Top 12 Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) Tools in 2026

You can ship modern applications faster than ever today. AI writes half your code, pipelines deploy in minutes, and your team is cranking out features like each day is the end of the world.

But here’s a question for you: what’s keeping up with security?

Because speed in software development has a dark side. You can call it neglect, human error or the old saying “I will get back to it”, well it’s how bugs, misconfigs, and full-blown vulnerabilities sneak into production without anyone noticing. And attackers? They only need one.

That’s why Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) matters in 2025. To make sure what you deployed is safe and secure. 

In this guide, we break down:

• What DAST is 
• Why it matters in 2025, and 
• How to choose the right DAST tool for your team, whether you're a solo dev or an enterprise security lead.

To make things easier for you, you don’t need to go deep on all 15+ tools. If you're here with a specific use case in mind — say you're looking for the best DAST for developers, startups, or API Security — feel free to jump straight to the sublists tailored for your scenario.

• Best 5 DAST Tools for Developers: Aikido Security & Burp Suite
• Best 6 DAST Tools for Enterprise: Invicti & Aikido Security
• Best 4 DAST Tools for Startups: Aikido Security & OWASP ZAP
• Best 4 Free DAST Tools: Wapiti & Arichni
• Best 4 Open Source DAST Tools: OWASP ZAP & Nikto
• Best 6 DAST Tools for DevSecOps: Aikido Security & Invicti
• Best 6 DAST Tools for API Security: Qualys & Aikido Security
• Best 6 DAST Tools for Web Applications: Aikido Security & Burp Suite
• Best 6 DAST Tools for REST APIs: Tenable & Wapiti
• Best 6 DAST Tools for Mobile Apps: OWASP ZAP & HCL Appscan

That said, we recommend checking out the full tool breakdown further down. Even a quick skim of the main list might surface a tool you hadn’t considered, or help you understand why some options consistently rank high across categories.

TL;DR:

Aikido emerges as the top DAST pick by bundling a powerful DAST scanner with SAST, API security, and more in one platform. Its “Surface Monitoring” DAST attacks your app like a hacker but with far fewer false positives thanks to built-in verification and filtering. 

Developers get one-click fixes for findings and CI/CD integration out of the box, and technical managers appreciate Aikido’s transparent flat-rate pricing (plus a free tier) compared to legacy DAST tools’ surprises.

What is DAST?

Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) is a security testing method that evaluates a running application from the outside-in, similar to how an attacker would. A DAST tool interacts with a web application through its frontend (HTTP requests, web interfaces, APIs) without needing access to the source code. 

DAST’s “black-box” approach involves simulating malicious inputs and analyzing the application’s responses to identify vulnerabilities like SQL injection, Cross-Site Scripting (XSS), authentication flaws, misconfigurations, and other runtime issues. In essence, DAST behaves like an automated hacker probing your application’s defenses.

DAST solutions are distinct from static analysis tools (SAST) because they test the running application in a realistic environment. Where SAST scans source code for bugs, DAST actually launches attacks on a deployed app to see if those vulnerabilities can be exploited in real time.

DAST is often used in late-stage testing (QA, staging, or even production with caution) as a final check to catch anything missed earlier.

In 2025, DAST remains crucial because modern web applications are increasingly complex (single-page apps, microservices, APIs, etc.). DAST tools have evolved to handle these challenges including:

• crawling rich interfaces, 
• following redirects, 
• handling authentication flows, and 
• testing REST/GraphQL APIs, 

All without needing to see the app’s internals. 

Many organizations adopt a combined SAST & DAST strategy for comprehensive coverage across the software development lifecycle. For a deeper comparison, see our guide on using SAST & DAST together.

Why You Need DAST Tools

Before we dive into the tools themselves, as mentioned earlier, what’s the point of adding yet another scanner to your stack?

Well, the foundation is that web application security is a moving target. With applications changing so fast, and attackers constantly discovering new ways to exploit them. 

Using DAST tools is a must in 2025 because you get:

• Real-World Coverage: DAST tools find vulnerabilities from an outsider’s perspective, showing you exactly what an attacker could exploit in a running app. They can uncover issues in the environment (server configs, third-party components, APIs) that static code checks might miss.
  
  
• Language & Platform Agnostic: Because DAST interacts with the app via HTTP and the UI, it doesn’t matter what language or framework the app is written in. One DAST scanner can test Java, Python, Node, or any web platform which is ideal for polyglot environments.
  
  
• Finds Critical Runtime Bugs: DAST excels at catching problems like misconfigured servers, broken authentication flows, insecure cookies, and other deployment issues that only appear when the app is live. These are often high-impact vulnerabilities that slip through code reviews.
  
  
• Low False Positives (in many cases): Modern DAST solutions use techniques like attack verification (e.g. proof-of-exploit) to confirm vulnerabilities and reduce noise. Unlike SAST, which might flag theoretical problems, DAST typically shows concrete evidence (like “Session cookie is not secured”), making it easier for developers to trust the results.

• Compliance and Peace of Mind: Many security standards and regulations (PCI DSS, OWASP Top 10, etc.) recommend or require dynamic testing of web apps. Using a DAST tool helps check those boxes by producing reports that auditors understand (e.g. OWASP Top 10 issue coverage) and ensures you haven’t left gaping holes in your application before go-live.

In short, DAST adds an essential layer of security by attacking your app the way real threats would, so you can fix weaknesses before bad actors exploit them.

How to Choose a DAST Tool

Not all DAST scanners are created equal. When evaluating Dynamic Application Security Testing tools, consider the following criteria to find the best fit:

• Coverage of Technologies: Ensure the tool can handle the tech stack of your apps. Does it support modern JavaScript-heavy frontends (Single Page Applications), mobile backends, and APIs (REST, SOAP, GraphQL)? Tools like HCL AppScan and Invicti support a wide range of app types.
  
  
• Accuracy and Depth: Look for high vulnerability detection rates with minimal false positives. Features like confirmation scans or proof-of-concept generation (for example, Aikido and Invicti’s proof-based scanning) are valuable to automatically validate findings. You want a tool that uncovers critical issues but doesn’t overwhelm you with noise.
  
  
• Ease of Use & Integration: A good DAST fits into your workflow. Consider tools that offer easy setup (cloud-based or managed options), CI/CD integration for DevSecOps (Aikido, StackHawk, etc.), and integrations with issue trackers (Jira, GitHub) or workflows. If your developers can trigger scans from pipelines and get results in their tools, adoption will be smoother.
  
  
• Authentication & Complexity Handling: Many apps aren’t fully public, so it's important to check that your DAST supports authenticated scanning (logging in with a user account/session) and can handle things like multi-step forms or complex flows. Enterprise-grade scanners like Burp Suite, AppScan, and others allow recording login sequences or authentication scripts.

• Reporting and Dev Feedback: The output should be developer-friendly. Look for clear vulnerability descriptions, remediation guidance, and compliance reporting if needed (e.g., reports mapped to OWASP Top 10, PCI, etc.). Some platforms (like Aikido’s DAST) even provide automatic fix suggestions or code patches to accelerate remediation.

