Embarking on the journey of finding the right dynamic application security testing tool can seem overwhelming. Finding and fixing vulnerabilities in web apps before they go live is super important. That’s where DAST tools come in handy.
It is quite normal for anyone to be confused out there in the market when it comes to deciding on the best tool that one can get for their company. It is best to carry out an analysis of all the options available to protect oneself from a bad investment.
To save you the trouble, I’ve curated a list of the best DAST tools out there. Drawing from my experience working with different teams and projects, I’ll simplify the world of DAST tools for you.
Drawing from my extensive experience and deep evaluation, I present to you the top 10 best dynamic application security tools that will help you keep your software development processes secured in 2024.
- CloudDefense.AI
- HCL AppScan
- Veracode
- Acunetix
- Checkmarx DAST
- Fortify WebInspect by OpenText
- Synopsys WhiteHat Dynamic
- Invicti
- PortSwigger Burp Suite
- IBM Security AppScan
Continue reading to get in-depth knowledge of the best DAST tools mentioned above. Let’s get started!
What to look for in a DAST solution?
Choosing the best DAST solution for your organization requires careful consideration of several factors to ensure security coverage and effectively reduce vulnerabilities in your applications. Here are some tips from my side on what to look for when evaluating DAST solutions.
Visibility Into All Applications
DAST solutions should provide visibility into all your web applications, including those across multiple domains and SSL certificates. This ensures that no security vulnerabilities are left undetected, minimizing the risk of potential breaches.
Scanning Depth and Accuracy
Select a DAST tool that can thoroughly explore and examine all parts of your web applications, even the complex ones built with modern technologies like JavaScript. Make sure the tool can also test areas that require authentication to ensure a deep assessment of vulnerabilities.
API Scanning
API scanning is essential, as many modern web applications rely on microservices and third-party components accessed via APIs. Ensure compatibility with common API formats like WADL and OpenAPI to effectively identify API vulnerabilities.
Easy Remediation
Prioritize a DAST solution that offers clear vulnerability reports along with specific guidance on how to fix issues easily, especially in live environments. Your DAST tool should list all vulnerabilities and suggest effective actions for mitigation, ensuring thorough security measures.
Performance
Balance scanning capabilities with performance by choosing a DAST solution that offers flexible scanning options and incremental scanning capabilities. This allows for rapid testing and retesting without impacting development and production workflows.
Compliance Reporting
Ensure that the DAST solution automates compliance reporting for regulatory standards such as PCI DSS, HIPAA, and GDPR. This makes it easy to follow up with the compliance process and helps demonstrate adherence to security testing requirements.
Choose a Comprehensive Solution
DAST tools on their own are not enough to provide a complete solution to application security. Even if you buy a DAST tool for your company, you would still need to buy other security solutions to make sure your software is completely protected. This is why you should opt for a CNAPP, Cloud-native application protection platform, that contains all the essential tools you are going to need to ensure the overall security of your software.
Product Maturity and Vendor Expertise
Lastly, evaluate the track record and market commitment of the DAST solution vendor that you have picked to ensure long-term reliability and support. Choose a vendor with a proven history of successful implementations and frequent product updates, demonstrating an ongoing commitment to enhancing technology and addressing customer needs.
10 Best Dynamic Application Security Testing Tools in 2024
I feel your pain when it comes to choosing the right security solution for your business. With a myriad of options available, it becomes hard to zero in on one that would be the best you can get within your budget.
Well, I have made things easier for you by picking these top ten best DAST tools in the market that contain the key features that I have mentioned above.
If you’re in a rush, we’ve compiled a handy list comparing key features, whether they give off false positives, and whether they offer a comprehensive application security solution.
|
Tools |
Key Features |
False Positives |
Complete App Security Solution (SAST & SCA) |
|
CloudDefense.AI |
|
No |
Yes |
|
HCL AppScan |
|
No |
Yes |
|
Veracode |
|
No |
Yes |
|
Acunetix |
|
No |
No |
|
Checkmarx DAST |
|
No |
Yes |
|
Fortify WebInspect by OpenText |
|
No |
No |
|
Synopsys WhiteHat Dynamic |
|
No |
No |
|
Invicti |
|
No |
No |
|
PortSwigger Burp Suite |
|
No |
No |
|
IBM Security AppScan |
|
No |
Yes |
CloudDefense.AI
CloudDefense.AI 
World’s Top CNAPP that Secures from Hacker Recon to Cloud to Your Code
CloudDefense.AI is a CNAPP that also offers DAST solution in its comprehensive all-in-one security platform, which is designed to identify vulnerabilities in running applications without requiring access to their source code. CloudDefense.AI has been known to offer better results than most competitors in the industry due to its revolutionary approach to cloud security.
