# Contrast Security, HCL AppScan vs Checkmarx Comparison

| | Contrast Security | HCL AppScan | Checkmarx | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Star Rating** | 4.5 out of 5 | 4.1 out of 5 | 4.2 out of 5 | 
| **Total Reviews** | 49 | 76 | 36 | 
| **Largest Market Segment** | Enterprise (67.3% of reviews) | Enterprise (53.4% of reviews) | Enterprise (53.1% of reviews) | 
| **Entry Level Price** | No pricing available | Free | No pricing available | 

---
## Top Pros & Cons

### Contrast Security

Pros:
- Accuracy of Findings (2 reviews)
- Accuracy of Results (2 reviews)

Cons:
- Complex Setup (1 reviews)
- Difficult Setup (1 reviews)

### HCL AppScan

**Not enough data**

### Checkmarx

Pros:
- Implementation Ease (2 reviews)
- User Interface (2 reviews)

Cons:
- False Positives (1 reviews)
- Lacking Features (1 reviews)

---
## Ratings Comparison
| Rating | Contrast Security | HCL AppScan | Checkmarx | 
|---|---|---|---|
  | **Meets Requirements** | 8.7 (40 reviews) | 8.7 (60 reviews) | 8.6 (27 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Use** | 8.6 (41 reviews) | 8.6 (63 reviews) | 8.2 (27 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Setup** | 7.8 (27 reviews) | 8.5 (32 reviews) | 7.7 (13 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Admin** | 8.9 (27 reviews) | 8.6 (32 reviews) | 7.9 (13 reviews) | 
  | **Quality of Support** | 9.3 (39 reviews) | 8.5 (61 reviews) | 8.3 (22 reviews) | 
  | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | 9.0 (27 reviews) | 8.8 (31 reviews) | 8.3 (12 reviews) | 
  | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 9.1 (38 reviews) | 8.4 (59 reviews) | 7.5 (23 reviews) | 

---
## Pricing

### Contrast Security

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

Yes

### HCL AppScan

#### Entry-Level Pricing

Plan: HCL AppScan CodeSweep

Price: Free

Description: Free-to-use security tool for developers alike who need to "spell check" and fix their code, as they write it, in multiple IDEs.

Key Features:
- Ideal for Developers

[Browse all 3 editions](https://www.g2.com/products/hcl-appscan/pricing)

#### Free Trial

Yes

### Checkmarx

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

Yes

---
## Features Comparison By Category

### Static Application Security Testing (SAST)

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Contrast Security** | 8.6/10 | 11 |
| **HCL AppScan** | 8.1/10 | 24 |
| **Checkmarx** | 7.8/10 | 6 |

#### Administration

| Feature | Contrast Security | HCL AppScan | Checkmarx | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **API / Integrations** | 9.5 (7 reviews) | 8.3 (22 reviews) | 8.3 (5 reviews) | 
| **Extensibility** | 8.8 (8 reviews) | 8.5 (21 reviews) | 8.3 (5 reviews) | 

#### Analysis

| Feature | Contrast Security | HCL AppScan | Checkmarx | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Reporting and Analytics** | 9.0 (10 reviews) | 8.7 (23 reviews) | 8.6 (6 reviews) | 
| **Issue Tracking** | 8.8 (10 reviews) | 7.8 (22 reviews) | 8.1 (6 reviews) | 
| **Static Code Analysis** | 8.8 (10 reviews) | 8.4 (23 reviews) | 8.3 (6 reviews) | 
| **Code Analysis** | 8.7 (10 reviews) | 8.0 (23 reviews) | 8.7 (5 reviews) | 

#### Testing

| Feature | Contrast Security | HCL AppScan | Checkmarx | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Command-Line Tools** | 8.6 (7 reviews) | 7.6 (21 reviews) | 7.7 (5 reviews) | 
| **Manual Testing** | 8.3 (7 reviews) | 7.8 (21 reviews) | 7.3 (5 reviews) | 
| **Test Automation** | 8.3 (5 reviews) | 8.4 (20 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Compliance Testing** | 8.5 (8 reviews) | 7.9 (21 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Black-Box Scanning** | 9.0 (7 reviews) | 8.3 (20 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Detection Rate** | 8.5 (9 reviews) | 8.3 (22 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **False Positives** | 7.5 (10 reviews) | 7.3 (22 reviews) | 5.3 (5 reviews) | 

