Top 10 Application Security Tools: Features & Pricing
Application breaches represent 25% of all security incidents.1 . Based on our extensive research and technical reviewers’ experience, we selected the top 10 application security tools. Within each vendor’s section, we outlined our rationale for our selection.
When choosing an application security tool, security experts and developers often consider the tools’:
- Focus, such as web and mobile application scanning, pentesting, and code quality inspection
- Deployment options such as on-prem, hybrid, cloud
- Integration with SIEM and ticketing tools.
- Inclusion of application testing methods, such as DAST, IAST, and SAST.
See leading application security tools and identify the best ones for your use case:
Comparison of top application security tools
*Reviews are based on Capterra and G2. Sponsors with links are listed at the top. Then, the remaining products are sorted based on their number of B2B reviews.
**Employee numbers are from LinkedIn
***NowSecure only provides mobile application security
****Based on the technical reviewer’s experience. Within each vendor’s section, we outlined our rationale for this selection.
Vendor selection criteria:
- 100+ employees.
- More than 20 reviews on B2B review platforms.
Modern application security tools often provide a comprehensive suite of security features within a single package, integrating multiple types of security testing and protection capabilities. Scroll to the bottom of the article to see the types of application security tools.
Differentiating features
To understand why these features are important, check the definitions and significance of these differentiating features.
Top application security tools analyzed
Invicti: Best for web application scanning
Invicti’s Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) aims to deliver an overview of application security, employing a combination of dynamic application security testing and interactive application testing techniques (DAST + IAST) to uncover vulnerabilities. The deployment options for Invicti’s DAST tool include on-premises, public or private cloud, and hybrid environments. It’s most famous for its expertise in examining web apps for security, whether they’re internal or external sites.
Pros
- Users highlight Invicti’s notable capabilities, particularly its verification of access and SSL injection vulnerabilities, along with its integration with various security tools.
Cons
- Some users have suggested enhancing the detail and precision of its reports.
Choose Invicti for comprehensive web application scanning with multiple deployment options.
PortSwigger Burp Suite: Best for pentesting
PortSwigger’s Burp Suite is a web security testing tool that emphasizes both automated and manual DAST approaches. It integrates a mix of automated scanning with hands-on testing techniques and also includes Out-of-Band Application Security Testing (OAST) to augment its DAST functions.
Burp Suite is available in various editions, including Professional, Enterprise, and Community, each designed to cater to different requirements and operational scales. PortSwigger is renowned for catering to professionals aiming to refine their penetration testing skills. Users without technical proficiency may find the user interface daunting due to its complexity.
Pros
- Numerous reviewers have pointed out the solution’s ease of setup, emphasizing its straightforward and uncomplicated installation process.
Cons
- Some users have reported stability concerns, especially regarding significant memory consumption during scans.
NowSecure: Best for mobile application testing
NowSecure DAST is a mobile application testing tool that employs a combination of static, dynamic, and interactive analysis to assess a mobile app’s security posture comprehensively.
Pros
- Users note that the platform provides seamless integration and features a user-friendly interface.
Cons
- Some users point out that the testing process can be intricate and may necessitate hands-on involvement. Furthermore, the expense associated with the service can pose difficulties for smaller enterprises.
GitLab
GitLab, though not solely a security tool, includes a comprehensive suite of integrated security features designed to identify and address vulnerabilities within the platform. This suite includes various security testing tools and management practices embedded directly into the GitLab CI/CD pipeline, allowing for automated security checks to be conducted as an integral part of the development workflow.
Key aspects of GitLab Application Security involve Static Application Security Testing (SAST) for analyzing source code for vulnerabilities without executing the code, DAST for inspecting live web applications for exploitable vulnerabilities, and Dependency Scanning to check project dependencies for known vulnerabilities. Additionally, it includes Container Scanning for vulnerabilities within container images and license compliance to ensure that dependencies comply with legal and security standards.
The GitLab Secret Scanning is an important feature that automatically scans repositories for hardcoded secrets, such as API keys, passwords, and other sensitive information, to prevent accidental exposure and enhance the security of the codebase.
GitLab offers several key security features to enhance the security and compliance of applications:
- Dependency Scanning: Analyzes project dependencies to identify known vulnerabilities in the libraries and packages used.
- Container Scanning: Scans Docker images for vulnerabilities before they are deployed to production, ensuring the images are secure.
- API Security Testing: Examines APIs for potential security issues, ensuring they are robust against attacks and vulnerabilities.
- Fuzz Testing: Automatically tests applications with random and unexpected inputs to discover coding errors and security loopholes.
- Compliance Management: Provides tools and features to help ensure that projects meet regulatory and organizational compliance standards.
- Security Dashboard: Offers a centralized view of security vulnerabilities and compliance issues across all projects, enabling easier monitoring and management of security risks.
Pros
- Users argue that GitLab’s UI is simple to use, mainly for exporting projects from existing repositories such as GitHub and Bitbucket.
Cons
- Some users argue that the premium edition’s features are overpriced, and executing tasks could be relatively slow.