Features
Comprehensive Vulnerability Detection
CloudDefense.AI's DAST tool conducts black-box application testing, detecting vulnerabilities in real-time while applications are in action.
Early Bug Detection
Actively identifies vulnerabilities during the development process, ensuring secure software solutions from the outset.
Issue Prioritization
Smoothen issue identification and prioritize high-risk concerns to make informed decisions and address critical vulnerabilities promptly.
Accelerated Bug Fixes
Swiftly resolves security vulnerabilities before they reach production, ensuring rapid software delivery without compromising security.
Pros
Allows you to gain complete visibility into vulnerabilities and locate forgotten web assets, ensuring comprehensive protection and effortless remediation tracking.
Lets you integrate with popular languages and frameworks, protecting code against vulnerabilities across diverse application stacks.
Easily integrate DAST into Continuous Integration systems for continuous protection, catching vulnerabilities early in the development pipeline.
You can seamlessly integrate with popular languages and frameworks, safeguarding code against vulnerabilities across diverse application stacks.
Security testing automation throughout the Software Development Life Cycle, targeting critical vulnerabilities and saving valuable time for development teams.
Enables collaboration between security and development teams, building a culture of shared responsibility for application security across the organization.
Easily manage vulnerabilities by categorizing them into critical, high, medium, and low severity levels, allowing for efficient risk mitigation and resource allocation.
Machine learning components enhance scanning efficiency by predicting promising links.
Cons
CloudDefense.AI's DAST tool may be hard to grasp for new users due to its advanced features and capabilities.
Don’t just take our word for it. Book a demo and witness firsthand the power and simplicity of CloudDefense.AI.
HCL AppScan
HCL AppScan
2nd Easiest To Use DAST Software
HCL AppScan is a DAST tool tailored for web applications, web APIs, and mobile backends. It automates security scans, offers detailed test results and insights, and supports compliance reports like PCI and HIPAA. Its advanced configuration options enable the scanning of complex applications, including multi-step sequences, while machine learning components enhance navigation and predictive scanning.
Pros
Comprehensive scanning capabilities for web applications, APIs, and mobile backends.
Detailed test results and insights provided, aiding in understanding and addressing security vulnerabilities.
Supports various compliance and industry-standard reports, catering to diverse regulatory needs.
Advanced configuration features for scanning complex applications, including multi-step sequences.
Cons
Requires significant configuration and tuning to achieve optimal results, which can be time-consuming.
Licensing costs may be prohibitive for small organizations or individual users.
Limited support for certain programming languages or frameworks may restrict its applicability.
The interface may be complex and overwhelming for some users, leading to usability issues.
Veracode
Veracode
3rd Easiest To Use DAST Software
Veracode is a cloud-native platform designed for identifying vulnerabilities in web applications and APIs, offering simultaneous scanning of multiple applications behind firewalls. Its unified crawl and audit feature streamlines the scanning process, while granular scan control and integration with ticketing systems enhance vulnerability management.
Pros
Cloud-native engine enhances scan and audit capabilities.
The Unified crawl and audit feature simplifies the scanning process, reducing time and potential errors.
Granular scan control with features like browser limitation and authentication support.
Integration with popular ticketing systems for comprehensive reporting and insights.
Cons
May have limitations in scanning certain types of applications or environments.
Manual testing requires additional payment.
Interface may be complex for some users, leading to usability issues.
May lack advanced scanning features offered by competitors in the market.
Acunetix
Acunetix
4th Easiest To Use DAST Software Testing (SAST) software
Acunetix offers comprehensive web application security scanning, detecting over 7,000 vulnerabilities including SQL injections and XSS, with blended DAST + IAST scanning for thorough threat coverage. It automatically monitors all websites, applications, and APIs, even scanning single-page and script-heavy applications.
