Penetration Testing Tool Shortlist
Here are the top 10 penetration testing tools I’d like to highlight out of the 23 I cover in this article:
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As we continue to move farther into a digital world, cyber security has never been more important. With cyber attacks expected to increase dramatically in the coming years, it is imperative for organizations to step up their cyber security. Penetration testing tools can help spot and patch system weaknesses before they become a bigger problem.
In this article, I will present the best penetration testing tools that will help ensure your company is armed with the best tools possible to better your organization's security.
What are Penetration Testing Tools?
Penetration testing tools are software applications that are used to identify and exploit vulnerabilities in computer systems, networks, and applications. These tools simulate attacks on the target system in order to identify potential weaknesses and provide insights into how to mitigate those risks. Penetration testing tools may include a range of features, such as vulnerability scanning, network mapping, password cracking, and social engineering testing.
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Penetration testing tools are typically used by security professionals, such as ethical hackers or penetration testers, to assess the security posture of an organization and help identify areas for improvement. Penetration testing tools are an essential part of a comprehensive security strategy and can help organizations better understand their security risks and develop more effective mitigation plans.
Overviews Of The Best Penetration Testing Tools
Here’s a brief description of each penetration testing tool to showcase each tool’s best use case, some noteworthy features, and screenshots to give a snapshot of the user interface.
New Relic
Best for identifying and fixing security vulnerabilities
New Relic is all about application performance management (APM). It's a tool for those who need to monitor and manage the performance of their software applications. It's got a lot of great features that make it a great choice for quality assurance (QA) and penetration testing.
It's got a super comprehensive suite of features that make it easy to monitor, troubleshoot, and optimize your applications. Plus, it's got an intuitive interface that makes it easy to get the hang of, even if you're not a tech whiz.
One of the things I love about New Relic is its real-time analytics. It gives you instant insights into how your application is performing, which is super helpful when you're trying to identify and fix issues. It's also got a great alert system that notifies you when something's not right, so you can jump on it right away.
Key features include backend monitoring, Kubernetes monitoring, mobile monitoring, model performance monitoring, infrastructure monitoring, log management, error tracking, network monitoring, vulnerability management, and browser monitoring.
Integrations include over 500 apps, like AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure, CI/CD tools like Jenkins, CircleCI, and Travis CI, communication tools like Slack and PagerDuty, and other monitoring and analytics tools like Grafana, Datadog, and Splunk. It also has an API you can use to build custom integrations.
New Relic costs from $49/user/month and offers a free plan for 1 user and 100 GB/month of data ingest.
Astra
Best for hacker-style pentest testing for 3000+ vulnerabilities
Astra is a penetration testing tool that offers a comprehensive suite, allowing you to protect internet facing applications and your network infrastructure. The tool provides a clean and organized dashboard, from which you can manage your automated and manual pen tests. Astra allows you to carry out more than 3000 security tests.
Astra provides a Progressive Web App which allows you to access and manage your dashboard from anywhere. Through the app, you can organize and execute penetration tests from any device, which offers you and your team flexibility. You can also gain access to your detailed reports following the scans you have executed.
Astra integrates with platforms such as Jira, Slack and Github.
The cost of Astra starts at $99.00 USD per month for the Scanner package.
Acunetix
Best for continuous scanning
Acunetix is a penetration testing tool that is easy to use, and provides an array of features accessible to any level of a development team. Acunetix provides a quick analysis that can identify high risk vulnerabilities, as well as the ability to send different types of reports to various levels from board member to developer, tailored especially for the recipient.
Acunetix provides the ability for continuous scanning, allowing you to schedule regular scans of targets which checks for vulnerabilities in your infrastructure repeatedly. This allows you to have continuous security awareness of your organization’s vulnerability level. The feature also allows you to pause the scan at any time.
Acunetix integrates with issue trackers such as Jira, Bugzilla and Mantis.
Acunetix offers customized pricing upon request.
AppTrana
Best web application firewall (WAF) and risk-based security solution
AppTrana is a web application firewall (WAF) used for penetration testing, behavioral-based DDoS protection, mitigating bot attacks, and defending against the OWASP top 10 vulnerabilities. AppTrana is employed by security-conscious companies across myriad industries, such as Axis Bank, Jet Aviation, Niva Health Insurance, and TRL Transport.
AppTrana is a fully managed security solution, which means that their web security expert team takes on the analyzing and updating of security policies so you don't have to. Higher-level accounts will get a named account manager to assist them; the highest subscription level comes with quarterly service reviews (highly recommended!).
Key features include unlimited application security scanning, manual pen-testing of applications, managed CDN, false positive monitoring, custom SSL certificates, and risk-based API protection. Their website is packed full of detailed feature explanations as well as a blog, learning center, whitepapers, infographics, and datasheets, so I highly recommend you take a look around for yourself.
