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:
Factual comparison. Semgrep by Semgrep Inc. provides pattern-based static analysis with custom rules, SCA, and secrets detection. LyraShield AI is a live, open-beta release-assurance platform for AI-built apps — it turns an authorized target, retained evidence, and a fresh retest into one reviewable assurance record. Neither replaces the other.
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 → independently verified → retest-confirmed or inconclusive (detection stays separate from proof) | Open → reviewing → fixed or ignored; AI auto-triage for false positives |
| Control framework | Vibe Security 50 (43 code/URL review + 7 evidence-required) | No published control framework; rule-based detection |
| Fix handling | Approval-gated fix proposals — PR execution stays blocked until a server-generated patch is bound to the exact approval | AI autofix suggestions (not approval-bound) |
| 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, MCP configs, AI patterns | Semgrep Multimodal (AI detection for business logic flaws); AI triage and autofix |
| Assurance record | Immutable 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 (4 states: detected, independently verified, retest-confirmed, inconclusive) | No |
| Deterministic retest | Yes | Auto-mark fixed when no longer detected |
| Coverage receipts | Yes (per-control) | No |
| Assurance reports | Yes (immutable snapshots) | No |
| Approval-gated fix proposals | Yes (server-generated patch bound to approval) | No |
| MCP server integration | Yes (23+ agents) | No |
| 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 | Open beta; pricing announced as it matures | Free ≤10 contributors; Teams from $30/contributor/mo (Code & Supply Chain) or $15/contributor/mo (Secrets); Enterprise custom |
| Languages | Language-agnostic (deterministic + agentic coverage) | 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 approval-gated fixes where PR execution stays blocked until a server-generated patch is bound to exact approval
- You need immutable 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.
Methodology and scope
Every claim on this page is drawn from publicly documented capabilities at the date above. Read how LyraShield tests, records evidence, and reports coverage for the assurance model behind the comparison, and treat anything not stated there as out of scope.
For the long-form version of this comparison, including the evidence model and where each tool fits a release gate, read LyraShield AI vs Semgrep.
Frequently 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 an immutable 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 commonly run Semgrep Community or AppSec Platform for continuous custom-rule detection throughout development, then add LyraShield's target, review, evidence, fix, retest, report loop for the release gate, with approval-gated 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 the bottleneck is proving exploitability and signing off before ship.
- Is LyraShield free like Semgrep Community Edition?
- No, not in the same way. Semgrep CE is free and open-source; Semgrep AppSec Platform has a free tier up to 10 contributors and Teams from $30 per contributor per month. LyraShield is live in open beta with open registration and pricing to be announced, so evaluate on outcome, not list price.