Black Duck SCA vs Checkmarx Software Composition Analysis comparison

Black Duck and Checkmarx are both solutions in the Software Composition Analysis (SCA) category. Black Duck is ranked #1 with an average rating of 7.0, while Checkmarx is ranked #10 with an average rating of 8.0. Black Duck holds a 9.9% mindshare in SCA, compared to Checkmarx’s 3.0% mindshare. Additionally, 85% of Black Duck users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 100% of Checkmarx users who would recommend it.

Black Duck SCA

Read 23 Black Duck SCA reviews

9,816 Views
8,736 Comparison Views

85% willing to recommend

Checkmarx Software Composit...

Read 13 Checkmarx Software Composition Analysis reviews

2,153 Views
2,045 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

Black Duck SCA

Checkmarx Software Composit...

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Mar 22, 2026

Black Duck SCA and Checkmarx Software Composition Analysis compete in software composition analysis. Checkmarx Software Composition Analysis shows an advantage in feature set and ROI, partly due to its advanced security focus.

Features: Black Duck SCA offers a comprehensive component database, seamless integration for open-source risk management, and a robust knowledge base for license management. Checkmarx Software Composition Analysis excels with advanced vulnerability detection, integration into development workflows, and enhanced security scanning capabilities.

Room for Improvement: Black Duck SCA could benefit from improved vulnerability identification accuracy, a more complete SBOM generation, and enhanced real-time security risk insight. Checkmarx Software Composition Analysis may improve by reducing false positives, providing more detailed remediation guidance, and enhancing its user interface for developer ease.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Black Duck SCA provides versatile deployment options and responsive customer service, catering to various enterprise needs. Checkmarx Software Composition Analysis offers robust cloud-based deployment with strong professional support, highlighted by a smooth setup and service structure seen as favorable by tech buyers.

Pricing and ROI: Black Duck SCA includes a moderate initial cost with considerable ROI focused on open-source management. Checkmarx Software Composition Analysis, though with a higher initial cost, promises superior long-term ROI through its focus on comprehensive security enhancements.

To learn more, read our detailed Black Duck SCA vs. Checkmarx Software Composition Analysis Report (Updated: April 2026).

Buyer's Guide

Black Duck SCA vs. Checkmarx Software Composition Analysis

April 2026

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Helped 893,244 peers since 2012

Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Categories and Ranking

Black Duck SCA

Ranking in Software Composition Analysis (SCA)

1st

Average Rating

7.6

Reviews Sentiment

6.2

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Checkmarx Software Composit...

Ranking in Software Composition Analysis (SCA)

10th

Average Rating

9.0

Reviews Sentiment

7.6

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of May 2026, in the Software Composition Analysis (SCA) category, the mindshare of Black Duck SCA is 9.9%, down from 18.8% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Checkmarx Software Composition Analysis is 3.0%, up from 2.5% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Software Composition Analysis (SCA) Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
Black Duck SCA	9.9%
Checkmarx Software Composition Analysis	3.0%
Other	87.1%

Software Composition Analysis (SCA)

Featured Reviews

reviewer2587080

IP Head at a tech services company with 10,001+ employees

Delivers robust accuracy for identifying and mitigating risks but setup and security can improve

My deployment of Black Duck will take a few hours minimum. In the earlier on-premise scenario, which I've seen in other organizations, it takes a few days because you have to get the server installed, then actually keep installing various patch upgrades as it happens. The cloud version is a lot faster, probably taking only a few hours to complete. Regarding Black Duck leveraging AI to enhance security scanning of open-source components, I would not be able to address that because I have not yet explored that area significantly. Based on my experience, I would recommend Black Duck to other people if they can digest the higher cost. It helps in many aspects. I would rate this solution overall at 7 to 8. Disclaimer: The review is provided in personal capacity as an individual and not the opinion of the organization or corporate to which I belong to.

