Acunetix Alternatives — Which One Fits Your Security Stack?

Security teams require Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) tools. These tools identify vulnerabilities in running web applications and APIs. We examine acunetix alternatives, offering similar and sometimes extended capabilities for security practitioners.

Here is a comparison of leading DAST solutions:

Feature	Acunetix	Invicti	Burp Suite Enterprise Edition	OWASP ZAP
Primary Scan Type	DAST	DAST	DAST	DAST (Proxy-based)
Scope (Web Apps, APIs)	Web Apps, APIs	Web Apps, APIs	Web Apps, APIs	Web Apps, APIs
SAST Capability	No (DAST only)	No (DAST only)	No (DAST only)	No (DAST only)
IAST Capability	Yes (AcuSensor)	Yes (Invicti Hawk)	No	No
False Positive Reduction	Proof-of-Exploit, AcuSensor	Proof-of-Exploit, Smart Scan Engine	Low, leverages Burp Scanner logic	Manual verification often required
Reporting (Compliance)	PCI DSS, ISO 27001, HIPAA, GDPR	PCI DSS, HIPAA, ISO 27001, OWASP Top 10	OWASP Top 10, PCI DSS	Customizable, basic built-in
CI/CD Integration	Jenkins, Azure DevOps, GitLab CI	Jenkins, Azure DevOps, GitLab CI, TeamCity	Jenkins, GitLab CI, Azure DevOps, CircleCI	Custom scripting via API/CLI
Issue Tracker Integration	Jira, GitHub, Bugzilla, TFS	Jira, GitHub, ServiceNow, Azure DevOps	Jira, GitHub, GitLab, TeamCity	Custom scripting via API/CLI
Deployment Options	On-premises, Cloud	On-premises, Cloud (SaaS)	On-premises, Cloud (SaaS)	Local desktop, Docker, Cloud
API Security Testing	Yes (OpenAPI/Swagger, WSDL)	Yes (OpenAPI/Swagger, GraphQL, SOAP)	Yes (OpenAPI/Swagger, GraphQL, SOAP)	Yes (OpenAPI/Swagger, SOAP)
JavaScript/SPA Scanning	Advanced DOM parsing	Advanced DOM parsing	Advanced DOM parsing	Requires configuration, browser integration
Proof-of-Exploit	Yes	Yes	No (identifies, does not exploit)	Manual verification

Head-to-Head: Pricing Models

Acunetix employs a subscription-based pricing model. It typically licenses based on the number of websites or web applications scanned. This structure suits organizations with a defined application portfolio. Pricing tiers often include different feature sets and support levels. Contacting their sales team is necessary for specific quotes. Invicti also uses a subscription model. Its pricing scales with the number of applications and the frequency of scans. Invicti often targets larger enterprises with extensive web assets. They offer various editions, each with increasing capabilities and support. Prospective buyers must request a custom quote. Burp Suite Enterprise Edition follows a subscription model tied to concurrent scans or applications. This allows flexibility for teams needing to scan many applications but not all at once. PortSwigger offers different plans, from small teams to large enterprises. Their pricing is transparent for initial tiers, scaling with usage. OWASP ZAP stands as a free, open-source tool. It incurs no direct licensing costs. However, teams adopting ZAP must account for internal resource costs. These include setup, configuration, maintenance, and custom scripting. Expertise in web security and scripting is essential for effective deployment.

Head-to-Head: Feature Depth

Acunetix excels in DAST for complex web applications. Its AcuSensor technology provides IAST-like visibility into application code. This reduces false positives and identifies vulnerabilities with high accuracy. It handles modern web technologies, including JavaScript-heavy SPAs and APIs. Acunetix offers comprehensive reports for compliance and development teams. Invicti (formerly Netsparker) delivers robust DAST capabilities. Its proof-of-exploit feature verifies vulnerabilities automatically. This eliminates manual verification steps. Invicti Hawk provides IAST capabilities for deeper insights. It scales well for large organizations managing hundreds or thousands of applications. Invicti supports a wide range of web technologies and API types. Burp Suite Enterprise Edition leverages the powerful scanning engine from Burp Scanner. It focuses on DAST for web applications and APIs. The enterprise version automates scans, integrating into CI/CD pipelines. It identifies a broad spectrum of vulnerabilities without attempting exploitation. Its strength lies in deep analysis of HTTP traffic and application logic. Read more about DAST tools and their capabilities in DAST Tools Sec Teams Swear By. OWASP ZAP offers an extremely customizable DAST solution. It functions as an intercepting proxy, allowing manual and automated testing. Its scripting capabilities extend its functionality significantly. Teams can write custom scripts for specific vulnerability checks or integrations. ZAP requires more manual effort and security expertise to configure and operate effectively. It supports various add-ons for enhanced scanning.

