MCP Comparison · 2026
Semgrep vs Socket MCP Server
Comparing Semgrep and Socket as MCP servers? Semgrep (run semgrep scans) is best when pre-commit sast. Socket (score dependency risk) is best when vetting ai-suggested dependencies before install. Both run as Model Context Protocol servers and can coexist in the same client. Updated 2026.
Side-by-side specs
Pulled from each MCP's verified fact sheet.
| Semgrep | Socket | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary function | Run Semgrep scans | Score dependency risk |
| Maintainer | Semgrep | Socket |
| Pricing | Open source | Freemium |
| Setup complexity | Low · ~5 min | Low · ~3 min |
| Transport | stdio | stdio, Streamable HTTP |
| Auth model | None | OAuth 2.1 |
| License | LGPL-2.1 | MIT |
| Language | Python | TypeScript |
| Latest version | latest | latest |
| Compatible clients | Claude, Cursor, VS Code, Windsurf, Any MCP-compatible client, Semgrep 1.30+ | Claude, Cursor, VS Code, Windsurf, Any MCP-compatible client |
| Last verified | 2026-05-27 | 2026-07-16 |
Which one should you pick?
Decision rubric drawn from each MCP's documented strengths.
Choose Semgrep
- Pre-commit SAST
- Custom rule enforcement
- Reviewing third-party PRs
Choose Socket
- Vetting AI-suggested dependencies before install
- Auditing a package.json or requirements.txt
- Catching typosquats and malware
Pick something else if…
- Dependency-vulnerability scanning
- SAST on first-party code (use Semgrep)
Feature breakdown
Key capabilities each server ships out of the box.
Semgrep
- Open-source rule registry
- Custom YAML rules
- Per-language rule selection
- Diff-mode (scan only changed lines)
- JSON output for agent ingestion
Socket
- depscore: 5 risk dimensions per package
- 9 ecosystems (npm, PyPI, Go, Maven, Cargo, Gem, NuGet, Composer, Actions)
- Hosted server at mcp.socket.dev with OAuth
- Self-host via npx with SOCKET_API_TOKEN
- Official Socket, MIT
Install snippets
Open the detail page for ready-to-paste config for every major client.
FAQ
Semgrep vs Socket: which MCP server should I use?
Pick Semgrep when pre-commit sast. Pick Socket when vetting ai-suggested dependencies before install. Semgrep is built for run semgrep scans, while Socket focuses on score dependency risk.
Can I run both Semgrep and Socket together?
Yes. MCP clients run each server as a separate process and surface every server's tools simultaneously, so you can install both and let your agent decide which to call. Be deliberate with auth scopes when stacking servers.
How fresh is this comparison?
Updated for 2026. Semgrep's last verification: 2026-05-27. Socket's last verification: 2026-07-16. We refresh detail-page facts on every catalog rebuild.
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