• Scalability and Performance: If you need to scan dozens or hundreds of apps, consider how the tool scales. Cloud-based DAST services (Qualys WAS, Rapid7 InsightAppSec, Tenable.io, etc.) can run scans in parallel and manage scheduling. Also evaluate scan speed because some tools offer incremental scanning or optimization for faster re-tests.

• Support & Maintenance: Finally, a tool is only as good as its latest update. Evaluate how frequently the vendor updates the scanner’s vulnerability checks. 

An active community or vendor support is crucial, especially for open-source options. An outdated DAST (or one with no support) may miss new threats or break on modern apps.

Keep these criteria in mind as you review the landscape of DAST solutions. Now, let’s dive into the top tools available in 2025 and see how they stack up.

Top 12 DAST Tools for 2025

In this section, we list the best 12 Dynamic Application Security Testing tools of 2025. These include a mix of commercial and open-source options, each with unique strengths. 

For each tool, we share its key features, ideal use cases, pricing info, and even some user review snippets. 

Whether you’re a developer at a startup or a security lead at an enterprise, you’ll find a DAST solution that fits your needs.

Before we dive into the list, here's a comparison of the top 5 overall DAST tools based on features like API scanning, CI/CD integration, and accuracy. 

These tools are best-in-class across a range of needs from developers to enterprise teams.

1. Acunetix by Invicti

Acunetix by Invicti is a DAST-focused web vulnerability scanner tailored for small and mid-sized organizations. It delivers automated scanning of websites and APIs, with an emphasis on quick deployment. Acunetix originated as a standalone product and is now part of Invicti Security’s product family (complementing the enterprise-grade Invicti scanner). It provides an entry point for teams starting their application security program.

Key features:

• Vulnerability Coverage: Scans for 7,000+ known web vulnerabilities, including all OWASP Top 10 issues, with checks for SQLi, XSS, misconfigurations, weak passwords, and more.
• Proof-Based Scanning: Uses Invicti’s proprietary proof-of-exploit technology to automatically verify many findings, reducing false positives. For example, it can safely confirm SQL injections by demonstrating a sample data extract.
  
  
• API and SPA Scanning: Acunetix can handle modern apps. It can crawl HTML5 single-page applications and test REST and GraphQL APIs. It also supports importing Swagger/OpenAPI definitions to ensure complete API coverage.
  
  
• Integrations and CI/CD: Offers built-in integrations with issue trackers (like Jira) and CI/CD pipelines (Jenkins, GitLab CI, etc.) to enable automation in DevSecOps. Scans can be triggered on new builds, and results exported as developer tickets for quick fix loops.
  
  
• Compliance & Reporting: Provides ready-made compliance reports for standards like OWASP Top 10, PCI DSS, HIPAA, ISO 27001, and more – useful for audits and demonstrating security testing to stakeholders.

Review highlight: “Acunetix has a user-friendly UI, is easy to configure and run, and produces reliable results. The licensing model is not as granular as it could be which means that planning is needed for scaling up or down.” (Source: G2)

2. Aikido Security

Aikido Security’sDAST (called Surface Monitoring) simulates black-box attacks on your web app to find vulnerabilities in real time. 

What sets Aikido apart is  that as well as front-end and hosted app surface monitoring, it offers authenticated DAST to dynamically test your web app behind authentication. In addition, its modular approach is unique as it brings together DAST, SAST, API security scanning, cloud configuration checks, and more in one interface, providing a seamless experience for developers and security teams alike. The platform is cloud-based, with a generous free tier, making enterprise-grade security accessible to startups and large companies alike.

Key features:

• Unified SAST + DAST: Aikido combines static and dynamic testing – you can catch issues early with SAST and verify them in running apps with DAST. All results funnel into one dashboard for holistic AppSec visibility (SAST & DAST together use-case).
  
  
• Front-end and hosted monitoring: Dynamically test your web app's front-end and hosted app surfaces to find vulnerabilities via ZAP or Nuclei.
  
  
• Authenticated DAST: Aikido differentiates from other SAST+DAST providers by being able to dynamically test your web app behind authentication to uncover vulnerabilities with simulated attacks. It's an automated grey box pentest.
  
  
• Developer-Friendly Workflow: Designed to be “no-nonsense security for developers.” Aikido integrates with dev tools (IDEs, CI/CD pipelines, GitHub/GitLab, Slack alerts). Developers get immediate feedback – e.g., DAST findings can appear as pull request comments or pipeline results, with links to fix suggestions. One user said, “With Aikido, security is just part of the way we work now. It’s fast, integrated, and actually helpful for developers.”

• Automated API Discovery & Scanning: The DAST engine includes automated discovery of API endpoints (REST and GraphQL) and scans them for vulnerabilities. This is crucial as APIs often accompany modern web apps. Aikido can log in and test authenticated areas too, increasing coverage of your app’s attack surface.
  
  
• AI-Powered Autofix: A standout feature. Aikido’s platform can generate one-click fixes for certain findings using AI. For example, if the DAST finds a reflected XSS, the platform might suggest a code patch or config change. This turns security findings into actionable tasks developers can solve in seconds.

• Scalability and Cloud Integration: Being a cloud service, Aikido scales to scan many applications continuously. It’s suitable for enterprise scale (role-based access, team dashboards for Enterprise use, etc.) but also very accessible for lean teams. The platform can run in your CI, or you can trigger on-demand scans via a simple web UI or API.

Review highlight: “With Aikido, we can fix an issue in just 30 seconds – click a button, merge the PR, and it’s done.” (User feedback on auto-remediation)

Protect Your Apps & APIs

Surface & Auth DAST

Start for Free

No CC required

3. Burp Suite

Burp Suite by PortSwigger is a legendary tool in the web security world. It’s an integrated platform that supports both manual and automated web application security testing. 

Burp Suite is widely used by penetration testers, bug bounty hunters, and security professionals. It operates as an intercepting proxy (allowing you to modify traffic) and includes an automated scanner (Burp Scanner) for DAST. The suite’s modular tools (Proxy, Scanner, Intruder, Repeater, etc.) provide a comprehensive hacking toolkit. 

Key features:

• Intercepting Proxy: At Burp’s core is a proxy that intercepts HTTP/S requests and responses. This allows testers to inspect and modify traffic on the fly. It’s invaluable for manual testing as you can manipulate parameters, headers, etc., and then send requests to other Burp tools for further testing.
  
  
• Automated Scanner: Burp’s DAST scanner can automatically crawl an application and probe for vulnerabilities. It recognizes over 300 vulnerability types out-of-the-box, including SQLi, XSS, CSRF, command injection, and others. With 2500+ test cases and patterns, it’s quite thorough. The scanner’s findings include evidence and remediation guidance.
• Extensibility (BApp Store): Burp has an extensive plugin ecosystem. The BApp Store offers community-developed extensions that add features from vulnerability checks to integration with other tools. This means you can extend Burp to scan for emerging threats or integrate with development pipelines (there’s even a Burp CI plugin, and Burp Enterprise is a separate product for automation).
  