AppTrana costs from $99/month/app and comes with a free 14-day trial.
Core Impact
Best for replicating multi-staged attacks
Core Impact is a comprehensive penetration testing tool that allows you to exploit weaknesses in the security of your applications, and increase productivity. The tool provides an easy and clean user interface, as well as the ability to execute rapid penetration tests. This allows you to discover, test and report more efficiently.
Core Impact provides a feature for replicating multi-staged attacks, which allows you to pivot your pen tests across various systems, devices and applications. The feature allows you to configure various tests and execute them all at once. Another feature of Core Impact is the ability to install an agent on the server through SSH and SMB, making white box testing more effective.
The cost of Core Impact starts at $9,450 USD per year for the Basic package. The tool also offers a free trial.
Aircrack-ng
Best for simulated cyber security attacks on wireless networks
Aircrack-ng is a security testing tool that allows you to complete WiFi auditing and security assessments of your wireless network. The tool allows you to carry out security testing such as checking WiFi cards and driver capabilities. Aircrack-ng also allows you to packet capture and export the data to text files so you can process further using third party tools.
Aircrack-ng provides a robust attacking feature that allows you to simulate attacks on your wireless network. The tool allows you to perform replay attacks and de-authentication, as well as set up fake access points. Aircrack-ng also allows you to perform attacks on WEP and WPA PSK.
Aircrack-ng is fully open source and free to use.
Kali Linux
Best pentesting with live USB mode for portable use
Kali Linux is a penetration testing tool that boasts a full suite of features without the need to install them separately. The tool provides a high level of security and stability, as well as a clean and user friendly interface so you can better organize your tasks. You can use Kali Linux for both offensive security and defensive security.
Kali Linux provides a live USB mode that allows you to plug your USB into any machine and run the application. The USB live mode makes no changes to your system’s hard drive and is customizable, allowing you to run your own Kali Linux ISO image. You can also configure the feature to have persistent storage, allowing you to save the data you collect across various reboots.
Kali Linux is fully open source and free to use.
Burp Suite
Best penetration testing tool that provides a passive scan feature
Burp Suite is a penetration testing tool that allows you to improve your cyber security protocols with the use of a fully fleshed out toolkit. The tool boasts an array of features such as the Burp Intruder which allows you to automate customized cyber attacks against your applications, and Burp Repeater which allows you to manipulate and reissue individual HTTP requests manually.
Burp Scanner also has a passive scanning feature that allows you to divide the checks performed into active and passive checks. This allows you to set the targets and scopes, and cover areas that are easily missed. The tool also allows you to conduct active scans, ensuring that the entirety of your application is covered.
Burp Suite integrates with tools such as Jenkins and TeamCity.
The cost of Burp Suite starts at $6,995 per year. The tool also offers a free trial.
BreachLock
Best for comprehensive and scalable pen testing
BreachLock is a penetration testing tool that offers on-demand, continuous and scalable security testing. The tool can be used both for modern cloud and DevOps businesses. BreachLock allows for detection of vulnerabilities, and provides your contextualized reports of the findings, allowing you to act quickly to secure your systems.
BreachLock provides an abundance of features, such as the ability to schedule monthly or quarterly manual penetrations tests. The tests are conducted manually to experience the process of hackers, allowing you to determine the robustness of your security network. BreachLock also issues consistent alerts for new vulnerabilities, allowing you to stay updated.
BreachLock provides integrations with platforms such as Slack, Jira and Trello.
BreachLock offers customized pricing upon request.
Invicti
Best to configure pre-set scan profiles for less experienced users
Invicti is an automated security testing tool that allows you and your organization to secure all your web applications and reduce the risk of a cyber attack. Invicti is easy to configure, allows you to scan your websites and web applications for security flaws, and generates results reports. The tool also provides a technology dashboard that shows information about software versions used in your applications.
Invicti allows you to configure pre-set scan profiles, making it easy for anyone in your team to run scans and penetration tests. The feature is entirely customizable so you are able to set your scan profiles up in a way that is best for your web application and operating systems. Invicti also has a 24/7 responsive support team, which provides you assurance that you and your team have help at your disposal.
Inviciti integrates with tools such as Bugzilla, BitBucket and Asana.
Invicti provides customized pricing upon request.
