Head-to-head · SAST Tools
GitHub CodeQL vs OpenText Fortify SAST
GitHub CodeQL leads on 0 checks, OpenText Fortify SAST on 0, and 6 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 6 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreGitHub CodeQL · 9.0/10
- Free planonly GitHub CodeQL
GitHub CodeQL scores higher on our rubric for sast tools: 9.0 against 8.8 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #4.
GitHub CodeQL is the better fit for gitHub-centric development teams. OpenText Fortify SAST is the better fit for large enterprises needing broad analysis.
- GitHub CodeQL fits best
GitHub-centric development teams
- OpenText Fortify SAST fits best
Large enterprises needing broad analysis
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Side by side
| Feature | GitHub CodeQL 9.0/10 Visit ↗ | OpenText Fortify SAST 8.8/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 9.0 | 8.8 |
| Ranking | #3 in SAST Tools | #4 in SAST Tools |
| Best for | GitHub-centric development teams | Large enterprises needing broad analysis |
| Pricing model | Free plan + paid | Paid |
| Starting price | $30/user/mo | Pricing on request |
| Free plan | ✓ (best) | Not checked yet |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Cloud, Desktop | Cloud, Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Web, Windows, macOS, Linux | Web, Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Support | Docs | Phone, Docs |
| Integrations | 4 integrations | 12 integrations |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise | Mid-market, Enterprise |
| Features GitHub CodeQL 5/5 · OpenText Fortify SAST 5/5 | ||
| Pull request scans | ✓ | ✓ |
| IDE support | ✓ | ✓ |
| CI/CD integration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Custom security rules | ✓ | ✓ |
| Automated fixes | ✓ | ✓ |
| Specs | ||
| Analysis targets | source code | source code, bytecode, binaries |
| Languages supported | 11 | Not checked yet |
| Our review | ||
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| Our verdict | GitHub CodeQL is a semantic static-analysis engine for finding security vulnerabilities, coding errors, and other issues in source code. It represents code as data and queries that representation, giving development and security teams a… Read the review → |
OpenText Fortify SAST is a static application security testing platform for development and security teams. It analyzes source code, bytecode, and binaries across web, mobile, desktop, cloud-native, API, container, and… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
GitHub CodeQL — where it wins
- Semantic queries detect vulnerabilities and coding errors.
- Pull-request, GitHub Actions, and external CI scanning.
- Custom queries and SARIF support for tailored analysis.
Where it doesn't
- Private-repository scanning requires paid GitHub Code Security.
- Paid pricing is based on unique active committers.
- The feature set is centered on source-code analysis.
OpenText Fortify SAST — where it wins
- Analyzes source code, bytecode, and binaries across 44+ languages and 350+ frameworks
- Connects pull requests, IDEs, CI/CD pipelines, and issue tracking
- Adds IaC scanning, custom rules, dashboards, and AI remediation suggestions
Where it doesn't
- Pricing requires contacting sales
- The breadth may exceed the needs of smaller or narrowly focused teams
- Deployment and governance options can require a structured security program
- GitHub CodeQL9.0/10 · Free plan
Deep SAST for GitHub workflows, with free public-repository scanning.
Visit GitHub CodeQLFull verdict → - OpenText Fortify SAST8.8/10 · Pricing on request
Broad SAST coverage for enterprises, with sales-led pricing and extensive workflow integrations.
Visit OpenTextFull verdict →
More comparisons
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- GitHub CodeQL vs Klocwork
- GitHub CodeQL vs DerScanner
- OpenText Fortify SAST vs Veracode Static Analysis
All SAST tools comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update