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Tharindu Malwenna

Senior Application Security Engineer at a newspaper with 5,001-10,000 employees

Efficient library identification and upgrade suggestions improve application security

We have many third-party libraries in our organization. I used Checkmarx Software Composition Analysis to identify all the libraries we use and determine whether they are used or unused within the application Checkmarx Software Composition Analysis provides identification of libraries and…

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Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"The most valuable feature is the vulnerability scanning, and that it's easy to use."

"Black Duck is pretty extensive in terms of the scan reserves and the vulnerability exposures. From that perspective, I'm happy with it."

"Policy management is a valuable feature."

"The software composition analysis is most effective for security risk management."

"I like the fact that the product auto analyzes components."

"The stability is okay."

"The solution works well on Mac products."

"Black Duck has been the key player in the market for many years."

More Black Duck SCA pros

"The most valuable feature of Checkmarx Software Composition Analysis is the comprehensive security scan."

"Checkmarx Software Composition Analysis is one of the most important products in the IT security market."

"The software is very stable and works very well."

"Checkmarx unifies all the features in its service."

"What's most valuable in Checkmarx Software Composition Analysis is its ability to identify vulnerabilities in open-source components, especially if some critical issues exist."

"One of the strong points of this solution is that it allows you to incorporate it into a CICB pipeline, and it has the ability to do incremental scans, so if you scan a very large application it might take two hours to do the initial scan, but the subsequent scans, as people are making changes to the app, scan the Delta and are very fast."

"The integration part is easy...It's a stable solution right now."

"The tool's visual scan analysis shows me all the libraries' vulnerabilities and license types. It helps identify the most complex issues with licenses. It provides good visibility. SCA shows me all libraries that are vulnerable and the extent of their vulnerability."

More Checkmarx Software Composition Analysis pros

Cons

"It's still a bit inconsistent. For example, if I scan today, it might not show the same results tomorrow."

"It is a cloud-only solution. In many cases, companies like to evaluate the software, but they're very reluctant to give you the software. It would be great if they could offer an on-prem component that could be used to scan the code and then upload the discovery results to the cloud and get all the information from there, but there is no such possibility. You have to upload the code to the Black Duck cloud system. Of course, they have a strong legal department, and they offer some configuration, but it is never enough. You have to give the code, which is a drawback. In modern designs like Snyk or FOSSA, you don't need to give the code. It requires more native integration with Coverity because they go together technically. You need both Coverity and Black Duck Hub. It would be really helpful for companies working in this space to get a combined offer from the same company. They should provide an option to buy Coverity for an additional fee. Coverity combined with Black Duck Hub will provide a one-step analysis to get everything you need and a unified report. It would be really great to be able to connect Black Duck Hub with Coverity unified reports."

"Due to the fact that, with our software developer life cycle, we don't need to scan our source code every day or every week. For that reason, we find the cost is too high. We might only actually use it five to ten times a year, which makes it expensive."

"The solution must provide more open APIs."

"Black Duck can improve the time it takes for a scan. Most of the time it's not ideal when integrated with the live DevSecOps pipeline. We have to create a separate job to scan the library because it takes a couple of hours to scan all those libraries. The scanning could be faster."

"We have been having some issues with the latest releases where we are not able to scan our applications with the help of Black Duck."

"The product's pricing is higher compared to other competitor products."

"They are giving a lot of APIs and Python scripts for certain functionalities, but instead of using APIs and Python scripts, they should provide these functionalities through the UI."

More Black Duck SCA cons

"Personally, I currently use it as a standalone tool without integrating it with other systems, and it meets my needs adequately. As a suggestion, I request on considering to add a "what if" feature to the application. Currently, when the tool identifies issues and suggests updates, if I want to explore different scenarios, I need to prepare another file, turn it into a ZIP, and run the analysis again. It would be more convenient if there was a "what if" option in the GUI. This feature could simulate a run, allowing me to quickly check the impact of changing one or more files or versions without the need for a full rerun."

"In terms of areas for improvement, what could be improved in Checkmarx Software Composition Analysis is pricing because customers always compare the pricing among secure DevOps solutions in the market. Checkmarx Software Composition Analysis has a lot of competitors yet its features aren't much different. Pricing is the first thing customers consider, and from a partner perspective, if you can offer affordable pricing to your customers, it's more likely you'll have a winning deal. The performance of Checkmarx Software Composition Analysis also needs improvement because sometimes, it's slow, and in particular, scanning could take several hours."

