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The Best Security Testing Tools

Here are the top 10 security testing tools I’d like to highlight out of the 21 I cover in this article:

  1. 1. New Relic — Best QA security testing with real-time performance insights
  2. 2. Snyk — Developer-friendly security platform with real-time semantic code analysis
  3. 3. Sonatype — Supply chain management solution with flexible policy engine
  4. 4. Vega — Java-based security scanner and testing tool for web applications
  5. 5. SonarQube — Continuous code inspection app great for enforcing quality standards
  6. 6. BeEF (Browser Exploitation Framework) — Pen testing software for web browsers
  7. 7. SQLMap — Penetration testing software for detecting SQL injection vulnerabilities
  8. 8. ImmuniWeb — Cloud and application security tool that simplifies compliance testing
  9. 9. Zed Attack Proxy (ZAP) — Extensible penetration testing tool with customizable heads up display
  10. 10. Invicti — DAST + IAST scanner that provides precise threat detection

Security testing tools help organizations safeguard their IT infrastructure against malicious attacks and software vulnerabilities. Many platforms automatically detect network assets and provide continuous monitoring so security professionals and developers can stay ahead of cyber threats. 

A wide range of tools is available with many more features that empower DevSecOps teams to prioritize security throughout software development. Check out our list of the best security testing tools to find the right solution for your business. 

Comparison Criteria

These criteria will help you evaluate the top security testing tools on the market. 

  1. User Interface (UI): An easy-to-use interface leads to faster adoption of new security testing tools. 
  2. Usability: Developers are increasingly prioritizing security, meaning your testing tools need to be accessible to stakeholders outside the security team.  
  3. Integrations: A security testing tool that supports your existing SIEM and DevOps tools won’t disrupt productivity. 
  4. Value for $: Ensure the cost of your security tool is aligned with the value it provides to keep your IT infrastructure safe.  

Security Testing Tools: Key Features

  1. Asset detection: Automated asset detection ensures your entire IT environment is monitored for critical vulnerabilities. 
  2. Static application security testing (SAST): SAST tools help developers implement security operations earlier in the software development lifecycle. 
  3. Policy management: A flexible policy management system enables DevSecOps teams to enforce software quality standards during each stage of development. 
  4. Threat prioritization: With automated threat prioritization, teams can focus on remediating issues that leave their systems the most vulnerable. 

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Overviews Of The 20 Best Security Testing Tools

Here’s a brief description of each security testing tool to showcase their best use case, some noteworthy features, and screenshots to give a snapshot of the user interface.

1

New Relic

Best QA security testing with real-time performance insights

This is an aggregated rating for this tool including ratings from Crozdesk users and ratings from other sites.
4.3
411 reviews

Free version available

From $49/user/month

New Relic is a performance monitoring and management platform that helps you keep an eye on your applications, infrastructure, and customer experience. It's designed to help you identify and fix issues before they become a problem, which is pretty awesome if you ask me.

I was impressed by how New Relic combines performance monitoring with security testing. It's not just about making sure your app is running smoothly; it's also about making sure it's secure. And for that, the platform connects with over 500 tools, which allow you to import telemetry from almost any tool you currently use.

Now, let's talk about some standout features that make New Relic different from other tools in the market. Here I would like to point out Grok, an AI assistant that can read your telemetry and identify outliers for you. Not only that, but you can ask questions to it and it will provide with potential code changes and find a root cause for an issue.

As mentioned earlier, a thing that sets New Relic apart is its integrations. It works seamlessly with a wide range of popular tools and platforms, like AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, and more. This means you can easily incorporate it into your existing workflow and get the most out of your security testing efforts. If, however, you cannot find a pre-built integration with a tool you currently use, you can use its API to custom-build it.

Overall, I think New Relic is a fantastic choice for anyone looking for a security testing tool that's both powerful and easy to use.

2

Snyk

Developer-friendly security platform with real-time semantic code analysis

$98/developer/month

Snyk is a developer-first security platform that automatically identifies vulnerabilities in code, open-source dependencies, containers, and infrastructure as code. Built on an industry-leading security intelligence database, Snky empowers its users to detect more vulnerabilities faster. The platform also supports various programming languages, including JavaScript, Java (Grable, Maven), .Net, Python, and Ruby.

Developers can implement real-time semantic code analysis into development with Snyk’s static application security testing platform, Snyk Code. Powered by machine learning, Snyk Code utilizes logic programming rules to identify security issues as code is written. The system is trained on Snyk’s Vulnerability Database, resulting in fewer false positives.

Snyk integrates with leading DevOps tools, including Microsoft Visual Studio, GitHub, CircleCI, and Jira.

A free forever plan with limited testing is available for individual developers. Subscriptions for teams start at $98/developer/month.

3

Sonatype

Supply chain management solution with flexible policy engine

starting at $135/month for 25 developers.