Pros
Detects over 7,000 vulnerabilities, including SQL injections and XSS.
Offers blended DAST + IAST scanning for comprehensive threat coverage.
Scans single-page and script-heavy applications, as well as password-protected sections or unlinked files.
Provides quick results and explicit remediation guidance, minimizing false positives.
Cons
Requires significant configuration and tuning to achieve optimal results, which can be time-consuming.
Dependency on external tools and integrations may introduce additional complexity and potential points of failure.
Not a complete solution as it is only focused on web application security.
Checkmarx DAST
Checkmarx DAST
5th Easiest To Use DAST Software
Checkmarx DAST is a DAST solution that identifies vulnerabilities in web applications, offering live application scanning and seamless integration into CI/CD pipelines. With unified reporting and aggregated scanning, it provides comprehensive vulnerability assessment and cloud-powered scalability.
Pros
Live application scanning allows for the detection of vulnerabilities during simulated attacks.
Seamless integration into CI/CD pipelines ensures comprehensive security testing before production release.
Unified reporting provides a comprehensive view of application risk.
Cloud-powered scanning offers speed and scalability without the need for managing scanning infrastructure.
Cons
Interface complexity could lead to usability issues for some users.
Dependency on cloud infrastructure may raise security or reliability concerns for certain organizations.
The need for ongoing support and maintenance may add to operational overhead.
Fortify WebInspect by OpenText
Fortify WebInspect by OpenText
6th Easiest To Use DAST Software
Fortify WebInspect by OpenText is another DAST solution designed to detect vulnerabilities and configuration issues in applications through simulated real-world attacks. It offers features like Functional Application Security Testing, HAR file utilization, scalability options, pre-set policies for compliance, horizontal scaling with Kubernetes, REST APIs for integration, and support for RESTful web services and pre-configured scan templates.
Pros
Simulation of real-world attacks helps pinpoint vulnerabilities effectively.
Offers Functional Application Security Testing (FAST) for comprehensive scanning.
Supports HAR file utilization for workflow scanning and management of application security risks.
Provides scalability options with on-premises, SaaS, or AppSec-as-a-service deployments.
Cons
Dependency on cloud infrastructure or Kubernetes may raise security or reliability concerns for certain organizations.
Limited support for certain programming languages or frameworks may restrict applicability.
Ongoing support and maintenance requirements may add to operational overhead.
Synopsys WhiteHat Dynamic
Synopsys WhiteHat Dynamic
7th Easiest To Use DAST Software
WhiteHat Dynamic is a cloud-based DAST SaaS solution that efficiently conducts vulnerability assessments on web applications, leveraging AI and ML for precise results, verified vulnerabilities, and actionable reports. Its continuous analysis ensures instant identification of code changes and vulnerabilities, offering an “always on” security appraisal while guaranteeing data safety during production assessments and exceeding PCI DSS 3.1 requirements with expert security consultants, open API integration, and compatibility with single-page and traditional applications.
Pros
Cloud-based DAST SaaS solution for efficient vulnerability assessments.
Offers verified vulnerabilities and actionable reports for effective remediation.
Continuous analysis provides instant identification of code changes and vulnerabilities.
Guarantees data safety during production assessments, ensuring optimal performance.
Cons
Licensing costs may be prohibitive for small organizations or individual users.
Interface complexity could lead to usability issues for some users.
Requires significant configuration and tuning for optimal results, potentially time-consuming.
Limited flexibility in customization options may restrict adaptability to specific organizational needs.
Invicti
Invicti
8th Easiest To Use DAST Software
Invicti is an enterprise-grade application security testing tool offering automated testing capabilities that seamlessly integrate into the SDLC. With its unique DAST + IAST scanning method, Invicti provides comprehensive insights into an organization’s application security landscape, identifying overlooked assets and delivering valuable, accurate results.
Pros
Automated security testing integrated into the SDLC for efficient vulnerability management.
Unique DAST + IAST scanning method provides a comprehensive view of application security.
Reports fewer false positives, ensuring valuable and accurate insights.