"It can have better licensing models."

"Its pricing can be improved. It is a little bit high priced. It would be better if it was a little less expensive. It is a good tool, and we're still figuring out how to fully leverage it. There are some questions regarding whether it can scan the MuleSoft code. We don't know if this is a gap in the tool or something else. This is one thing that we're just working through right now, and I am not ready to conclude that there is a weakness there. MuleSoft is kind of its own beast, and we're trying to see how we get it to work with Checkmarx."

"I have received complaints from my customers that the pricing could be improved."

"Instant updates for end users to identify vulnerabilities as soon as possible will make Checkmarx Software Composition Analysis better. The UI of the solution could also be improved."

"I would rate the scalability a seven out of ten."

"Some of the recommendations provided by the product are generic. Even if the recommendations provided by the product are of low level, the appropriate ones can help users deal with vulnerabilities."

More Checkmarx Software Composition Analysis cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"I rate the product's price one on a scale of one to ten, where one is a high price, and ten is a low price."

"It is expensive."

"The price is low. It's not an expensive solution."

"Depending on the use case, the cost could range from $10,000 USD to $70,000 USD."

"The pricing is a little high."

"The price is quite high because the behavior of the software during the scan is similar to competing products."

"Black Duck is more suitable if you require a lot of licensing compliance. For smaller organizations, WhiteSource is better because its pricing policies are not really suitable for huge organizations."

"The price charged by Black Duck is exorbitant."

"Pricing for Checkmarx Software Composition Analysis needs to be competitive."

"My customers need to pay for the licensing part, and they need to opt for an annual subscription."

"We don't have a license. The usage is limited to one, two, three, five, or ten people. It is currently used for all projects, and there are plans to increase its usage."

"The license model is somewhat perplexing as it comprises multiple aspects that can be confusing for customers. The model is determined by the number of registered users and the number of projects being scanned, along with a third component that adds to the complexity."

"It is a little bit high priced. It would be better if it was a little less expensive."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Manufacturing Company

16%

Financial Services Firm

16%

Computer Software Company

12%

Healthcare Company

Financial Services Firm

23%

Manufacturing Company

Insurance Company

Construction Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	6
Large Enterprise	17

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	7
Large Enterprise	8

Questions from the Community

How does WhiteSource compare with Black Duck?

We researched Black Duck but ultimately chose WhiteSource when looking for an application security tool. WhiteSource is a software solution that enables agile open source security and license compl...

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What do you like most about Black Duck?

The cloud option of the product is always available and a positive aspect of the solution.

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Black Duck?

The price charged by Black Duck is exorbitant. For the features provided by the product, I would not want to pay a high price. There are many other products in the market that offer better features...

See all answers

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Checkmarx Software Composition Analysis?

Pricing is complex and high for small organizations but offers great benefits for larger organizations. It is notably different compared to competitors like GitHub Advanced Security.

See all answers

What needs improvement with Checkmarx Software Composition Analysis?

The solution could improve by determining the success factor of an upgrade, which is currently lacking.

See all answers

What is your primary use case for Checkmarx Software Composition Analysis?

See all answers

Comparisons

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Compared 7% of the time

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Compared 7% of the time

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Compared 7% of the time

Snyk vs Black Duck SCA

Compared 7% of the time

Endor Labs vs Black Duck SCA

Compared 5% of the time

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Veracode vs Checkmarx Software Composition Analysis

Compared 13% of the time

JFrog Xray vs Checkmarx Software Composition Analysis

Compared 11% of the time

Snyk vs Checkmarx Software Composition Analysis

Compared 8% of the time

CAST SBOM Manager vs Checkmarx Software Composition Analysis

Compared 7% of the time

Semgrep vs Checkmarx Software Composition Analysis

Compared 6% of the time

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Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Black Duck SCA

May 2026

Download Black Duck SCA product report

Buyer's Guide

Checkmarx Software Composition Analysis

May 2026

Checkmarx Software Composition Analysis report

Download Checkmarx Software Composition Analysis product report

Also Known As

Blackduck Hub, Black Duck Protex, Black Duck Security Checker

CxSCA

Overview

Black Duck is an essential tool for software composition analysis and license compliance. It identifies vulnerabilities effectively and supports security management in DevOps environments, offering integration, performance stability, and community support.