SonarQube: Best for code quality inspection
SonarQube is an open-source platform used for continuous inspection of code quality, performing automatic reviews with static analysis of code to detect bugs, code smells, and security vulnerabilities in over 20 programming languages. It also has different paid versions with more features.
While SonarQube can be used to show vulnerabilities, it is mainly a code scanning software.
Pros
- Users argue that the tool is suitable for static code analysis, detecting bugs, vulnerabilities, and code smells. Users also say that the custom rules feature is helpful for advanced users.
Cons
- Some users argue that SonarQube can be complex and challenging to configure.
Indusface WAS
The Indusface DAST tool, a component of the Indusface Web Application Scanning (WAS) suite, focuses on detecting web application vulnerabilities in real-time. This suite offers a unified platform for application security testing and vulnerability scanning, complete with cloud-based Web Application Firewall (WAF) functionalities.
Designed to identify an organization’s external web assets, including domains, subdomains, IP addresses, mobile applications, data centers, and various site types, the tool provides a comprehensive overview of the organization’s digital presence. Additionally, Indusface WAS can detect malware infections or application alterations.
Pros
- Users commend the tools for their prompt support and swift response times, also noting the team’s expertise and effectiveness.
Cons
- Some users suggest improvements to make the portal’s user interface more user-friendly and informative, pointing out that the current design appears outdated.
Contrast Assess
Contrast Security’s Contrast Assess mainly utilizes the Interactive Application Security Testing (IAST) methodology. It works by embedding an agent within the application equipped with sensors to monitor data flow in real-time. This internal assessment approach enables the tool to offer detailed insights into vulnerabilities present in various components such as libraries, frameworks, and custom code, as well as in configuration details, runtime control mechanisms, data flow, HTTP interactions, and connections to back-end systems.
Pros
- Users report that the solution accurately identifies vulnerabilities. Multiple users also noted that the real-time code evaluation feature is helpful.
Cons
- Users have suggested that the solution could enhance the section displaying third-party libraries with CVEs or vulnerabilities by providing more comprehensive details.
Checkmarx DAST
Checkmarx DAST aims to identify misconfigurations in servers/databases, as well as issues related to authentication and encryption. It provides real-time analysis, ensuring precise detection of vulnerabilities, coverage for various web applications and API frameworks, integration into existing workflows, and offers reports and analytics for insights.
Pros
- Some users commend the centralized reporting feature as a significant asset, enabling them to monitor issues effectively.
Cons
- Some users have encountered issues when compiling Checkmarx within their CI/CD pipelines.
HCL AppScan
HCL AppScan provides a suite of security testing tools. The suite encompasses various products such as AppScan on Cloud, AppScan 360, AppScan Standard, AppScan Source, and AppScan Enterprise.
Central to HCL AppScan are its DAST, SAST, and IAST capabilities. Additionally, the suite integrates with diverse development and deployment settings, supports regulatory compliance reporting, and has the ability to tailor its functionality through the AppScan Extension Framework.
Pros
- Users have praised HCL AppScan for its prompt response to feature requests, developer-friendly interface, and efficient vulnerability detection and severity grading capabilities.
Cons
- Users have expressed concerns about HCL AppScan, citing areas that need improvement, such as the dashboard interface, limited integration with specific container technologies, difficulties in CI/CD integration, and scalability issues arising from licensing restrictions.
Veracode
Veracode is a provider of application security solutions that offer a suite of services, including SAST, DAST, software composition analysis (SCA), and manual penetration testing, among others. Veracode’s cloud-based platform enables organizations to secure their web, mobile, and third-party applications throughout the software development lifecycle.
Pros
- Users argue that Veracode excels in creating multiple sandboxes and running various parts of the code individually. They also state that Veracode can be easily integrated with CI/CD pipelines, making it straightforward to trigger scans.
Cons
- Some users argue that the meditation of false positive flaws is not straightforward or internal to their team, arguing that there is a dependency on the Veracode admin team to mitigate the flaws, interrupting the overall workflow.
Note: Statements in the pros and cons sections are derived from real user reviews on B2B review platforms such as TrustRadius2 , Peerspot3 , and Capterra 4 .
Differentiating features of application security tools and their importance
Web Application Firewall (WAF)
Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) are crucial for application security as they act as a protective barrier between web applications and the internet, filtering and monitoring HTTP traffic to and from an application. WAFs help defend against common web exploits such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and cross-site request forgery (CSRF), among others.
By deploying a set of rules that define acceptable and unacceptable behavior, WAFs can block malicious requests before they reach the application, thereby enhancing security, preventing data breaches, and ensuring compliance with data protection regulations.
On-prem deployment
On-prem deployment is vital for application security tools in scenarios where organizations require complete control over their security infrastructure due to regulatory, compliance, or data sovereignty concerns. By hosting security tools on their own infrastructure, companies can tailor security measures to their specific needs, ensure that sensitive data remains on their premises, and maintain strict access control.
This deployment model is especially important for industries subject to stringent privacy regulations or where data cannot be stored or processed outside the company’s physical location, providing a higher level of security assurance and customization.