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The Best Penetration Testing Tools Summary
| Tool | Free Option | Price | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Relic Best for identifying and fixing security vulnerabilities | Free version available | From $49/user/month | Visit Website |
| 2 | Astra Best for hacker-style pentest testing for 3000+ vulnerabilities | Not available | Starts at $99.00 USD/month for the Scanner package. | Visit Website |
| 3 | Acunetix Best for continuous scanning | Free demo available | Pricing available upon request | Visit Website |
| 4 | AppTrana Best web application firewall (WAF) and risk-based security solution | 14-day free trial | $99/month/app | Visit Website |
| 5 |  Core Impact Best for replicating multi-staged attacks | Free Trial | Starts at $9,450 USD/year for the Basic package | Visit Website |
| 6 |  Aircrack-ng Best for simulated cyber security attacks on wireless networks | Not available | Visit Website | |
| 7 |  Kali Linux Best pentesting with live USB mode for portable use | Free to use | Visit Website | |
| 8 |  Burp Suite Best penetration testing tool that provides a passive scan feature | Free Trial | Starts at $6,995/ year | Visit Website |
| 9 |  BreachLock Best for comprehensive and scalable pen testing | Not available | Pricing upon request | Visit Website |
| 10 |  Invicti Best to configure pre-set scan profiles for less experienced users | Not available | Available upon request | Visit Website |
Other Options
Here are a few more that didn’t make the top list.
- Nessus
Best for easy to use credential and non credential scans
- W3af
Best open source web application cyber security scanner
- Intruder
Best for access to certified penetration testers and experts
- Metasploit
Best to verify likelihood and impact with real-world attacks
- BeEF (Browser Exploitation Framework)
Best penetration testing tool that focuses on the web browser to assess by using client-side attack vectors
- Wireshark
Best open-source network protocol analyzer for Windows and MacOS
- SQLMap
Best open source penetration testing tool used to detect and exploit SQL injection flaws
- Cain & Abel
Best free password cracking tool that uses brute force to assess the strength of your passwords
- Indusface WAS Free Website Security Check
Best for vulnerability protection with on demand manual testing
- John the Ripper
Best free password cracking tool that monitors your password security and also operates as a password recovery tool
How I Selected the Best Penetration Testing Tools
If you're wondering how I selected the best penetration testing tools, here's where I'll break it all down for you. First of all, I started with any penetration testing tools that have high user review and satisfaction ratings. Then, using my experience in QA, I discerned what key criteria were most important for tools for penetration and compared how each of them stacked up against the rest.
I empathize with how much time it takes to source the right software for a job. I do this work so that you don't have to. I've been using and reviewing tools for penetration testing for years so you can trust me to do the heavy lifting and compile all the facts you need to make your final decision.
Selection Criteria
After careful consideration, I've determined that these are the most important criteria when selecting the best penetration testing tools. Here's a brief list outlining the whats and whys of my selection.
User Interface (UI)
User interface (UI) is important when picking a penetration testing tool because it directly impacts the tool's usability and effectiveness. A good UI can make the tool more user-friendly, allowing testers to quickly and easily navigate the interface, configure the tool, and interpret the results. On the other hand, a poorly designed UI can lead to frustration, errors, and ultimately reduce the tool's effectiveness. Additionally, a well-designed UI can increase the efficiency and accuracy of the testing process by providing clear and concise information, allowing testers to focus on the task at hand.
Usability
Usability is crucial when selecting a penetration testing tool because it directly impacts the ability of the tester to effectively and efficiently conduct the testing process. A tool that is easy to use and navigate can help testers save time and reduce errors, allowing them to focus on the actual testing rather than struggling with the tool's functionality. A tool that is difficult to use, on the other hand, can slow down the testing process and may lead to inaccurate or incomplete testing results. Additionally, a tool with good usability can also help ensure that the testing process is consistent and repeatable, allowing for more reliable and accurate results.
Integrations
Software integrations are important when selecting a penetration testing tool because they can enhance the functionality and efficiency of the tool. By integrating the tool with other software or systems that are commonly used in the testing environment, testers can streamline the testing process and improve the accuracy of the results. For example, integrations with vulnerability scanners, network analysis tools, or threat intelligence platforms can provide additional context and information that can help identify vulnerabilities and prioritize remediation efforts. I look for native integrations or API access.
Pricing
Pricing is an important consideration when selecting a penetration testing tool because it can impact the overall cost-effectiveness and budget of the testing program. Some penetration testing tools may have high upfront costs or ongoing licensing fees, which may not be feasible for organizations with limited resources. Additionally, some tools may require additional hardware or software to run, which can further increase the cost. However, choosing a tool based solely on the lowest price point may not necessarily provide the best value in terms of functionality, usability, and effectiveness.
People Also Ask
Here are a few questions I frequently hear about penetration testing.
What are the benefits of penetration testing tools?
What are penetration testing tools key features?
What Other Testing Resources Do I Need?
Final Thoughts
Cyber crime continues to spike worldwide due to the increased accessibility of online resources and the increase in the amount of companies moving their businesses into remote working. I hope the tools that I have covered in this article will help you make an informed decision about the best route to take for your team and your business in ensuring your cyber security is locked up.
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