Sonatype offers a suite of products that enable secure software supply chain management. Products include firewalls, application lifecycle management, auditing solutions, repository management, and security tools. Nexus Lifecycle is one of Sonatype’s security tools that helps developers protect their open-source dependencies. The tool automatically identifies and remediates open-source vulnerabilities, allowing enterprise developers to scale open source monitoring across their software supply chain.

Nexus Lifecycle provides a flexible policy engine that gives application security teams complete control of their software. AppSec teams can create custom policies based on app type and organization. Users can also configure policies to report risks to stakeholders or fail software builds based on the severity of policy violations.

Sonatype’s products integrate with popular development tools, including Docker, OpenShift, and Azure DevOps.

Pricing is based on the number of developers on your team, with Nexus Lifecycle starting at $135/month for 25 developers.

4

Vega

Java-based security scanner and testing tool for web applications

Free To Use

Vega is a Java based security testing tool that helps you identify vulnerabilities in your applications by finding and validating SQL injection, cross-site scripting and inadvertently disclosed sensitive information. The tool runs on Linux, Mac and Windows, and provides an automated scanner for quick tests and intercepting proxy. Vega is GUI based and is extensible, allowing you to create new attack modules using the API exposed by the app. Vega offers features whereby it can automatically log into sites when supplied with user credentials, and also provides a crawler that powers its automated scanner. The tool also probes for TLS/SSL security settings, allowing you to identify opportunities for improving the security of your TLS servers. Lastly, you can configure Vega’s proxy to run attack modules while you are browsing the target site through it. Vega is fully open source and free to use.

5

SonarQube

Continuous code inspection app great for enforcing quality standards

Starts at $20,000/year

SonarQube continuously inspects code quality utilizing static code analysis. The platform generates detailed reports on bugs, code smells, vulnerabilities, and code duplications, enabling software teams to detect security issues early in development. The program supports over 25 programming languages, including Python, Java, C#, and VB.NET.

Developers can ensure their code is ready for release with SonarQube’s Quality Gates, which enforce your organization’s quality policy. Developers can define a set of conditions a project must meet, and SonarQube will indicate whether your code has passed or failed. SonarQube recommends utilizing their default “Sonar way” Quality Gate, which focuses on keeping new code clean and spending less effort remediating old code.

SonarQube integrates with Jenkins, Azure DevOps, BitBucket, GitHub, and many other DevOps platforms.

Pricing for SonarQube’s Developer plan starts at $150/year based on usage. The Enterprise edition starts at $20,000/year. A free, open-source solution is also available.

6

BeEF (Browser Exploitation Framework)

Pen testing software for web browsers

Free To Use

BeEF is a security testing tool that focuses on web browser testing. The tool provides extensive cyber security by offering the ability to assess the security posture of your desired environments by using client-side attack vectors. BeEF also uses GitHub to track issues and host its repositories. BeEF aims to look past the hardened network perimeter and client system, allowing you to examine the exploitability within your web browser. The tool hooks one or more browsers, and uses them as front lines for launching further attacks against your systems from within your browser context. BeEF is easy to set up and therefore easy to implement within your workflows. BeEF is fully open source and free to use.

7

SQLMap

Penetration testing software for detecting SQL injection vulnerabilities

SQLMap is a python-based penetration testing tool that automates the detection and exploitation of SQL injection flaws and database takeovers. Penetration testers can utilize five SQL injection techniques: boolean-based blind, time-based blind, error-based, UNION query, and stacked queries. The system supports MySQL, Oracle, PostgreSQL, IBM DB2, and various other database management systems.

Once SQLMap detects SQL injection bugs in an application, testers can perform extensive database fingerprinting and execute various attacks. Supported attacks include brute-forcing table and column names, dumping database schemas, and enumerating users, privileges, and password hashes.

Penetration testers can integrate SQLMap with Burp Suite, an application testing tool, by utilizing PortSwigger’s SQLiPy extension.

SQLMap is free and open source.

8

ImmuniWeb

Cloud and application security tool that simplifies compliance testing

$499/month

The ImmuniWeb AI Platform offers a variety of SaaS products for asset discovery, penetration testing, and continuous web and mobile application monitoring. Security teams can monitor OWASP Top 10 and SANS Top 25 security vulnerabilities. Immuniweb offers a money-back guarantee if you find any false positives in your vulnerability reports.

ImmuniWeb On-Demand is a great tool to help businesses meet regulatory and compliance requirements in a simple, cost-effective way. It works by regularly performing a penetration test on systems that store or process personal data and identifying privacy misconfigurations that may violate compliance requirements. The platform covers a range of regulations, including HIPPA, California CCPA, CPRA, PCI DSS, Hong Kong PDPO, and EU and UK GDPR.

Users can easily integrate ImmuniWeb products with their existing development, web application firewall, and SIEM tools, including Bugzilla, Azure DevOps, Qualys WAF, and Splunk.