  
• Manual Testing Tools: Beyond scanning, Burp Suite shines with tools like Intruder (for automated fuzzing/brute force), Repeater (for crafting and replaying individual requests), Sequencer (for token analysis), and Decoder/Comparer. These allow skilled testers to dig deep into specific issues that automated scanning flags.
  
  
• CI/CD Integration: For DevSecOps, PortSwigger offers Burp Suite Enterprise (a separate edition) which is designed to run scans in CI and at scale. But even Burp Pro can be used in scripts via the command-line or API. This enables teams to include Burp scans as part of their pipeline (often for critical apps or to double-check other scanners).

Review highlight: “One of the best proxy tools for bug bounty hunters and penetration testers. Nothing can be disliked; every professional loves it.” (G2 review)

4. HCL AppScan Standard

HCL AppScan Standard (formerly IBM AppScan) is a desktop-based DAST tool for enterprise users. It provides a rich set of features for scanning web applications, web services, and even some mobile app backends for security vulnerabilities. 

AppScan Standard is part of the broader HCL AppScan portfolio (which also includes AppScan Enterprise, AppScan on Cloud, SAST tools, etc.). It’s known for its scanning capabilities and is often used by security auditors and QA teams in large organizations.

Key features:

• Scanning Engine: AppScan Standard employs advanced crawling and testing algorithms to maximize coverage of complex apps. Its “Action-Based” scanning can handle single-page applications and rich client-side code. It also has tens of thousands of built-in test cases covering everything from SQLi, XSS to logic flaws. It’s designed to tackle complex web apps with login sequences, multi-step workflows, and more.
  
  
• API and Mobile Backend Testing: Beyond traditional web apps, it can test web APIs (SOAP, REST) and mobile backends. You can feed it API definitions or record mobile traffic to audit the endpoints. This makes AppScan useful for companies with mobile apps that communicate with JSON/REST services.
  
  
• Incremental & Optimized Scans: For efficiency, AppScan allows incremental scanning which means re-testing only the new or changed parts of an application. This saves time in regression testing. You can also tweak the scan speed vs. coverage settings to suit quick dev scans or in-depth audits.
  
  
• Reporting and Compliance: AppScan Standard has robust reporting features. It can generate a variety of reports, including developer-focused ones with “fix” recommendations and executive summaries. Notably, it offers compliance and industry-standard reports (PCI, HIPAA, OWASP Top 10, DISA STIGs, etc.), making it easier to demonstrate adherence to security requirements.
  
  
• Enterprise Integration: While AppScan Standard is a standalone client, it can integrate with AppScan Enterprise (for scaling scans across a team) and with CI/CD pipelines via command-line execution or APIs. HCL also provides plugins for tools like Jenkins. Additionally, it supports authenticated scanning with various mechanisms (Basic, NTLM, form auth, etc.) and can work behind the corporate firewall easily since you run it on-prem.

Review context: AppScan’s longevity in the market (since IBM days) means it’s tried-and-tested. Users often praise its depth but note the UI and setup can be complex. 

If you invest time, it will reliably find vulnerabilities and produce the reports you need to satisfy auditors.

5. Micro Focus Fortify WebInspect

Micro Focus Fortify WebInspect (now under OpenText, which acquired Micro Focus) is an enterprise-grade DAST tool known for its use in deep security assessments and integration with the Fortify suite. WebInspect provides automated dynamic scanning for web applications and services, and it’s often used alongside Fortify’s static analysis (SAST) tools to cover both angles. This tool has a long history in AppSec and is favored by organizations that require on-premises scanning and integration with broader vulnerability management programs.

Key features:

• Thorough Automated Scanning: WebInspect conducts rigorous scans that can identify a wide range of vulnerabilities in web apps and APIs. It includes checks for OWASP Top 10, business logic flaws, and server configuration issues. The scanner uses a mix of signature and heuristic approaches to uncover known CVEs as well as zero-day issues (like unusual input handling edge cases).
  
  
• JavaScript and Client-side Analysis: In recent versions, Fortify WebInspect has improved at parsing and analyzing client-side code. It can execute JavaScript, handle AJAX-heavy applications, and even capture web socket communication during scans (as of its 2024 updates). This means SPAs and modern web frameworks can be audited more effectively.
  
  
• Enterprise Workflow Integration: WebInspect integrates with the Fortify ecosystem. For example, results can flow into Fortify Software Security Center (SSC) for central management, correlation with SAST results, and developer assignment. It also has APIs and support for automation, so it can plug into CI pipelines or security orchestration systems. Many large orgs use it in scheduled scan workflows for continuous monitoring.
  
  
• Authenticated and Stateful Scans: The tool supports a variety of authentication methods (including multi-factor techniques, login macros, and OAuth/token-based auth). It can maintain state during scanning, which is crucial for applications that require login and have complex user flows. WebInspect also allows macro recording to traverse specific sequences (like adding items to a cart, then checking out) ensuring those areas get tested.
  
  
• Reporting & Compliance: Fortify WebInspect provides detailed technical findings for developers and summary reports for management. It aligns findings with standards and includes compliance reporting. Because it’s often used in regulated industries, it offers reports to satisfy PCI DSS, DISA STIG, OWASP, and other guidelines out-of-the-box.

Note: After OpenText’s acquisition, Fortify WebInspect is now under the OpenText Cybersecurity portfolio. It’s sometimes just referred to as “OpenText Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST)”. The core product is the same, continuing the tradition of WebInspect. Users have noted that WebInspect can be resource-intensive and may require tuning to avoid overwhelming some apps, but it’s very effective at uncovering complex issues.

6. Invicti

Netsparker (now known as Invicti) is a leading automated web application security scanner for enterprise environments. Netsparker was rebranded to Invicti in recent years after Invicti Security unified the Netsparker and Acunetix products under one roof. Invicti (Netsparker) uses Proof-Based Scanning in its aim to eliminate false positives by actually confirming vulnerabilities. It also brings in some interactive testing elements for deeper analysis.

Key features:

• Proof-Based Scanning: Invicti automatically attempts to confirm vulnerabilities by exploiting them in a safe manner. For example, if it finds an SQL injection, it will perform a benign payload that extracts a sample of data to prove the issue. The aim is to spend less time manually verifying findings.
  
  
• Broad Technology Support: Invicti can scan traditional web apps, SPAs with heavy JavaScript, and all kinds of APIs (REST, SOAP, GraphQL, gRPC). It effectively handles modern frameworks and includes support for scanning enterprise technologies (it can navigate through custom  authentication, handle OAuth tokens, etc.). It also has the ability to test JSON request bodies and SOAP envelopes for injection flaws.
  