SQL injection detection
SQL injection detection is a critical feature for application security tools because it addresses one of the most dangerous vulnerabilities that can exist in web applications. SQL injection attacks allow attackers to manipulate backend databases through insecure application inputs, potentially leading to unauthorized access to sensitive data, data corruption, or even complete system compromise.
Security tools equipped with SQL injection detection capabilities can identify and mitigate these vulnerabilities by analyzing input data for malicious SQL queries. Thus, they can protect the application from data breaches, maintain data integrity, and ensure user trust.
XSS Detection
XSS detection is vital for application security as it prevents attackers from injecting malicious scripts that steal session cookies, credentials, or personal data. These attacks can lead to identity theft, data breaches, and unauthorized access. By identifying and blocking XSS vulnerabilities, security tools protect user data, enhance trust, and reduce financial and reputational risks for businesses.
Integration with SIEM tools
Integration with SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) tools is crucial for application security tools because it enables centralized monitoring, analysis, and response to security events across an organization’s entire infrastructure. By integrating with SIEM systems, application security tools can provide valuable context about application-level threats, such as attempted exploits, suspicious user activities, or abnormal traffic patterns, enriching the overall security posture.
This collaboration enables security teams to correlate data from multiple sources, detect sophisticated attack patterns, prioritize incident response efforts, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. Ultimately, integration with SIEM tools enhances visibility, agility, and effectiveness in defending against evolving cybersecurity threats.
Ticketing tool integrations
Integrations with ticketing tools are crucial for application security tools, as they streamline incident response workflows and facilitate effective collaboration between security teams and other stakeholders within an organization. By automatically generating tickets for identified security vulnerabilities or incidents, these integrations ensure that issues are promptly addressed, tracked, and resolved according to predefined processes.
This seamless communication between security tools and ticketing systems enhances transparency, accountability, and efficiency in managing security incidents, enabling organizations to mitigate risks more effectively and maintain the integrity and availability of their applications. Additionally, integration with ticketing tools helps establish a documented history of security events and actions taken, aiding in post-incident analysis and compliance efforts.
OAuth 2.0 integration
OAuth 2.0 integration is essential for application security tools because it provides a robust and secure framework for delegated access. This standard allows applications to grant limited access to their services on behalf of a user without exposing user credentials by using access tokens.
It’s crucial in modern applications that interact with other services or APIs, as it supports a variety of authorization flows suited for different client types, including web applications, mobile apps, and server-side applications. OAuth 2.0 helps enhance security by minimizing the risk of credential exposure and providing a more controlled and flexible authorization mechanism, which is crucial for maintaining secure and seamless user experiences across multiple services.
Core features of application security tools
- Static Application Security Testing (SAST): Analysis of source code or binaries without executing the application to identify potential security flaws.
- Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST): Testing applications during runtime to find vulnerabilities that are exploitable through web application interfaces.
- Web Application Firewalls (WAFs): Monitoring and filtering of incoming and outgoing web traffic to protect against common web threats and attacks.
- Software Composition Analysis (SCA): Identification of open-source components within application code to detect known vulnerabilities and license compliance issues.
- Threat Modeling: Systematic analysis of an application’s design to identify and prioritize potential threats, and to devise countermeasures to mitigate or eliminate them.
- Penetration Testing: Simulated cyberattacks are performed on applications to evaluate the system’s security.
- Security Information and Event Management (SIEM): Real-time monitoring and analysis of security alerts generated by applications and network hardware.
- Identity and Access Management (IAM): Tools to ensure that only authorized users can access specific data or applications, often incorporating Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA).
- Incident Response and Management: Procedures and tools to detect, respond to, and recover from security breaches or attacks.
What are the types of application security tools?
Application security tools are software products designed to identify, fix, and prevent security vulnerabilities within applications. Vulnerability scanning tools also form a similar domain.
These tools cover various aspects of security, including static and dynamic analysis to find vulnerabilities in both non-running and running applications, dependency checking for known vulnerabilities in libraries, and protection mechanisms like web application firewalls.
Modern application security tools often provide a comprehensive suite of security features within a single package, integrating multiple types of security testing and protection capabilities to offer a holistic approach to application security throughout the development lifecycle and beyond.
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Cem's work has been cited by leading global publications including Business Insider, Forbes, Washington Post, global firms like Deloitte, HPE and NGOs like World Economic Forum and supranational organizations like European Commission. You can see more reputable companies and resources that referenced AIMultiple.
Throughout his career, Cem served as a tech consultant, tech buyer and tech entrepreneur. He advised enterprises on their technology decisions at McKinsey & Company and Altman Solon for more than a decade. He also published a McKinsey report on digitalization.
He led technology strategy and procurement of a telco while reporting to the CEO. He has also led commercial growth of deep tech company Hypatos that reached a 7 digit annual recurring revenue and a 9 digit valuation from 0 within 2 years. Cem's work in Hypatos was covered by leading technology publications like TechCrunch and Business Insider.
Cem regularly speaks at international technology conferences. He graduated from Bogazici University as a computer engineer and holds an MBA from Columbia Business School.
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