Pricing starts at $499/month. ImmuniWeb community edition offers a variety of free security tests for cloud systems, dark web exposure, and mobile and web applications.

9

Zed Attack Proxy (ZAP)

Extensible penetration testing tool with customizable heads up display

Free to use

OWASP ZAP is a free, open-source penetration testing tool for web applications. The system supports automated and manual penetration testing. ZAP’s ease of use makes the tool accessible to users of all skill levels, from developers to security experts. Testers can utilize ZAP as a stand-alone application or daemon process. Versions of Zap are available for major operating systems and Docker.

Many web application security testing tools aren’t user-friendly; however, ZAP simplifies penetration testing with its intuitive heads up display (HUD). The HUD is a user interface overlaid on a target application, enabling you to access ZAP functionality from any modern browser. This feature is handy for developers, who can efficiently conduct testing on custom build scripts by connecting them to the HUD.

The ZAP Marketplace contains an extensive library of add-ons to extend the tool’s functionality. Add-ons are available for crawling JavaScript-heavy websites and endpoint detection.

10

Invicti

DAST + IAST scanner that provides precise threat detection

Available upon request

Invicti is an enterprise black-box security scanner for identifying vulnerabilities in web applications, websites, and web services. The platform combines dynamic (DAST) and true interactive (IAST) scanning to provide extensive vulnerability coverage and precise threat detection. After vulnerabilities are found, your team can utilize Invicti’s integrations with issue tracking systems to assign them for remediation.

Invicti produces detailed scan reports that enable developers to fix vulnerabilities quickly. Scan reports include various details about each security vulnerability, including its type, variant, classification (i.e., OWASP), location, and potential impact. Reports also include immediate actions developers can take to fix vulnerabilities.

The platform offers over 50 integrations, with support available for GitHub, Jenkins, and Jira.

Pricing is available upon request.

Need expert help selecting the right Testing Software?

We’ve joined up with the software comparison platform Crozdesk.com to assist you in finding the right software. Crozdesk’s Testing Software advisors can create a personalized shortlist of software solutions with unbiased recommendations to help you identify the solutions that best suit your business’s needs. Through our partnership you get free access to their bespoke software selection advice, removing both time and hassle from the research process.

It only takes a minute to submit your requirements and they will give you a quick call at no cost or commitment. Based on your needs you’ll receive customized software shortlists listing the best-fitting solutions from their team of software advisors (via phone or email). They can even connect you with your selected vendor choices along with community negotiated discounts. To get started, please complete the form below:

The Best Security Testing Tools Summary

Tool Free Option Price
1
New Relic

Best QA security testing with real-time performance insights

Free version available

From $49/user/month Visit Website
2
Snyk

Developer-friendly security platform with real-time semantic code analysis

Not available

$98/developer/month Visit Website
3
Sonatype

Supply chain management solution with flexible policy engine

Not available

starting at $135/month for 25 developers. Visit Website
4
Vega

Java-based security scanner and testing tool for web applications

Free To Use

Visit Website
5
SonarQube

Continuous code inspection app great for enforcing quality standards

Not available

Starts at $20,000/year Visit Website
6
BeEF (Browser Exploitation Framework)

Pen testing software for web browsers

Free To Use

Visit Website
7
SQLMap

Penetration testing software for detecting SQL injection vulnerabilities

Not available

Visit Website
8
ImmuniWeb

Cloud and application security tool that simplifies compliance testing

Not available

$499/month Visit Website
9
Zed Attack Proxy (ZAP)

Extensible penetration testing tool with customizable heads up display

Not available

Free to use Visit Website
10
Invicti

DAST + IAST scanner that provides precise threat detection

Not available

Available upon request Visit Website

Other Options

Here are a few more security testing tools that didn’t make the top list.

  1. Intruder

    Cloud-based vulnerability scanner with automatic IP and DNS tracking tool

  2. Google Nogotofail

    Network security testing tool for detecting known TLS/SSL vulnerabilities

  3. Wapiti

    Open-source black-box security scanner

  4. Imperva

    Offers comprehensive suite of tools for application, network, data, and cloud-native security

  5. Tenable

    Risk-based vulnerability management solution with threat prediction capability

  6. Rapid7

    All-in-one solution for automated application security, detection, and response

  7. Burp Suite

    Web security platform with automated and manual pen testing tools

  8. Probely

    Developer-friendly web application and API vulnerability scanner

  9. Cyberpion

    Attack surface management solution with multi-factor vulnerability assessment engine

  10. Wfuzz

    Provides framework to automate security scanning and penetration testing for Python-based web applications

What do you think about this list?

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By Paulo Gardini Miguel

Paulo brings +12 years of experience in software development and team building, creating products for the Media and Advertising industries. With a track record of building high-performance lean teams, he specializes in handling large volumes of data and empowering his team to own their projects and products. When he’s not working, he’s a frustrated musician with a passion for football and technology.

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