  
• IAST Hybrid Capabilities: Invicti combines DAST with some IAST (Interactive Application Security Testing) via its Agent technology. If you can deploy a lightweight agent alongside your app, the scanner can instrument the app during runtime to get extra insight (like confirming the exact line of code for a vulnerability). This hybrid approach can increase coverage and detail without requiring full source code access.
  
  
• CI/CD and Integration: Invicti provides plugins for CI pipelines (Jenkins, Azure DevOps, GitLab CI, etc.), integration with project management and ticketing (Jira, Azure Boards), and linking with WAFs for instant virtual patching. This makes it suitable for DevSecOps workflows where continuous scanning is needed.
  
  
• Scalability & Management: The platform can scale to scan thousands of applications with scheduling, prioritization, and role-based access control for team collaboration. Invicti also offers a multi-tenant dashboard and asset discovery features (it can discover new web apps in your environment to ensure they get scanned). It’s often used as the backbone for enterprise vulnerability management of web apps.

Review highlight: “Invicti, which is Netsparker, provided me with a major vulnerability database to find remote execution vulnerabilities, domain invalidation, and many vulnerability patches... Recurrent scanning allows me to fetch files at an integrity level.” (G2 review). 

In plain terms: users appreciate the depth of vulnerability coverage and the ability to schedule repeat scans to catch regressions. Some note that Invicti’s breadth of tests (1400+ unique tests) is huge, though certain advanced features might require fine-tuning.

7. Nikto

Nikto is a classic open-source web server scanner. It’s a simple yet effective tool that performs comprehensive checks for thousands of potential issues on web servers. Nikto is a Perl-based, command-line tool maintained by CIRT.net, and it’s been a staple in the security toolbox for years. While Nikto lacks the polished interface or the complex logic of modern scanners, it’s very useful for quickly identifying known vulnerabilities and insecure configurations.

Key features:

• Large Database of Checks: Nikto can test for over 7,000 potentially dangerous files/CGIs and configurations on a web server. This includes checks for default files (like admin pages, install scripts), sample applications, configuration backups (*.old, *.bak files), and other artifacts that attackers commonly look for. It also detects outdated versions of over 1,250 servers and software components, along with version-specific issues for 270+ server products.
  
  
• Server Configuration Checks: Nikto doesn’t just look for web app vulns; it examines server info. For example, it will report if directory indexing is enabled, if HTTP methods like PUT or DELETE are allowed (which might allow file upload hacking), or if certain unsafe HTTP headers are present/missing. It’s a great quick audit of web server hardening.
  
  
• Fast and No-Frills: Nikto is not stealthy – it’s designed to run as fast as possible and will be noisy in logs. This is fine for authorized scanning. It’s command-line driven, so you can feed it a list of hosts or use it in scripts easily. Running nikto -h <hostname> will output a list of identified issues in plain text.
  
  
• Output Options: It can save results in multiple formats (plain text, XML, HTML, NBE, CSV, JSON) which is useful if you want to feed the output into other tools or reporting systems. Many people use Nikto as part of a larger toolkit, parsing its results to flag certain findings.
  
  
• Extensibility: Although not as modular as some, you can customize Nikto’s behavior. It supports plugins (its check database is essentially a set of plugins). You can update its signatures, and it’s frequently updated by the community with new checks. Also, it supports LibWhisker’s anti-IDS techniques if you attempt stealth (though by default it’s loud).

Pro tip: Because Nikto is passive in terms of logic (no login, no heavy crawling), it’s very fast. You might integrate Nikto into a CI pipeline for a quick sweep of every build (to ensure, say, no debug endpoints accidentally got deployed). While it may report some “info” level findings that aren’t true vulns, it provides peace of mind that you haven’t left something obvious out there.

8. OWASP ZAP

OWASP ZAP (Zed Attack Proxy) is a free and open-source DAST tool maintained by OWASP project leaders. It’s one of the most popular DAST tools due to its cost (free), open community, and rich functionality. ZAP is both a proxy for manual testing and an automated scanner. It’s often considered the open-source alternative to Burp Suite for those on a budget, and it’s a fantastic option for developers and small companies to start security testing without procurement hurdles.

Key features:

• Active and Passive Scanning: ZAP performs passive scanning by observing traffic that passes through it (via its proxy or spider addon) and flagging issues, and active scanning where it actively injects attacks once it discovers pages. Passive mode is great for a gentle start (it won’t modify anything, just watch for things like information leakage or security headers), whereas active scan will find the real bugs (SQLi, XSS, etc.) by attacking the app.
  
  
• Proxy and Manual Testing Tools: Like Burp, ZAP can function as an intercepting proxy. It also has a bunch of tools: an HTTP intercepting proxy, a spider addon to crawl content, a fuzzer for attacking inputs, and a scripting console (with support for writing scripts in Python, Ruby, etc. to extend ZAP). The Heads-Up Display (HUD) mode even lets you overlay scanning info on top of your browser as you navigate – very useful for developers learning security.
  
  
• Automation & API: ZAP was built with automation in mind for QA integration. It has a powerful API (REST and a Java API) that allows you to control all aspects of ZAP. Many teams use the ZAP API in CI pipelines. For example, starting ZAP in daemon mode, spidering a target, running an active scan, then pulling the results – all automated. There are even ready-made GitHub actions and Jenkins plugins for ZAP. This makes it a good fit for DevSecOps on a shoestring budget.
  
  
• Extensibility via Add-ons: As highlighted earlier, ZAP has an add-on marketplace (the ZAP Marketplace) where you can install official and community add-ons. These include specialized scan rules (for JSON, XML, SOAP, WebSockets, etc.), integrations, or convenience features. The community constantly updates scan rules, including alpha/beta rules for emerging vulnerability types. This keeps ZAP’s scanning capabilities evolving.
  
  
• Community and Support: Being part of OWASP, it has a strong user community. Plenty of documentation, free training videos, and active forums exist. While you don’t get commercial support (unless using third-party consultants), the knowledge out there often rivals vendor support. ZAP is also updated regularly by its project leads and contributors.

Review highlight: “The OWASP tool is free of cost, which gives it a great advantage, especially for smaller companies to make use of the tool.” peerspot.com. This sentiment is common – ZAP lowers the barrier to entry for web security. 

It may not have out-of-the-box premium features like some commercial scanners, but for many use cases, it gets the job done effectively.

9. Qualys Web Application Scanner (WAS)

Qualys Web Application Scanning (WAS) is a cloud-based DAST offering from Qualys, integrated into their QualysGuard Security and Compliance Suite. Qualys WAS leverages the Qualys cloud platform to provide an on-demand scanning service for web apps and APIs. It’s particularly attractive to companies already using Qualys for network vulnerability scanning or compliance, as it extends that single-pane-of-glass to web applications. Qualys WAS is known for its scalability (scanning thousands of sites) and its ease of use via a SaaS model.

Key features:

• Cloud-Based & Scalable: Qualys WAS is delivered as a serviceyou runfrom the QualysCloud against your targets (with the option of using distributed scanning appliances for internal apps). This means no maintenance overhead for the tool itself and the ability to run many scans in parallel. The platform has discovered and scanned over 370k web apps & APIs, showing its widespread usage.
  
