Side by side
Cppcheck vs gosec
Both stand on static analysis tools. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan Open source LinuxMacSelf-hosted+1
Cppcheck offers core C and C++ analysis for free, with paid licensing adding standards checks and compliance reporting. Check license limits carefully if you need CI, containers, virtual machines, or air-gapped use.
Visit Cppcheck Free plan Open source APILinuxMac+1
gosec offers configurable static security analysis for Go, with several output formats and CI integration options. Teams should review findings because automated detection can flag safe code.
Visit gosecThe facts
| Cppcheck | gosec | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Yes | Yes |
| Runs on | Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Windows | API, Linux, Mac, Self-hosted |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 8 | 1 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | cppcheck.com | github.com |
| On static analysis tools | #1 of 37 | #2 of 37 |
Cppcheck: what it does well
- Free plan includes core static analysis
- Analyzes non-standard syntax found in embedded projects
- Integrates with several listed IDEs
- Three-week trial requires no credit card
What to know first
- C++20 support is partial
- Individual license excludes CI environments, virtual machines, and containers
- Project plan requires at least five users
- Premium plan prices require a tailored quotation
gosec: what it does well
- Checks map findings to CWE entries
- Supports rule selection and path-based exclusions
- Reports include SARIF, JSON, and JUnit XML
- Documented GitHub Actions and GitHub code scanning use
- Apache License 2.0
What to know first
- Local installation requires Go 1.25 or newer
- Automated detection can produce false positives
- AI fix suggestions call an AI API
Alternatives to Cppcheck Alternatives to gosec The whole list