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Draft Canvas vs Semgrep
Short answer: Pick Draft Canvas if you want local-first architecture sketching; pick Semgrep if you want AI-augmented static analysis across code and supply chain. Draft Canvas is free; Semgrep has a free plan.
Draft CanvasA local-first canvas for turning software architecture into a clear visual story.
SemgrepStatic analysis for finding bugs and security issues in codeWhich to pick
Pick Draft Canvas if you want…
- Local-first architecture sketching
- A free, open-source tool
- Integrations with Next.js, TypeScript or Go (on Draft Canvas' list, not Semgrep's)
Pick Semgrep if you want…
- AI-augmented static analysis across code and supply chain
- Static analysis for bugs and security
- Integrations with CLI, CI/CD or VS Code (on Semgrep's list, not Draft Canvas')
Side by side
- What it is
- Draft Canvas:Draft Canvas is a local-first, open-source visual canvas for mapping software architecture.
- Semgrep:Semgrep is an extensible AppSec platform that combines AI-assisted SAST, SCA, secrets and malware detection to surface actionable security issues.
- Best for
- Draft Canvas:Local-first architecture sketching
- Semgrep:AI-augmented static analysis across code and supply chain
- Who it’s for
- Draft Canvas:Developers and teams who need to create and share architecture diagrams offline.
- Semgrep:Developers, AppSec teams and security leaders who need integrated static analysis.
- Pricing
- Draft Canvas:Free
- Semgrep:Freemium
- Starting price
- Draft Canvas:Free
- Semgrep:—
- Free plan or trial
- Draft Canvas:Free to use
- Semgrep:Free trial
- Open source
- Draft Canvas:Yes, 5 GitHub stars
- Semgrep:Yes, 16,826 GitHub stars
- Works with
- Draft Canvas:Next.js, TypeScript, Go, Mermaid, C4-PlantUML, draw.io, Claude, Codex
- Semgrep:CLI, CI/CD, VS Code, GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, Azure, Jira
Draft Canvas features
- Offline desktop app. Runs on macOS and Windows without an account and stores diagrams locally.
- AI agent integration. Connect Claude, Codex, Cursor, Gemini CLI, Junie to generate diagrams from code.
- Pattern library. Insert common architectures (CQRS, Saga, Event-Driven) with a quick shortcut.
- Step-by-step flow presentation. Walk the room through request flows, showing notes and code per step.
- Export options. Export as image, Mermaid, C4-PlantUML, Structurizr, draw.io or share a link.
- Deep dive view. Press ⌘↓ to zoom into a shape for C4-depth details without leaving the canvas.
Semgrep features
- AI-assisted SAST, SCA & Secrets. Detect vulnerabilities, vulnerable dependencies and hard-coded secrets with rule-based analysis enhanced by AI.
- Multimodal Detection. Combine deterministic static analysis with AI reasoning to find complex issues like IDORs and logic flaws.
- Noise Filtering & Triage. AI learns code context to suppress false positives and prioritize real risks, reducing backlog.
- Automated Remediation. Generate fix suggestions and upgrade guidance directly in PRs and IDEs.
- Malware Firewall. Runs on developer machines to block malicious open-source packages before they reach the environment.
- Incident Response Automation. Enterprise policies trigger Slack/Jira workflows and API alerts for rapid malware incident handling.
- Wide Integration Support. CLI, CI/CD, VS Code, JetBrains, GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, Azure, Jira, APIs/webhooks and AI tool integrations.
Draft Canvas vs Semgrep FAQ
What is the difference between Draft Canvas and Semgrep?+
Semgrep performs static code analysis, while Draft Canvas focuses on visual architecture diagrams.
Should I use Draft Canvas or Semgrep?+
Pick Draft Canvas if you want local-first architecture sketching, a free, open-source tool or integrations with Next.js, TypeScript or Go (on Draft Canvas' list, not Semgrep's). Pick Semgrep if you want AI-augmented static analysis across code and supply chain, static analysis for bugs and security or integrations with CLI, CI/CD or VS Code (on Semgrep's list, not Draft Canvas').
Is Draft Canvas or Semgrep free?+
Draft Canvas is free. Semgrep has a free plan and paid plans.
Is Draft Canvas or Semgrep open source?+
Yes, both are open source: Draft Canvas (acltabontabon/draft-canvas on GitHub, Apache-2.0 license) and Semgrep (semgrep/semgrep on GitHub, LGPL-2.1 license).
Do Draft Canvas and Semgrep integrate with the same tools?+
Partly. Both list Cursor. Draft Canvas also lists Next.js, TypeScript, Go, Mermaid and 6 more; Semgrep also lists CLI, CI/CD, VS Code, GitHub and 9 more.
On DevHunt
Based on each tool's website and DevHunt data. Details may change; check the official sites.