need recorded fix proposals and permission-gated Fix PR requests tied to a server-generated patch
- You need checksum-bound assurance reports for compliance or client handoff
- You want security checks inside your AI coding agent via MCP
Use Semgrep when
- You need fast, pattern-based scanning with custom rules
- You want an open-source CLI for local scanning (Community Edition)
- You need SCA with reachability analysis
- You want AI-powered triage to reduce false positive noise
Start a check
LyraShield AI is live and open for registration — create an account and run your first authorized check through the release-assurance loop: target, review, evidence, fix, retest, report. Prefer to explore first? Read the evidence methodology or try the free browser-local tools.
Where Semgrep is genuinely strong
Semgrep is the tool most developers reach for when they want lightweight, customizable static analysis. Its introduction documentation describes support for more than 30 programming languages and a registry of community rules. Its source repository is open source under an LGPL licence and explains that rules are written in a syntax resembling the code being scanned, which makes custom rule authoring approachable without a separate query language.
The commercial AppSec Platform adds cross-file and interfile taint analysis, reachability checks for open-source dependencies, secrets detection, pull request comments and an AI Assistant for triage and remediation. The Semgrep team states in its own documentation that Community Edition, limited to single-function analysis, will miss many true positives and recommends the platform for real security use cases.
Its ecosystem is a real strength. Semgrep Supply Chain covers reachable vulnerabilities in open-source dependencies. Semgrep also ships an MCP server and the Guardian plugin for Claude Code and Cursor, so its findings can reach coding agents.
Sources
- Semgrep introduction
- Semgrep source repository
- Semgrep supported languages
- Semgrep Supply Chain overview
- Semgrep MCP server
- Semgrep pricing
Methodology and scope
This comparison describes published capabilities, not an independent test of either product. Client workflow availability and commercial terms can change. Read how LyraShield tests, records evidence and reports coverage for its assurance model and verify vendor details before a purchasing decision.
LyraShield pricing
Trial: 60 one-time agent-minutes; Starter $29/month; Pro $99/month; Agency $499/month; Enterprise from $1,500/month.
View pricing and plan limitsFrequently asked questions
- Does LyraShield replace Semgrep?
- No. Semgrep excels at fast, customizable pattern-based scanning with rules that look like code, 30+ languages and an LGPL Community Edition. LyraShield in open beta is not a general SAST engine; it pairs agentic pentest with SCA and secrets to produce evidence states and a checksum-bound assurance record for release decisions.
- Can I use Semgrep and LyraShield together?
- Yes. Both emit SARIF and run in CI, so findings can coexist in GitHub code scanning. Teams can run Semgrep Community or AppSec Platform for continuous custom-rule detection throughout development and add LyraShield's target, review, evidence, fix, retest, report loop for the release gate, with reviewed fix proposals.
- When should I choose Semgrep over LyraShield?
- Choose Semgrep when you need deterministic, developer-controlled scanning with custom rules, open-source local CLI and reachability-aware SCA. Its registry with 1000+ rules and AI-assisted triage makes it ideal for continuous feedback. Use LyraShield when scoped evidence and reviewed fix proposals would help inform your release review.
- Is LyraShield free like Semgrep Community Edition?
- No, not in the same way. Semgrep CE is free and open-source; Semgrep's platform has a free tier for small teams and paid Team tiers, which are priced per contributor on the vendor's pricing page. LyraShield is live in open beta with open registration and published pricing at lyrashieldai.com/pricing, so evaluate on outcome, not list price.
What happens next
Run the free Lite Check on your own app, then start a trial to review the repository behind it.