Cons
May have a steep learning curve for beginners due to advanced features.
Limited support for certain programming languages or frameworks may restrict applicability.
Cost is high for small companies.
PortSwigger Burp Suite
PortSwigger Burp Suite
9th Easiest To Use DAST Software
Burp Suite offers an all-in-one suite of tools for manual and automated discovery, analysis, testing, and remediation of web application vulnerabilities. With browser integration for intercepting and modifying HTTP messages, support for HTTP/2 testing, WebSocket communication, and an embedded browser with a JavaScript analysis engine.
Pros
Comprehensive suite of tools for manual and automated web application security testing.
Browser integration for intercepting and modifying HTTP messages, aiding in quick assessment.
Supports HTTP/2 testing, WebSocket communication, and embedded browser with JavaScript analysis engine for thorough assessment, even within complex SPAs.
Authenticated scanning capabilities adaptable to intricate login mechanisms like single sign-on.
Cons
Requires significant configuration and tuning for optimal results, potentially time-consuming.
Overwhelming for companies that build small applications.
Limited support for certain programming languages or frameworks may restrict applicability.
Interface is very complex and requires experts to use it.
IBM Security AppScan
IBM Security AppScan
10th Easiest To Use DAST Software
IBM Security AppScan is a platform catering to the security testing needs of web and mobile applications, offering a balance of static, dynamic, and interactive testing to detect a broad range of vulnerabilities. With a comprehensive triad approach, strong support from IBM, and extensive integrations with SDLC tools, it’s ideal for large enterprises with complex security requirements.
Pros
A comprehensive triad approach to security testing ensures thorough vulnerability detection.
Strong support from IBM provides reliability and expertise in addressing security concerns.
Extensive integrations with SDLC tools streamline workflows for large enterprise environments.
Cons
Customization may require expert knowledge, potentially adding complexity to implementation and maintenance.
Pricing is high for smaller companies.
What is Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST)?
Dynamic application security testing is a category of web scanning tools specifically designed to identify security vulnerabilities within web applications. Unlike other testing methods, DAST tools assess vulnerabilities from the outside, without access to the source code architecture, making them a “black box” security solution.
DAST scanners operate through two main components: a “crawler” element that explores the web application to discover all possible URLs and a “detection” element that executes various requests against individual URLs. By simulating attacks on URLs within the web application, DAST scanners can identify and test for a wide range of vulnerabilities, providing valuable insights into potential security risks.
What are DAST Tools?
DAST tools are designed to assess web applications from the perspective of an attacker, simulating real-world attacks without access to the application’s source code. This approach is particularly valuable for skilled security specialists who understand that attackers often don’t have access to source code.
It’s recommended to use both DAST and SAST tools together for comprehensive security coverage. SAST tools should be implemented early in the development cycle to identify vulnerabilities in the source code. As the software progresses, DAST tools should be introduced to conduct external scans and identify potential vulnerabilities that may have been missed by SAST tools. This combined approach helps ensure thorough security testing throughout the software development lifecycle.
Conclusion
A single error in your application can prove to be very hazardous in the long run. Threat actors are always around the corner looking for any weak links that they can make use of in an application. If you already have a SAST solution, then it is only wise to invest in a DAST tool as well. Furthermore, as we have mentioned before, the best that you can get for yourself is subscribing to a CNAPP that can provide you with everything you need in one package.
Before choosing your next DAST tool, make sure that you analyze its features and keep it in line with your requirements. The tools that I have presented above are the best that you can get for yourself in the market at the moment with some of them being available in CNAPP options, such as CloudDefense.AI, to reduce your worries about tool integration.
Drawing from my experience working with a range of security tools throughout my career, I have made your search easier with the top ten in the market. However, it is up to you to decide which one goes best with your organization’s development cycle. Choose wisely to ensure a secure development environment.
Anshu Bansal, a Silicon Valley entrepreneur and venture capitalist, currently co-founds CloudDefense.AI, a cybersecurity solution with a mission to secure your business by rapidly identifying and removing critical risks in Applications and Infrastructure as Code. With a background in Amazon, Microsoft, and VMWare, they contributed to various software and security roles.
