Top 10 Open Source Alternatives to CodeMetrix Security Scanner in 2025

As security in software development continues to be of paramount importance, 2025 has brought forth several robust open-source security scanning alternatives to CodeMetrix Security Scanner. This article explores the top 10 alternatives, detailing their primary function, key features, customization capabilities, and more.

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1. Semgrep

Primary Function: SAST (Static Application Security Testing)
Customization: Highly customizable rules allow you to tailor the tool for specific needs.
Language Support: Supports a wide range of programming languages.
Integration: Can be integrated into CI/CD pipelines.
AI Capabilities: AI assistant uses context of surrounding code to provide more accurate results and code fixes.
Learn more about Semgrep

2. SonarQube

Primary Function: Code Quality and SAST
Community: Over 7 million developers and 400,000 organizations.
Deployment: Available as on-premise or cloud-deployed solution.
Integration: Integrates with popular DevOps platforms.
Features: AI-powered features to safeguard against bad or insecure code.
Explore SonarQube

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3. Bandit

Primary Function: SAST (Static Application Security Testing) for Python
Language Support: Python
Use Case: Focuses on identifying common security vulnerabilities in Python code.
Customization: Can be integrated into CI/CD pipelines.
Licensing: Free and Open Source.
Discover Bandit

4. Coverity Scan (for Open Source)

Primary Function: SAST (Static Application Security Testing)
Languages: Supports Java, C/C++, Python, JavaScript, and more.
Analysis: Provides deep insights into code quality and security.
Usage: Over 9,000 open-source projects benefit from this service.
Integration: Integrates with Git, Maven, and Ant build systems.
Learn more about Coverity Scan

5. OWASP ZAP (Zed Attack Proxy)

Primary Function: DAST (Dynamic Application Security Testing)
Features: Automated scanner, passive scanner, intercepting proxy, and fuzzer.
Ease of Use: Suitable for both beginners and experts.
Customization: Extensible and customizable.
Usage: Widely used by security teams and developers.
Explore OWASP ZAP

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6. W3af

Primary Function: DAST (Dynamic Application Security Testing)
Usage: Identifies and exploits web application vulnerabilities.
Features: Includes various plugins for different testing aspects.
Licensing: Free and Open Source.
Customization: Highly customizable with a plugin-based architecture.
Discover W3af

7. OWASP Dependency-Check

Primary Function: SCA (Software Composition Analysis)
Use Case: Ideal for DevSecOps pipelines.
Integration: Easy to integrate into CI/CD.
Detection: Identifies known vulnerabilities in project dependencies.
Licensing: Free and Open Source.
Learn more about OWASP Dependency-Check

8. OSV-SCALIBR

Primary Function: SCA (Software Composition Analysis)
Capabilities: Scans packages, binaries, and source code.
OS Support: Scans OS packages on Linux, Windows, and macOS.
SBOM Generation: Generates software bills of materials (SBOMs) in SPDX and CycloneDX formats.
Language Ecosystems: Supports major languages (Go, Java, JavaScript, Python, Ruby, etc.)
Explore OSV-SCALIBR

9. Dependency-Track

Primary Function: SCA (Software Composition Analysis)
Focus: Identifies vulnerabilities in open-source components.
Features: Provides a centralized view of dependencies and vulnerabilities.
Integration: Integrates with CI/CD pipelines.
Licensing: Free and Open Source.
Discover Dependency-Track

10. OpenVAS

Primary Function: Vulnerability Scanning
Coverage: Comprehensive coverage with extensive plugins.
Updates: Regularly updated vulnerability database.
Deployment: Can be deployed as a pre-built virtual machine.
Licensing: Free and Open Source.
Learn more about OpenVAS

Important Considerations:

Integration: When choosing a tool, verify that it integrates with your development environment, CI/CD pipelines, and other security tools.
Customization: Some tools, like Semgrep, are highly customizable, which is crucial for tailoring the analysis to your specific needs.
Community & Support: Check for community support and documentation availability as they are very important with open-source tools.
False Positives: Every tool can generate false positives. It is important to understand how to tune a tool so they are minimized.
Type of Analysis: Some tools focus on SAST, DAST, SCA, or a combination of these. Pick a tool that aligns with your requirements.

This list should provide a good starting point for finding the best open-source alternative to CodeMetrix Security Scanner that fits your needs. Remember to thoroughly evaluate each tool in your environment before implementing it.