  
• Broad Vulnerability Coverage: It detects vulnerabilities including OWASP Top 10 (SQLi, XSS, CSRF, etc.), misconfigurations, sensitive data exposure (e.g., credit card numbers in pages), and even malware infection on websites. It also checks for things like inadvertent exposure of PII (personal identifiable information) or secrets in web pages. Qualys uses some AI/ML (machine learning) in its scanning to improve detection of complex issues and reduce false positives (according to their marketing).
  
  
• API Security Testing: Qualys WAS covers the OWASP API Top 10 as well. It can import OpenAPI/Swagger files or Postman collections and test REST APIs thoroughly. It monitors for “drift” from API specs, meaning if your implementation doesn’t match the Swagger file (which could indicate undocumented endpoints), Qualys can flag it. This is great for managing API security.
  
  
• Integration & DevOps: Qualys provides an extensive API for all its products, including WAS. You can automate scans, pull reports, and even integrate results into defect trackers. They also have a Chrome plug-in (Qualys Browser Recorder) to record authentication sequences or user workflows which can be uploaded to Qualys WAS for scanning those parts of an app that require login. Furthermore, Qualys WAS results can feed into their WAF (if you use Qualys WAF) for quick virtual patching.
  
  
• Compliance and Reporting: Since Qualys is big on compliance, WAS is able to generate needed reports to meet PCI DSS 6.6 (web app vuln scanning requirement) and other policies. All findings are consolidated in the Qualys interface, which can be shared with other modules like their vulnerability management or risk management tools. This unified reporting is a plus for management.

Industry note: Qualys WAS was a leader in the 2023 GigaOm Radar for Application Security Testing. Users cite its cloud convenience and the benefit of continuous monitoring. On the flip side, some find the UI a bit dated and initial setup (like authentication scripts) to have a learning curve. Still, it’s a very solid choice with Qualys’ backing.

10. Rapid7 InsightAppSec

Rapid7 InsightAppSec is a cloud-powered DAST solution that is part of Rapid7’s Insight platform. InsightAppSec focuses on ease of use and integration, making dynamic testing accessible to both security teams and developers. It leverages the expertise Rapid7 has (from products like Metasploit and their vulnerability management tools) to provide a scanner that can handle modern web apps, including single-page applications and APIs. As a cloud service, it eliminates the need to manage scanner infrastructure.

Key features:

• Modern Web App Coverage: InsightAppSec can test traditional web apps as well as SPAs built on frameworks like React or Angular. It has the ability to execute JavaScript and crawl dynamically generated content. It also handles HTML5 and newer web patterns. Rapid7 emphasizes that it can secure everything from legacy HTML forms to modern client-side apps.
  
  
• 95+ Attack Types: The scanner includes over 95 attack types in its repertoire, covering common and complex vectors. This includes the usual suspects (SQLi, XSS) and also things like CRLF injection, SSRF, and other less common web flaws. It prioritizes findings based on risk to help you focus on what matters.
  
  
• Simplified UX: InsightAppSec is designed with a friendly UI. Setting up a scan is straightforward – provide a URL, optional login info, and go. The interface guides less experienced users through configuration. Once scans are done, the findings are explained with remediation advice and developer-friendly insights. It also has features like attack replay (to verify a finding by replaying the specific request that exposed it).
  
  
• Parallel Scanning & No Downtime: Because it’s cloud-based, you can run multiple scans simultaneously without worrying about local resources. This is great for scanning multiple apps or multi-tasking (Rapid7 notes you can scan many targets with no downtime on their side). This scalability is useful for agencies or large orgs scanning many web apps.
  
  
• Integration & Ecosystem: InsightAppSec integrates with the broader Rapid7 Insight platform. For example, you can send vulnerabilities to InsightVM (their vuln management) or generate tickets in Jira. It also can integrate into CI pipelines and has an API for automation. Furthermore, if you use Rapid7 InsightConnect (SOAR), you can automate DAST actions (like trigger a scan when a new app is deployed, etc.).

Review highlight: “We’ve used Rapid7 for our vulnerability testing and...They have proved invaluable in providing a complete and effective solution.”. 

Users often laud Rapid7’s support and the platform’s overall polish. One potential con mentioned is that sometimes fixing bugs in the product can be slow, but new features and improvements do roll out regularly.

11. Tenable.io Web App Scanning

Tenable.io Web App Scanning is Tenable’s dedicated DAST offering within its Tenable.io cloud platform. Tenable positions itself as an easy-to-use yet comprehensive scanner, often appealing to customers already using Tenable.io for vulnerability management.

Key features:

• Unified Platform: Tenable.io WAS lives alongside Tenable’s other services (like Tenable.io Vulnerability Management, Container Security, etc.) so all results are accessible in one dashboard. For security teams, this “single pane of glass” for infrastructure and web vulnerabilities is convenient. You can see your web app vulns in context with network vulns, track asset risk scores, and manage it all together.
  
  
• Ease of Deployment: As a SaaS product, you can start a scan with a few clicks. You can scan external web apps out-of-the-box. For internal apps, you can deploy a Tenable scanner appliance that will conduct the scan and report back to the cloud. The setup is straightforward, and Tenable provides templates for quick scans vs. deep scans.
  
  
• Automated Crawl & Audit: The scanner automatically crawls the application to build a site map and then audits each page/form it finds. It tests common injection points and vulnerabilities. Tenable has been improving the scan engine to handle modern web apps (like processing JS). While not as hyped in marketing as some competitors, in practice it does cover most standard vulns and has specific checks for things like DOM XSS and JSON-based attacks.
  
  
• Fast Results & Incremental Scans: Tenable.io WAS emphasizes quick value. It can deliver actionable results in minutes for common issues. It’s also designed for continuous scanning. whichis useful for agile development environments with frequent releases.
  
  
• Integration and DevOps: Tenable.io has an API, so you can trigger web app scans programmatically or integrate with CI/CD. There are also integrations to push findings into ticketing systems. If using Infrastructure as Code, you could even spin up a test environment, scan it with Tenable.io WAS via API, and then destroy it.
   
• Complementary to Nessus: Tenable often suggests using Nessus and WAS together – Nessus for network and basic web checks, and WAS for deeper web app testing. If you already manage Nessus scans in Tenable.io, adding WAS is seamless. The dashboards can show combined risk scores, etc. Tenable’s analytics (with Tenable Lumin) can then prioritize issues across all asset types consistently.

Note: Tenable has been investing in WAS to keep up with competitors; in 2024 they added support for things like recording login sequences more easily and improved scanning of single-page apps. 

Users comment that it’s “simple, scalable, and automated” – aligning with Tenable’s messaging of providing comprehensive DAST without much hassle. It’s a good “all-rounder” tool.