#### Agentic AI - Static Application Security Testing (SAST)

| Feature | Contrast Security | HCL AppScan | Checkmarx | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Autonomous Task Execution** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST)

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Contrast Security** | 8.3/10 | 15 |
| **HCL AppScan** | 8.1/10 | 30 |
| **Checkmarx** | N/A | N/A |

#### Administration

| Feature | Contrast Security | HCL AppScan | Checkmarx | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **API / Integrations** | 8.7 (14 reviews) | 8.1 (26 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Extensibility** | 8.5 (13 reviews) | 8.2 (28 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Analysis

| Feature | Contrast Security | HCL AppScan | Checkmarx | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Reporting and Analytics** | 8.9 (15 reviews) | 8.5 (29 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Issue Tracking** | 8.1 (15 reviews) | 8.0 (27 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Static Code Analysis** | 8.5 (12 reviews) | 8.2 (28 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Vulnerability Scan** | 8.8 (15 reviews) | 8.5 (27 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Code Analysis** | 8.6 (14 reviews) | 8.3 (27 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Testing

| Feature | Contrast Security | HCL AppScan | Checkmarx | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Manual Testing** | 7.9 (12 reviews) | 7.7 (28 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Test Automation** | 8.3 (10 reviews) | 7.9 (24 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Compliance Testing** | 8.1 (13 reviews) | 8.4 (26 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Black-Box Scanning** | 8.1 (12 reviews) | 8.2 (29 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Detection Rate** | 8.2 (15 reviews) | 8.2 (29 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **False Positives** | 7.0 (15 reviews) | 7.1 (29 reviews) | Not enough data | 

### Vulnerability Scanner

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Contrast Security** | N/A | N/A |
| **HCL AppScan** | N/A | N/A |
| **Checkmarx** | N/A | N/A |

#### Performance

| Feature | Contrast Security | HCL AppScan | Checkmarx | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Issue Tracking** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Detection Rate** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **False Positives** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Automated Scans** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Network

| Feature | Contrast Security | HCL AppScan | Checkmarx | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Compliance Testing** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Perimeter Scanning** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Configuration Monitoring** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Application

| Feature | Contrast Security | HCL AppScan | Checkmarx | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Manual Application Testing** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Static Code Analysis** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Black Box Testing** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Agentic AI - Vulnerability Scanner

| Feature | Contrast Security | HCL AppScan | Checkmarx | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Autonomous Task Execution** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Proactive Assistance** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### Software Composition Analysis

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Contrast Security** | 8.7/10 | 16 |
| **HCL AppScan** | N/A | N/A |
| **Checkmarx** | N/A | N/A |

#### Functionality - Software Composition Analysis 

| Feature | Contrast Security | HCL AppScan | Checkmarx | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Language Support** | 8.1 (16 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Integration** | 8.8 (16 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Transparency** | 9.1 (15 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Effectiveness - Software Composition Analysis

| Feature | Contrast Security | HCL AppScan | Checkmarx | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Remediation Suggestions** | 8.3 (16 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Continuous Monitoring** | 9.0 (16 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Thorough Detection** | 8.9 (16 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### Secure Code Review

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Contrast Security** | N/A | N/A |
| **HCL AppScan** | N/A | N/A |
| **Checkmarx** | N/A | N/A |

#### Documentation

| Feature | Contrast Security | HCL AppScan | Checkmarx | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Feedback** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Prioritization** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Remediation Suggestions** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Security

| Feature | Contrast Security | HCL AppScan | Checkmarx | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **False Positives** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Custom Compliance** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Agility** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### Application Security

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Contrast Security** | N/A | N/A |
| **HCL AppScan** | N/A | N/A |
| **Checkmarx** | N/A | N/A |

#### Generative AI

| Feature | Contrast Security | HCL AppScan | Checkmarx | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **AI Text Summarization** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### Runtime Application Self-Protection (RASP) Tools

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Contrast Security** | N/A | N/A |
| **HCL AppScan** | N/A | N/A |
| **Checkmarx** | N/A | N/A |