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FAQ

1. What is the best open-source alternative to CodeMetrix for SAST?

Semgrep is a highly customizable and flexible SAST tool, making it an excellent choice for open-source security scanning. Learn more about Semgrep

2. Which alternative is best for continuous code quality inspection?

SonarQube is ideal for continuous inspection of code quality and security, used by over 7 million developers. Discover SonarQube

3. What is a good SAST tool for Python applications?

Bandit is designed specifically for Python applications and identifies common security vulnerabilities in Python code. Explore Bandit

4. Are there free SAST tools available for open-source projects?

Coverity Scan offers a free SAST service for open-source projects, supporting various programming languages. Learn about Coverity Scan

5. Which DAST tool is beginner-friendly but powerful for web application security?

OWASP ZAP (Zed Attack Proxy) is suitable for both beginners and experts, offering a free and robust solution for web application security testing. Discover OWASP ZAP

6. Is there an open-source tool for identifying and exploiting web application vulnerabilities?

w3af is an open-source DAST tool that helps identify and exploit web application vulnerabilities. Explore w3af

7. What is a reliable SCA tool for identifying known vulnerabilities in dependencies?

OWASP Dependency-Check is an open-source SCA tool optimal for detecting known vulnerabilities in project dependencies. Learn more about OWASP Dependency-Check

8. Which open-source tool offers extensive SCA and file system scanning capabilities?

OSV-SCALIBR, released by Google, is a powerful tool for SCA and file system scanning, supporting multiple OS packages. Discover OSV-SCALIBR

9. What is the best tool for tracking open-source components and their vulnerabilities?

Dependency-Track helps organizations identify vulnerabilities in open-source components while offering integration with CI/CD pipelines. Explore Dependency-Track

10. What is a robust open-source vulnerability scanning solution for infrastructure security?

OpenVAS, managed by Greenbone Networks, provides comprehensive vulnerability scanning coverage with regular updates. Learn more about OpenVAS

About the Author

Violetta Bonenkamp, also known as MeanCEO, is an experienced startup founder with an impressive educational background including an MBA and four other higher education degrees. She has over 20 years of work experience across multiple countries, including 5 years as a solopreneur and serial entrepreneur. She’s been living, studying and working in many countries around the globe and her extensive multicultural experience has influenced her immensely.

Violetta is a true multiple specialist who has built expertise in Linguistics, Education, Business Management, Blockchain, Entrepreneurship, Intellectual Property, Game Design, AI, SEO, Digital Marketing, cyber security and zero code automations. Her extensive educational journey includes a Master of Arts in Linguistics and Education, an Advanced Master in Linguistics from Belgium (2006-2007), an MBA from Blekinge Institute of Technology in Sweden (2006-2008), and an Erasmus Mundus joint program European Master of Higher Education from universities in Norway, Finland, and Portugal (2009).

She is the founder of Fe/male Switch, a startup game that encourages women to enter STEM fields, and also leads CADChain, and multiple other projects like the Directory of 1,000 Startup Cities with a proprietary MeanCEO Index that ranks cities for female entrepreneurs. Violetta created the "gamepreneurship" methodology, which forms the scientific basis of her startup game. She also builds a lot of SEO tools for startups. Her achievements include being named one of the top 100 women in Europe by EU Startups in 2022 and being nominated for Impact Person of the year at the Dutch Blockchain Week. She is an author with Sifted and a speaker at different Universities. Recently she published a book on Startup Idea Validation the right way: from zero to first customers and beyond and launched a Directory of 1,500+ websites for startups to list themselves in order to gain traction and build backlinks.

For the past several years Violetta has been living between the Netherlands and Malta, while also regularly traveling to different destinations around the globe, usually due to her entrepreneurial activities. This has led her to start writing about different locations and amenities from the POV of an entrepreneur. Here’s her recent article about the best hotels in Italy to work from.

About the Publication

Fe/male Switch is an innovative startup platform designed to empower women entrepreneurs through an immersive, game-like experience. Founded in 2020 during the pandemic "without any funding and without any code," this non-profit initiative has evolved into a comprehensive educational tool for aspiring female entrepreneurs.The platform was co-founded by Violetta Shishkina-Bonenkamp, who serves as CEO and one of the lead authors of the Startup News branch.

Mission and Purpose

Fe/male Switch Foundation was created to address the gender gap in the tech and entrepreneurship space. The platform aims to skill-up future female tech leaders and empower them to create resilient and innovative tech startups through what they call "gamepreneurship". By putting players in a virtual startup village where they must survive and thrive, the startup game allows women to test their entrepreneurial abilities without financial risk.

Key Features

The platform offers a unique blend of news, resources,learning, networking, and practical application within a supportive, female-focused environment:

Skill Lab: Micro-modules covering essential startup skills
Virtual Startup Building: Create or join startups and tackle real-world challenges
AI Co-founder (PlayPal): Guides users through the startup process
SANDBOX: A testing environment for idea validation before launch
Wellness Integration: Virtual activities to balance work and self-care
Marketplace: Buy or sell expert sessions and tutorials

Impact and Growth

Since its inception, Fe/male Switch has shown impressive growth:

3,000+ female entrepreneurs in the community
100+ startup tools built
5,000+ pieces of articles and news written

Partnerships

Fe/male Switch has formed strategic partnerships to enhance its offerings. In January 2022, it teamed up with global website builder Tilda to provide free access to website building tools and mentorship services for Fe/male Switch participants.

Recognition

Fe/male Switch has received media attention for its innovative approach to closing the gender gap in tech entrepreneurship. The platform has been featured in various publications highlighting its unique "play to learn and earn" model.