12. Wapiti

Wapiti is a free and open-source web vulnerability scanner written in Python. The name Wapiti comes from a Native American word for elk – fitting, as it’s agile and powerful in its domain. Wapiti works as a “black-box” scanner: it doesn’t need source code; it just fuzzes your web application through HTTP requests, much like a typical DAST. It’s a command-line tool that is especially popular among open-source enthusiasts and is known for being actively maintained (with recent updates adding new vulnerability modules).

Key features:

• Black-Box Fuzzing Approach: Wapiti crawls the target web application to find URLs, forms, and inputs, then launches attacks by injecting payloads to test for vulnerabilities. It covers a wide array of injection flaws: SQL injection (error, boolean, time-based), XPath injection, cross-site scripting (reflected and stored), file inclusion (local and remote), OS command injection, XML External Entity (XXE) attacks, and more. Essentially, if there’s an input field, Wapiti will try to break it.
  
  
• Modules for Various Vulnerabilities: As listed on its site, Wapiti’s modules handle everything from classic web vulns to checks like CRLF injection, open redirects, SSRF via external service (it can test if SSRF is possible by using an external Wapiti website as a catcher), detection of HTTP PUT (to see if WebDAV is enabled), and even checks for vulnerabilities like Shellshock in CGI scripts. This breadth is impressive for a free tool.
  
  
• Authentication and Scoping: Wapiti supports authenticated scanning via several methods: Basic, Digest, NTLM, and form-based auth (you can provide it credentials or a cookie). It also allows restricting scope. For example, you can tell it to stay within a certain domain or folder, which is useful to avoid attacking third-party links or subdomains you don’t own. You can also exclude specific URLs if needed.
  
  
• Report Generation: It outputs results in multiple formats (HTML, XML, JSON, TXT, etc.). The HTML report is handy for a quick look, while JSON is useful if you want to programmatically analyze or merge results. The reports list each vulnerability found with details like the HTTP request that was used to exploit it, which is great for developers to reproduce and fix.
  
  
• Ease of Use and Maintenance: Wapiti is easy to install (available via pip) and run (wapiti -u <url> starts a scan). It’s quite fast and you can adjust the number of concurrent requests. Importantly, Wapiti is actively maintained – the latest release (as of mid-2024) added new features and vulnerabilities. The project maintainers keep it up-to-date as new exploits (like recent CVEs) arise, which addresses a common issue where open-source scanners fall behind. It being Python means it’s also easy to tweak if you’re so inclined.

Community love: Wapiti might not be as famous as ZAP, but users who discover it often praise its effectiveness. It’s like a hidden gem for automated fuzzing of web apps. 

Because it doesn’t come with a GUI, it’s less intimidating to integrate for those comfortable with CLI. Also, its updates (like adding Log4Shell detection in late 2021) show that it adapts to significant security events. If you’re assembling an open-source AppSec toolkit, Wapiti + ZAP together covers a lot of ground.

Best 5 DAST Tools for Developers

Most developers don’t wake up excited to run security scans. If you’re a developer reading this now, you know this to be true. You’re here to ship features, not wrestle with tools that flood you with false positives.

 That’s why the best DAST tools for devs look different from the “enterprise” ones..

When choosing a DAST tool as a developer, consider:

• Integration with CI/CD and IDEs: Does the tool plug into your build pipeline or provide an IDE plugin? Automated security tests in CI help catch issues before merge. Some platforms (like Aikido’s CI/CD security) make this seamless.
  
  
• Low False Positives & Noise: Developers don’t have time to chase ghosts. Tools that validate findings (e.g. Invicti) or have high accuracy are preferred so that when a bug is flagged, it’s worth fixing.
  
  
• Actionable Output: Look for scanners that offer clear remediation advice or even code examples to fix the issue. Better yet, some dev-focused tools provide automated fixes or pull requests (Aikido’s AI Autofix, for example, can generate patches for certain issues).
  
  
• Speed and On-Demand Scans: In a dev environment, faster scans enable quick feedback. Tools that can scan incremental changes or specific URLs (instead of the whole app every time) help integrate into the iterative dev cycle.
  
  
• Cost (for individuals or small teams): Free or affordable options are attractive, especially in organizations without a dedicated security budget. Open-source tools or services with free tiers fit well here.

The following are the top 5 best DAST tools for developers:

1. Aikido Security – Dev-Friendly All-in-One 
2. OWASP ZAP – Open Source and Scriptable
3. Burp Suite (Community/Pro) – Manual Testing Adjunct
4. StackHawk – CI/CD Integrated DAST (Honorable mention)
5. Wapiti – Quick CLI checks

Why these: These tools emphasize easy integration, immediacy of results, and affordability. They allow developers to “shift left” on security – identifying and fixing vulnerabilities during development, long before the code hits production.

Using them, developers can iteratively improve security just as they do code quality with unit tests. The learning gained from interacting with these tools (especially interactive ones like ZAP or Burp) also upskills developers in the security mindset, which is a hidden but valuable benefit.

The table below compares DAST tools best suited for developers who need fast feedback, easy CI/CD integration, and low-noise reports.

Best 6 DAST Tools for Enterprise

Enterprises don’t just have “a few apps.” They have hundreds, sometimes thousands, with each one a potential entry point if it’s left unchecked. That kind of scale changes the game.

The right DAST tool isn’t just about finding vulnerabilities. It’s about managing them across a sprawling portfolio. That means role-based access for different teams, compliance-ready reports for auditors, and integrations into the systems you already live in — ticketing, governance, and workflow automation. 

The following are considerations for enterprise DAST tools:

• Scalability & Management: The tool should handle scanning many applications (possibly concurrently), with central management of scan schedules, results, and user permissions. Enterprise consoles or multi-user environments are important (e.g., HCL AppScan Enterprise or Invicti platform).
  
  
• Enterprise Integrations: Integration with systems like SIEMs, GRC platforms, defect trackers (Jira, ServiceNow), and identity management (SSO support) is often needed. Also, API access for custom integration into the enterprise’s DevSecOps toolchain.
  
  
• Compliance and Reporting: Enterprises often need to generate compliance documentation. Tools that can produce detailed reports for PCI, SOC2, ISO27001, etc., and track policy compliance over time add a lot of value. The ability to tag assets (by business unit, risk level, etc.) and get analytics (trends, SLAs on vuln remediation) is useful for management.
  
  
• Support and Training: Having a vendor that offers strong support (dedicated support engineers, professional services) and training is a factor. Enterprise tools come with SLAs for support issues. For open source tools, this is a gap, which is why large enterprises lean towards commercial options despite cost.
  
  
• Comprehensive Coverage: Enterprises can’t afford to miss things. The tool should ideally cover not just standard web vulns but also things like business logic testing, or provide ways to extend tests. Some enterprises use multiple DAST tools to cover gaps – but a single robust tool is preferred for efficiency.