#### Threat Detection & Response - Runtime Application Self-Protection (RASP)

| Feature | Contrast Security | HCL AppScan | Checkmarx | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Threat Remediation** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Threat Detection** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Application Behavior Monitoring** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Intelligence and Reporting** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### Static Code Analysis

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Contrast Security** | N/A | N/A |
| **HCL AppScan** | N/A | N/A |
| **Checkmarx** | N/A | N/A |

#### Agentic AI - Static Code Analysis

| Feature | Contrast Security | HCL AppScan | Checkmarx | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Adaptive Learning** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Natural Language Interaction** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Proactive Assistance** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### AI AppSec Assistants

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Contrast Security** | N/A | N/A |
| **HCL AppScan** | N/A | N/A |
| **Checkmarx** | N/A | N/A |

#### Performance - AI AppSec Assistants

| Feature | Contrast Security | HCL AppScan | Checkmarx | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Remediation** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Real-time Vulnerability Detection** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Accuracy** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Integration - AI AppSec Assistants

| Feature | Contrast Security | HCL AppScan | Checkmarx | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Stack Integration** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Workflow Integration** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Codebase Contextual Awareness** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### Interactive Application Security Testing (IAST)

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Contrast Security** | N/A | N/A |
| **HCL AppScan** | N/A | N/A |
| **Checkmarx** | N/A | N/A |

#### Agentic AI - Interactive Application Security Testing (IAST)

| Feature | Contrast Security | HCL AppScan | Checkmarx | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Autonomous Task Execution** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

---
## Categories
**Shared Categories (3):** [Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/dynamic-application-security-testing-dast), [Static Application Security Testing (SAST) Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/static-application-security-testing-sast), [Interactive Application Security Testing (IAST) Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/interactive-application-security-testing-iast)

**Unique to Contrast Security (3):** [Software Composition Analysis Tools](https://www.g2.com/categories/software-composition-analysis), [Runtime Application Self-Protection (RASP) Tools ](https://www.g2.com/categories/runtime-application-self-protection-rasp-tools), [Vulnerability Scanner Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/vulnerability-scanner)

**Unique to HCL AppScan (1):** [Software Composition Analysis Tools](https://www.g2.com/categories/software-composition-analysis)

**Unique to Checkmarx (3):** [AI AppSec Assistants](https://www.g2.com/categories/ai-appsec-assistants), [Secure Code Review Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/secure-code-review), [Static Code Analysis Tools](https://www.g2.com/categories/static-code-analysis)


---
## Reviewer Demographics

### By Company Size

| Segment | Contrast Security | HCL AppScan | Checkmarx | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Small-Business** | 12.2% | 27.4% | 18.8% | 
| **Mid-Market** | 20.4% | 19.2% | 28.1% | 
| **Enterprise** | 67.3% | 53.4% | 53.1% | 

### By Industry

#### Contrast Security

- **Insurance:** 14.3%
- **Information Technology and Services:** 10.2%
- **Telecommunications:** 8.2%
- **Financial Services:** 8.2%
- **Computer Software:** 8.2%
- **Publishing:** 6.1%
- **Hospital & Health Care:** 6.1%
- **Computer & Network Security:** 6.1%
- **Automotive:** 4.1%
- **Medical Devices:** 4.1%
- **Other:** 24.5%

#### HCL AppScan

- **Information Technology and Services:** 24.3%
- **Computer & Network Security:** 13.5%
- **Computer Software:** 9.5%
- **Automotive:** 8.1%
- **Telecommunications:** 5.4%
- **Banking:** 5.4%
- **Accounting:** 2.7%
- **Financial Services:** 2.7%
- **Government Administration:** 2.7%
- **Insurance:** 2.7%
- **Other:** 23.0%

#### Checkmarx

- **Computer Software:** 15.6%
- **Information Technology and Services:** 15.6%
- **Banking:** 9.4%
- **Computer & Network Security:** 9.4%
- **Automotive:** 6.3%
- **Investment Banking:** 3.1%
- **Internet:** 3.1%
- **International Trade and Development:** 3.1%
- **Insurance:** 3.1%
- **Legal Services:** 3.1%
- **Other:** 28.1%