Organizations rely on Black Duck for seamless integration in CI/CD pipelines, thorough scanning of source and binary codes, and management of operational risks associated with open-source and commercial licenses. It plays a crucial role in security risk management and delivers a robust policy management framework. Users value its ease of use and reliable community support while benefiting from its comprehensive dependency visualization capabilities. Despite its strengths, there is room for enhancement in integration with other tools, UI friendliness, and reporting features.

What are Black Duck's key features?

Automated Component Analysis: Offers detailed insights into open-source components.
Vulnerability Scanning: Identifies and addresses potential security issues.
Knowledge Base: Extensive database for informed decision-making.
Policy Management: Comprehensive control over security policies.
Integration: Seamlessly fits into existing DevOps workflows.

What should users look for in ROI?

Security Assurance: Mitigates risks associated with open-source software.
Efficiency: Reduces time spent on manual auditing tasks.
License Compliance: Ensures compliance with open-source licenses.
Risk Management: Enhances operational risk management in software development.

Enterprise environments use Black Duck extensively for security, compliance, and risk management, ensuring software meets regulatory standards and mitigates vulnerabilities. Its implementation in specific industries aids in controlled and secure software development processes, underlining its role in maintaining rigorous security standards while delivering dependable performance.

Black Duck

Checkmarx Software Composition Analysis offers robust features for identifying vulnerabilities in open source components. It integrates seamlessly into development processes, ensuring security from the start with its user-friendly interface and AI-enhanced suggestions. Ideal for .NET and Java applications.

Checkmarx Software Composition Analysis is an essential tool for developers looking to manage and secure open-source components. Known for its ease of integration and user-friendly design, it excels in providing comprehensive security by detecting vulnerabilities and offering actionable solutions. Developers gain from its configurability and visibility into library vulnerabilities. It further supports development with version upgrade suggestions and detailed insights, ensuring secure open-source component integration. Enhancing its effectiveness, AI-powered suggestions minimize false positives and improve scalability. While optimization of speed, performance, and pricing are anticipated, its strong integration capabilities within CI/CD pipelines make it a preferred choice for secure software development.

What are the key features of Checkmarx Software Composition Analysis?

User-Friendly Interface: Simplifies navigation and enhances usability for developers.
Incremental Scan Capability: Allows efficient continuous security assessments.
Vulnerability Detection: Provides detailed insights and solutions for identified issues.
AI-powered Suggestions: Minimizes false positives and enhances efficiency.
License Management: Assists in handling and managing license issues effectively.

What benefits can users expect from Checkmarx Software Composition Analysis?

Enhanced Security: Maintains robust protection against vulnerabilities in open source components.
Compliance Assurance: Ensures adherence to industry standards and regulations.
Visibility and Insight: Offers detailed insights into potential risks within libraries.
Scalability: Supports large-scale integration without compromising on performance.

In industries like banking and insurance, Checkmarx Software Composition Analysis proves instrumental. Utilizing static code analysis, it assists these sectors by identifying security weaknesses in software. Its integration capability with CI/CD pipelines ensures that applications adhere to strict industry compliance and security standards.

Checkmarx

Sample Customers

Samsung, Siemens, ScienceLogic, BryterCX, Dynatrace

AXA, Liveperson, Aaron's, Playtech, Morningstar

Buyer's Guide

Black Duck SCA vs. Checkmarx Software Composition Analysis

April 2026

Free Report: Black Duck SCA vs. Checkmarx Software Composition Analysis

Find out what your peers are saying about Black Duck SCA vs. Checkmarx Software Composition Analysis and other solutions. Updated: April 2026.

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