‍

The following are the top 6 best DAST tools for enterprise:

1. Invicti (Netsparker) – Accuracy and Scale
2. HCL AppScan (Standard/Enterprise) – Enterprise Legacy Power
3. Micro Focus Fortify WebInspect – Deep Integration with SDLC
4. Qualys WAS – Cloud Scale and Asset Discovery
5. Tenable.io WAS – Unified Risk Management
6. Aikido Security – Enterprise DevSecOps Platform

‍

Why these: They meet enterprise requirements of scale, support, and integration. In large organizations, a DAST tool that can scan 500 apps and then generate an executive report showing “we reduced OWASP Top 10 vuln count by 20% this quarter” is gold. Tools like Invicti, Qualys, etc., provide those kinds of metrics and roll-ups. Also, enterprises often need to scan internal apps behind firewalls – tools with on-premise scanning engines (like Qualys scanners or on-site WebInspect installations) are necessary, which all above options provide.

Best 4 DAST Tools for Startups

Startups move fast. That’s the edge — but it’s also the risk. With small teams and tighter budgets, security often gets pushed down the list until a customer, investor, or compliance checklist forces the conversation.

The good news? You don’t need a 20-person AppSec team or enterprise-sized spend to build a solid security baseline.

Key needs for startups in a DAST tool:

• Affordability: Free or low-cost solutions, or tools with free tiers that cover small apps, are ideal. Startups might also consider open-source to avoid recurring costs.
  
  
• Simplicity: There may be no dedicated security engineer, so developers or DevOps will run the scans. The tool must be easy to set up (SaaS preferred to avoid infrastructure) and easy to interpret.
  
  
• Quick Wins: Startups benefit from tools that find the most critical issues quickly (e.g., common misconfigurations, glaring vulns) – essentially a sanity check. They might not need the most exhaustive scanner; something to catch the high-risk items is often enough early on.
  
  
• Integration with Dev Workflow: Startups often have modern, agile development. Tools that integrate with GitHub Actions or similar can help automate security without heavy process.
  
  
• Scalability (future-proofing): While not a top requirement, a tool that can grow with them (more apps, more scans) is a bonus, so they don’t have to switch tools as they scale. But early on, cost might override this.

The following are the top 4 best DAST tools for startups:

1. OWASP ZAP – Free and Reliable
2. Aikido Security – Free Tier & All-in-One
3. Acunetix (by Invicti) – SMB-Friendly Option
4. Burp Suite Community – Learning and Manual Poking

Why these: They either cost nothing or fit into a startup’s budget easily, and they don’t require a full-time specialist to operate. The goal for a startup is to avoid being the low-hanging fruit for attackers. Running these tools can catch the glaring issues (default credentials, open admin endpoints, SQL injections, etc.) and dramatically increase security posture with minimal investment. 

Additionally, showing that you use recognized tools like OWASP ZAPcan increase trust when that inevitable security questionnaire comes from a prospective customer.

Best 4 Free DAST Tools

Anyone looking to improve their web app security without spending money would gravitate towards these tools. This includes hobbyist developers, students, small organizations, or even larger companies experimenting before purchasing a solution. 

“Free” in this context can mean completely open-source or free-tier versions of commercial products.

Free DAST options typically have some limitations (either in features, support, or scan depth), but they offer incredible value for basic needs.

Criteria/characteristics for the best free tools:

• No Cost, No Strings: Truly free to use (not just a short trial). Ideally open-source or community-supported.
• Effectiveness: Even if free, the tool should find a meaningful number of vulnerabilities. The baseline is covering OWASP Top 10 issues.
• Community Support: Free tools often rely on community forums, documentation, and updates. A vibrant community ensures the tool stays useful.
• Ease of Use vs. Learning Curve: Some free tools are turnkey, while others need skill. We’ll list a variety: some that “just run” and some that might need more expertise (for those willing to invest time over money).

The following are the top 4 best free DAST tools:

1. OWASP ZAP
2. Nikto
3. Wapiti
4. Burp Suite Community Edition

Note: Many commercial players offer free trials (like 14 days trial of Acunetix or a limited free scan from Qualys, etc.), but those are not sustainable solutions. Thus, I stick to tools that are free long-term, not time-limited.

Why these: They cover the basics (and more) without any financial barrier. Free tools are crucial for democratizing security – they allow anyone to test their applications. Companies with zero budget can still improve their security posture using these. 

It’s often recommended to run multiple free tools in combination, as each might catch things the others miss. For example, run Nikto + ZAP + Wapiti together – if all three agree an app is “clean,” you likely handled the obvious issues. All without spending a dime.

Best 4 Open Source DAST Tools

This will interest security enthusiasts andorganizations committed to open-source solutions, or those who want full transparency and control over the tool. Open source tools are also favored by educational institutions and by companies with strict procurement rules that prefer community-audited software.

“Open source” overlaps with “free,” but here we specifically mean tools whose source code is available and that are typically maintained by a community (often under OWASP or similar organizations). The benefit is you can audit the scanner’s code, customize it, and trust that there’s no hidden black-box behavior.

The following are the top open-source DAST tools (with a bit of repeat from above):

1. OWASP ZAP
2. Wapiti
3. Nikto
4. OWASP ZAP’s Add-on Community (honorable mention)

Why open source? Security isabout trust. With open-source DAST, you can inspect exactly what tests are being done and how data is handled (important if scanning sensitive apps – you know the tool isn’t siphoning data away, for example, because you can see the code). It also means if the tool doesn’t perfectly fit your needs, you have the power to change it. Organizations that are willing to invest engineering effort rather than money can build very tailored DAST solutions out of these projects.

Best 6 DAST Tools for DevSecOps

DevSecOps is the practice of integrating security checks into continuous integration and continuous delivery pipelines, with a high degree of automation and collaboration between dev, sec, and ops. These teams want tools that can run headlessly, produce machine-readable output, and perhaps gate builds based on security criteria. They also often favor tools that can be “shifted left” (used early by devs) as well as continuously in post-production.

Important factors for DevSecOps DAST:

• CI/CD Integration: The tool should have a CLI or REST API, and ideally plugins for popular CI systems (Jenkins, GitLab CI, GitHub Actions, Azure DevOps, etc.). It should be easy to spin up as part of a pipeline (containerized versions help here).
• Automation-Friendly Output: Results in formats like JSON or SARIF that can be consumed by other systems for automated decision-making. For example, break the build if new high-severity vulns are found – this requires parsing scanner output automatically.
• Incremental or Quick Scans: Full DAST scans can be slow, which is a challenge for CI. Tools that offer faster modes or allow targeting specific components (maybe via tagging important endpoints) are useful. Another approach is integration with test suites – e.g., attacking the app while integration tests run (some advanced setups do this).
• Environment Flexibility: DevSecOps might spin up ephemeral test environments (e.g., deploying a branch of an app to a test server, scanning it, then tearing it down). DAST tools that can easily point to dynamic URLs and handle ever-changing environments without a lot of manual setup shine here.
• Feedback Loops: A DevSecOps ideal is immediate feedback to developers. So, a DAST tool that can comment on a pull request, or open tickets automatically, or ping in chat with results fosters that fast feedback culture.