Head-to-Head: Ease of Use

Acunetix presents an intuitive web-based interface. Users can easily configure scans and review results. Its dashboard provides a clear overview of security posture. The learning curve for basic operation is relatively low. Advanced configurations and custom rules may require more familiarity. Invicti also offers a user-friendly web interface. Its onboarding process streamlines the setup of scanning profiles for many applications. The dashboard provides actionable insights into vulnerability trends. Its automation features simplify continuous scanning. Teams can quickly integrate it into existing workflows. Burp Suite Enterprise Edition features a clean web UI for managing scans and agents. It is straightforward for users familiar with the Burp Suite ecosystem. Setting up complex scan policies or integrating with custom CI/CD pipelines requires some technical understanding. The initial deployment of agents can be managed via various methods. OWASP ZAP has the steepest learning curve. Its desktop application provides many options and configurations. New users may find it overwhelming. Effective use often requires understanding proxy concepts, scripting languages, and web vulnerabilities. While powerful, it demands dedicated time for training and customization.

Head-to-Head: API and Integrations

Acunetix provides a comprehensive REST API. This API enables automation of scans, management of targets, and retrieval of results. It integrates with popular CI/CD platforms like Jenkins and Azure DevOps. Issue trackers such as Jira and GitHub receive automated vulnerability reports. WAFs can also leverage Acunetix findings for dynamic rule updates. Invicti offers a robust API designed for DevSecOps workflows. Its REST API allows full programmatic control over scanning processes. It integrates with a wide array of CI/CD tools, including GitLab CI and TeamCity. Invicti pushes findings to defect management systems like ServiceNow and Azure DevOps. It supports webhooks for real-time notifications. Burp Suite Enterprise Edition features a well-documented API. It focuses on integrating DAST into existing development pipelines. The API allows triggering scans, fetching results, and managing scan policies. It connects with major CI/CD systems and issue trackers. This facilitates shift-left security initiatives. OWASP ZAP has an extensive API, accessible via HTTP/JSON. It also provides a command-line interface for automation. Teams can script custom integrations with CI/CD systems or issue trackers. This requires development effort to build and maintain. For example, triggering a ZAP scan and parsing results in a CI pipeline might look like this:

# Example: Run ZAP in a CI/CD pipeline
# Start ZAP in daemon mode
zap.sh -daemon -port 8080 -host 0.0.0.0 -config api.disablekey=true &

# Wait for ZAP to start
sleep 10

# Configure proxy for the application under test
export HTTP_PROXY=http://localhost:8080
export HTTPS_PROXY=http://localhost:8080

# Spider and Active Scan the target
curl "http://localhost:8080/JSON/spider/action/scan/?url=http%3A%2F%2Ftarget.example.com%2F"
curl "http://localhost:8080/JSON/ascan/action/scan/?url=http%3A%2F%2Ftarget.example.com%2F"

# Wait for scan to complete (poll status)
# ...

# Generate HTML report
curl "http://localhost:8080/JSON/core/action/htmlreport/?apikey=" > zap_report.html

# Shutdown ZAP
curl "http://localhost:8080/JSON/core/action/shutdown/?apikey="

This level of customization provides flexibility but demands internal expertise.

Verdict: Choosing the Right Tool

Selecting the appropriate DAST tool depends on several factors. Consider your team size, budget, and specific use cases. Each acunetix alternative offers distinct advantages. For small teams or those with limited budgets, OWASP ZAP is a strong contender. It provides powerful scanning capabilities at no direct cost. However, be prepared for a steeper learning curve and a need for internal security expertise. It suits targeted testing and specific vulnerability research. Mid-sized teams needing a balance of features, automation, and ease of use often find Acunetix suitable. Its intuitive interface and IAST capabilities (AcuSensor) streamline vulnerability management. It is a good choice for organizations with a growing portfolio of web applications. Large enterprises or organizations with mature DevSecOps practices should consider Invicti or Burp Suite Enterprise Edition. Invicti excels in scalability, proof-of-exploit, and comprehensive vulnerability management across many applications. Burp Suite Enterprise Edition is ideal for teams deeply integrated with the Burp ecosystem, prioritizing API and web application security within CI/CD pipelines. Both offer extensive integrations and reporting for compliance and development workflows.

Where Secably Fits

Secably provides External Attack Surface Management (EASM). It continuously discovers internet-facing assets. It identifies hidden exposures and potential entry points. This complements dedicated DAST tools like Acunetix by providing a broader context of your external attack surface. DAST tools focus on specific web applications; Secably helps you find all your web applications first. Secably offers continuous vulnerability scanning for detected assets. This identifies network-level vulnerabilities and misconfigurations. It provides a foundational layer of security visibility. Use our free website vulnerability scanner for quick, on-demand checks. Our free port scanner identifies open ports and services on your perimeter. Secably focuses on external reconnaissance and asset inventory. It helps prioritize which applications require deeper DAST scrutiny. For instance, if Secably discovers an unknown web server, DAST tools can then thoroughly scan it. Secably does not replace the deep, authenticated scanning performed by DAST solutions. It enhances your overall security posture by ensuring you know what you need to protect. Learn more about protecting your web applications in A Technical Breakdown of Web Application Security. Secably provides continuous visibility, helping you manage risks proactively.