---
## Alternatives

### Alternatives to Contrast Security

- [SonarQube](https://www.g2.com/products/sonarqube/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (141 reviews)
- [Wiz](https://www.g2.com/products/wiz-wiz/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (792 reviews)
- [Dynatrace](https://www.g2.com/products/dynatrace/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (1363 reviews)
- [GitLab](https://www.g2.com/products/gitlab/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (891 reviews)
- [GitHub](https://www.g2.com/products/github/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (2348 reviews)
- [Red Hat Ansible Automation Platform](https://www.g2.com/products/red-hat-ansible-automation-platform/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (377 reviews)
- [Microsoft Defender for Cloud](https://www.g2.com/products/microsoft-defender-for-cloud/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (309 reviews)
- [Tenable Nessus](https://www.g2.com/products/tenable-nessus/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (301 reviews)
- [Gearset DevOps](https://www.g2.com/products/gearset-devops/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (292 reviews)
- [Harness Platform](https://www.g2.com/products/harness-platform/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (281 reviews)

### Alternatives to HCL AppScan

- [Invicti (formerly Netsparker)](https://www.g2.com/products/invicti-formerly-netsparker/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (69 reviews)
- [Veracode Application Security Platform](https://www.g2.com/products/veracode-application-security-platform/reviews) — 3.8/5 stars (25 reviews)
- [SonarQube](https://www.g2.com/products/sonarqube/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (141 reviews)
- [GitLab](https://www.g2.com/products/gitlab/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (891 reviews)
- [OpenText Core Application Security](https://www.g2.com/products/opentext-core-application-security/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (34 reviews)
- [Tenable Nessus](https://www.g2.com/products/tenable-nessus/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (301 reviews)
- [GitHub](https://www.g2.com/products/github/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (2348 reviews)
- [Burp Suite](https://www.g2.com/products/burp-suite/reviews) — 4.8/5 stars (129 reviews)
- [Acunetix by Invicti](https://www.g2.com/products/acunetix-by-invicti/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (105 reviews)
- [Mend.io](https://www.g2.com/products/mend-io/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (112 reviews)

### Alternatives to Checkmarx

- [Veracode Application Security Platform](https://www.g2.com/products/veracode-application-security-platform/reviews) — 3.8/5 stars (25 reviews)
- [SonarQube](https://www.g2.com/products/sonarqube/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (141 reviews)
- [GitLab](https://www.g2.com/products/gitlab/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (891 reviews)
- [GitHub](https://www.g2.com/products/github/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (2348 reviews)
- [Coverity](https://www.g2.com/products/coverity/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (55 reviews)
- [OpenText Core Application Security](https://www.g2.com/products/opentext-core-application-security/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (34 reviews)
- [Invicti (formerly Netsparker)](https://www.g2.com/products/invicti-formerly-netsparker/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (69 reviews)
- [Snyk](https://www.g2.com/products/snyk/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (132 reviews)
- [Mend.io](https://www.g2.com/products/mend-io/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (112 reviews)
- [Tenable Nessus](https://www.g2.com/products/tenable-nessus/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (301 reviews)

---
## Top Discussions

### Contrast Security

No discussions available for this product.

### HCL AppScan

- Title: [Who owns AppScan?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/who-owns-appscan) — 1 comment *(includes official response)*
  > **Top comment:** "HCL AppScan is owned by HCL Software."
- Title: [Is AppScan free?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-appscan-free) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "APPSCAN CodeSweep is free as a plugin in Visual Studio."

### Checkmarx

- Title: [What is Checkmarx used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-checkmarx-used-for) — 2 comments
  > **Top comment:** "Checkmarx is a static code analysis tool used for SAST (Static application security testing)"
- Title: [What is Checkmarx used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/checkmarx-what-is-checkmarx-used-for) — 1 comment, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "Checkmarx is an ultimate tool for Static code scan and analysis through code vulnerability testing, SCA and secret detections. They have a prebuilt engine to..."
- Title: [Which testing method does Checkmarx support?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/which-testing-method-does-checkmarx-support) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "Checkmarx does support all these testing methodologies -Sast, Dast, IAST, SCA "
- Title: [Does Checkmarx support DAST?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/does-checkmarx-support-dast) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "You cannot test DAST Testing using Checkmarx"

---
**Source:** [G2.com](https://www.g2.com) | [Comparison Page](https://www.g2.com/compare/contrast-security-contrast-security-vs-hcl-appscan-vs-checkmarx)