Vendors all promise code-to-cloud coverage, but two architectures exist: modular expansion of legacy static analysis tools versus unified platforms built for cloud-native development.
In this article, we compare Checkmarx (modular, legacy) and Aikido Security (unified, end-to-end) to determine which model better serves development teams, security teams, and the business.
Understanding the Two Approaches
Before discussing particular platforms, note the essential difference: traditional Static Application Security Testing differs significantly from the current end-to-end application security model.
Static Application Security Testing (SAST) Explained
Static Application Security Testing—SAST—is white-box testing that scans source code, bytecode, or binaries without running the program. It looks for patterns that match known vulnerabilities:
- SQL injection;
- Cross-site scripting;
- Buffer overflows;
- Insecure crypto.
SAST scans source code during coding or build phases, before test or production. It detects vulnerabilities in both active and unreachable code paths and provides line numbers for fixes.
Legacy SAST tools often generate high false positive rates that require manual triage. SAST analyzes source code only, not dependencies, infrastructure, containers, or runtime. It is a critical tool, but it was never designed for full coverage.
What End-to-End Application Security Means
End-to-end AppSec handles security from code all the way to runtime. Code, open-source deps, containers, cloud, APIs, running environments — separate risks, but linked.
It starts with SAST and SCA in dev, moves to IaC and container scans in CI, then CSPM, runtime defense, and dynamic testing in prod. The platform connects results across everything to show what actually matters.
Consolidation is the core. It correlates issues instead of dumping disconnected warnings, cuts duplicates, and adds business context for better prioritization. Remediation lives in the developer’s normal flow — automated fixes and plain instructions take the place of long vulnerability reports.
Platform Overview
Checkmarx and Aikido Security follow separate approaches. Checkmarx delivers a comprehensive enterprise platform built around thorough scanning and centralized governance. Aikido offers a streamlined, all-in-one solution that emphasizes simplicity and speed.
Checkmarx
Checkmarx targets large enterprises. Policy-driven security, deep code analysis, strong governance. Designed for regulated industries and mature security programs. Scales across complex environments without slowing down development.
Checkmarx brings together multiple security capabilities into a single platform:
- SAST (Static Application Security Testing);
- DAST (Dynamic Application Security Testing);
- SCA (Software Composition Analysis);
- IaC Security;
- Container Security;
- Secrets Detection;
- API Security;
- Application Security Posture Management (ASPM).
This breadth supports a “code to cloud” approach, although the platform’s historical strength remains in static code analysis.
ASPM and Risk Prioritization
Checkmarx One includes ASPM, which aggregates findings across tools and prioritizes vulnerabilities by exploitability and real risk impact. The goal is to reduce alert fatigue and help teams focus on what actually matters.
Developer Experience and AI Assistance
Checkmarx integrates security into IDEs and CI/CD pipelines. Developers see vulnerabilities while coding. Checkmarx One Assist provides AI-generated fix suggestions. Context-aware scanning improves relevance. Secure code guidance is included.
Scalability and Enterprise Governance
Checkmarx scales for large organizations. Policies are customizable. Deployment options include SaaS and on-prem. Supports a wide range of tech stacks. Dashboards and reports are centralized.
Aikido Security
Aikido Security provides application security across the development lifecycle, from initial code commit to production infrastructure. Instead of using fragmented security tools, Aikido combines all core security functions into one platform. It automatically identifies, prioritizes, and remediates vulnerabilities before they reach production.
Traditional security tools focus on narrow slices of the attack surface. Aikido eliminates this gap by protecting everything:
- SAST detects injection flaws, buffer overflows, and dangerous patterns in source code—without drowning teams in false positives.
- SCA analyzes dependencies with reachability intelligence, showing which vulnerable components are actually used.
- Secrets detection catches exposed credentials and API keys while intelligently ignoring harmless false matches.
- Malware detection identifies malicious packages and obfuscated code in your supply chain.
- AI Code Quality automatically reviews pull requests for security and quality issues.
Infrastructure and Container Security
Container scanning finds vulnerable OS packages in images and can auto-generate fixes. IaC scanning catches misconfigurations in Terraform, CloudFormation, and Kubernetes before deployment. VM scanning detects outdated runtimes and vulnerable packages.
Cloud and Runtime Security
CSPM scans AWS, Azure, and GCP for misconfigurations and over-permissive roles. Runtime blocks production exploits. DAST + API security simulates attacks. AI runs automated pentests and spits out compliance reports in hours.
Automated Remediation
Aikido generates fixes, not just reports. AI AutoFix creates pull requests that resolve vulnerabilities across code, dependencies, containers, and infrastructure. Bulk fixes address multiple issues in one action. Each alert explains risk and steps to fix—developers don’t need to interpret complex reports.
Developer Workflow Integration
Aikido plugs into existing tools. IDE integrations, CI/CD automation, and native GitHub, GitLab, and Jira connections keep security inside dev workflows. Less friction, faster adoption. Teams scan quickly, get remediation guidance, and ship without disruption.
Unified Platform Structure
Aikido consolidates multiple security categories into one platform. No more juggling separate tools for SAST, SCA, container scanning, CSPM, DAST, secrets, malware, and license compliance. One dashboard, unified reporting, consistent policies. Less vendor complexity, full visibility across code, infrastructure, cloud, containers, and runtime.
Pricing Model
Checkmarx uses traditional enterprise licensing. Aikido offers modern, bundled AppSec pricing and is more accessible for most teams.
Aikido Security
Aikido’s Pro plan starts at €6,480/year for 10 users.
- Clear annual cost;
- All security modules included;
- Premium support included;
- No per-product licensing.
SAST, SCA, container, cloud, runtime, and secrets detection are included in one subscription. Procurement is simpler. Costs are transparent. Scaling is predictable, without renegotiations or additional modules.
For startups and DevOps teams: faster onboarding, lower friction, fewer surprises.
Checkmarx
Traditional enterprise model:
- “Talk to sales” pricing;
- Starting at $40K;
- Per-product pricing;
- Support as an add-on.
Higher upfront cost. Adding capabilities (like container security) increases spend significantly. Works for large enterprises with AppSec budgets. But complexity is higher. Cost transparency is lower. Scaling often means renegotiation and more licensing spend.
Conclusion
Both offer SAST, SCA, containers, cloud, ASPM, AI remediation. Checkmarx uses add-on modules layered over outdated SAST — drives up cost and hassle.
Aikido integrates everything from scratch in one platform with straightforward pricing, automatic fixes, and zero context switches. Aikido outperforms for most use cases; Checkmarx is limited to enterprises with dedicated resources.