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CAST Highlight is a portfolio-analysis product for organizations assessing technical debt, cloud readiness and AI readiness across applications. Developers comparing it with code-level security tools should first decide whether they need portfolio intelligence or checks that fit into development and security workflows. The alternatives below cover code scanning, application security testing and secret detection. Their starting prices and free plans differ; confirm API access, deployment options, usage limits and data export with each vendor before moving application inventory or workflows.
01Why people leave CAST Highlight
Pricing needs a usage-level check
CAST Highlight starts at $566.67. Before expanding, ask how costs change with portfolio size, users and repeated assessments.
Integration details need confirming
Check which integrations and API access support your workflow, and confirm deployment requirements before making the product a platform dependency.
Portfolio analysis may not be enough
Teams seeking code-level checks, proof-based DAST or secret detection may prefer tools aimed directly at those workflows.
02The alternatives, ranked by fit
- Custom code scanning
SemgrepSemgrepSemgrep is a closer fit when developers need customizable SAST rules rather than portfolio-level assessment. The listed starting price is $15, with a free plan; check what usage and features that covers. Its focus on code scanning, including AI-generated code, may reduce workflow mismatch. Confirm API access, deployment options, export and how existing CAST findings map to Semgrep rules.
Trade-off: You give up CAST Highlight’s portfolio focus; validate coverage and API fit.
7.5/10from
$15/mofree plan - Broad AppSec scanning
SnykSnykSnyk suits teams consolidating AppSec scanning or adopting AI coding assistants. The listed price starts at $25 and includes a free plan. Its broader AppSec coverage may fit developer security workflows better than portfolio analysis alone, but alert triage and Enterprise credit costs need planning. Ask for API and export details, and map CAST assessment data before switching.
Trade-off: Budget for alert triage and Enterprise credit costs.
6.7/10from
$25/mofree plan - Enterprise risk management
VeracodeVeracodeVeracode targets enterprises centralizing application risk, remediation policy and software supply-chain security. That makes it worth evaluating when CAST Highlight’s portfolio view needs to sit alongside security policy and remediation workflows. Pricing starts at n/a in the available listing. Get API access, deployment, pricing and export terms in writing, then estimate the work to move existing application records.
Trade-off: Pricing and deployment require direct vendor confirmation.
5.2/10from
Custom - Proof-based DAST
InvictiInvictiInvicti is aimed at organizations prioritizing proof-based DAST and teams consolidating code and runtime findings. Its listed enterprise option for on-prem deployment may matter where a hosted service is not suitable. Pricing starts at n/a. This is a different emphasis from portfolio intelligence, so confirm API fit, integrations, export and whether its findings cover your assessment needs.
Trade-off: It focuses on AppSec findings, not portfolio intelligence.
6.3/10from
Custom - Verified secret detection
TruffleHogTruffleHogTruffleHog fits teams scanning beyond source code and verifying live credentials, with remediation tracking for security teams. It has a free plan, but a starting paid price is not listed. Consider it when credential exposure is a specific gap in your current workflow, not as a like-for-like portfolio replacement. Ask about deployment, API access, usage limits and exporting findings.
Trade-off: It addresses secret detection, not broad application portfolio assessment.
7.4/10from
Freefree plan - Credential security
GitGuardianGitGuardianGitGuardian is designed for centralized secret detection, leak remediation and machine-identity inventory. Its free tier gives teams an entry point, while paid pricing is sales-led. It can replace a portfolio tool only for teams whose priority is credential security. Before migration, confirm API access, deployment, limits and data export, and decide where broader application-risk analysis will live.
Trade-off: Sales-led paid pricing; it is not a general portfolio tool.
6.8/10from
Freefree plan
03Side by side
| Tool | Score | From | Free plan | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 CAST Highlight CAST Highlight (current) | 5.2 | $566.67/mo | No | Leaders governing large application portfolios |
| Semgrep Semgrep | 7.5 | $15/mo | Yes | Teams that write custom security rules |
| Snyk Snyk | 6.7 | $25/mo | Yes | Teams consolidating AppSec scans |
| Veracode Veracode | 5.2 | Custom | No | Enterprise security and governance teams |
| Invicti Invicti | 6.3 | Custom | No | Teams consolidating AppSec findings |
| TruffleHog TruffleHog | 7.4 | Free | Yes | Teams scanning source and Git history |
| GitGuardian GitGuardian | 6.8 | Free | Yes | Teams monitoring secrets across repositories |
Questions people ask
Where are the headquarters of CAST Software located?
For a current headquarters address, check CAST’s official corporate contact information and confirm whether you need its headquarters or registered office. Those can differ. Verify the address directly before using it in procurement, legal records or a vendor profile.
Who are CAST AI’s main competitors?
For CAST Highlight, relevant alternatives depend on the job: Semgrep and Snyk focus on code and application security, Invicti on proof-based DAST, and TruffleHog and GitGuardian on secret detection. Compare them by workflow, API access, deployment and cost rather than treating them as identical products.
What is CAST technology and how does it work?
CAST Highlight provides portfolio intelligence for organizations assessing technical debt, cloud readiness and AI readiness across applications. The exact assessment workflow and integrations should be confirmed with CAST. If you need code-level scanning, DAST or secret detection, compare tools built for those specific workflows.