The top tools / approaches for DevSecOps:

1. Aikido Security – Pipeline Automation
2. OWASP ZAP (Dockerized) – The DevOps Workhorse
3. StackHawk – Purpose-built for CI
4. Invicti/Acunetix – CI plugins
5. Burp Suite Enterprise – Pipeline Integration
6. Tenable.io WAS – Cloud hooks

In summary, automation is king here. Tools that weren’t built for automation can still be used in pipelines (via creative scripting), but those that acknowledge DevSecOps with features and integrations will save time. The above options are either inherently automation-friendly (ZAP, Aikido, StackHawk) or have evolved to support it because of market demand (Invicti, Burp Enterprise).

DevSecOps teams also often use multiple stages of DAST: a quick lightweight scan in CI (to catch obvious stuff in minutes) and a deeper scan post-deployment (which might take longer but doesn’t block developers). The tools chosen need to support that strategy.

Best 6 DAST Tools for API Security

Audience: Teams that specifically need to test web APIs (REST, SOAP, GraphQL) for vulnerabilities. This includes backend developers, API platform engineers, and security testers focusing on microservices. API security testing is slightly different from web UI testing – there’s no browser interface, so you need tools that can parse API schemas, handle JSON/XML payloads, and understand things like authentication tokens and multi-step API calls.

Key capabilities for API-focused DAST:

• API Specification Import: The tool should import Swagger/OpenAPI or Postman collections to know what endpoints exist and their formats. This saves time and ensures coverage of all API endpoints, even those not easily discoverable.
• GraphQL Support: GraphQL APIs are now common; testing them requires special handling (introspection queries, nested queries). A good API DAST should have modules for GraphQL (e.g., checking for GraphQL-specific vulns like deeply nested query denial of service).
• SOAP and Legacy API Support: Still relevant in enterprises – tools that can test SOAP services by importing WSDL or recording SOAP calls. Also, handling things like gRPC might be considered (though DAST support for gRPC is still nascent; some tools convert gRPC to REST-like testing via proxies).
• Authentication and Tokens: API testing needs to handle API keys, OAuth tokens, JWTs, etc. The tool should make it easy to supply these (maybe via a config file or login script) so it can test authorized endpoints. Bonus if it can also test authorization logic, e.g., IDOR (Insecure Direct Object References) by manipulating IDs.
• Handling Non-HTML Responses: APIs return JSON or XML. The scanner must not expect HTML pages; it should parse JSON and still find issues (like XSS in JSON context, or SQL errors in API responses). Some older scanners only look at HTML responses, which isn’t sufficient for APIs.
• Rate Limiting Awareness: Hitting APIs too hard can trigger rate limits or even get IP blocked. API-focused scanners might include settings to respect rate limits or throttle appropriately, to avoid disrupting the service (important if testing production APIs).

The following are the top DAST tools for API Security:

1. Invicti (and Acunetix) – API Discovery and Testing
2. Qualys WAS – API & OpenAPI v3 support
3. OWASP ZAP – With Add-ons for APIs
4. Burp Suite – Great for Manual API Testing
5. Postman + Security Collections – (Augmenting DAST)
6. Aikido Security – API scanning built-in

Why these: API endpoints often hold sensitive data and are prone to issues like auth bypass, excessive data exposure, etc. Traditional DAST tools historically focused on web pages, but the ones listed have kept up with the API-first trend. Using them ensures your backend APIs are as tested as your front-end. 

Given how many breaches now involve APIs (remember the Facebook user data leak via an API, or the T-Mobile API issues), focusing on API security is critical. Tools that can simulate malicious API consumption are how you uncover those flaws.

Best 6 DAST Tools for Web Applications

This might sound broad (since most DAST is for web apps), but here we interpret it as organizations specifically focused on testing traditional web applications (websites, portals, e-commerce sites) – possibly those with rich user interfaces. They want the tools that perform best in finding web app vulns in these environments. This category is basically asking: if your primary concern is securing web apps (with browsers, forms, user accounts, etc.), which tools are the most effective overall?

Important aspects for pure web app scanning (as opposed to APIs or other niches):

• Crawling and Coverage: A web app scanner must effectively crawl all links, including those generated by scripts or user events. Tools with better crawling algorithms (headless browser, handling of SPAs) will cover more of the app.
• Session Management: Web apps often have complex login and state (shopping cart, multi-step workflows). The best web app DAST tools can handle those via recorded macros or script logic.
• Vulnerability Depth: For web apps, things like XSS, SQLi, CSRF, file inclusion, etc., are key. Some tools have more comprehensive checks for XSS (reflected, stored, DOM-based) than others, for example. How well a tool finds stored XSS (which might involve one page to submit, another to trigger) can separate the great from the good.
• False Positive Handling: In a large web app, you might get hundreds of findings – tools that verify or clearly prioritize exploitability help focus on real issues.
• Client-Side Security Checks: Modern web apps might have issues like insecure use of client-side storage, or vulnerabilities in third-party scripts. Some DAST tools now flag if your site is loading a script with known vuln or if Content Security Policy is missing. These are more “web app specific” checks beyond the raw vulns.

Thetop DAST tools for Web Applications:

1. Aikido Security
2. Invicti (Netsparker)
3. Burp Suite Pro
4. Acunetix
5. OWASP ZAP
6. HCL AppScan Standard

‍

Why these: They offer the best chance of finding a wide variety of vulnerabilities in typical web applications. A web application can be a sprawling thing with various features; these tools are proven on scanning entire websites end-to-end. 

Tools like Invicti and Burp are often used in tandem: one for breadth, one for depth. Acunetix or AppScan, in the hands of an analyst, provide a structured approach to scanning that many security teams trust for their regular assessments of corporate web apps. And ZAP, being open source, democratizes that capability.

In short, if your goal is “I have this web portal, I want to find as many security issues in it as possible,” the above tools are among the first you’d consider.

Best 6 DAST Tools for REST APIs

This is a narrower focus on RESTful APIs (which could be considered a subset of API Security above, but here specifically REST). These tools are for teams  developing REST APIs (JSON over HTTP, stateless design), including mobile app backends or SPA backends, who want to ensure those APIs are not vulnerable.

Focus areas for REST API DAST:

• Swagger/OpenAPI integration: Very important for REST. Tools that can ingest a Swagger spec for a REST API can enumerate all endpoints, methods, and expected parameters, making the scanning more effective.
• REST-specific vulns: Testing for things like improper HTTP verb handling (e.g., GET vs POST confusion), lack of rate limiting, and typical REST misconfigurations (like HTTP  PUT allowed where it shouldn’t be, or methods that should be idempotent but are not).
• Parameter fuzzing: REST endpoints often take JSON bodies. The scanner should try fuzzing JSON parameters with injection payloads, nested JSON objects, etc. Also, testing query parameters in URLs for REST endpoints (like /users?filter=<script>).
• Authentication/Authorization: Many REST APIs use tokens (Bearer tokens). Tools need to handle attaching those to every request. Additionally, testing authZ on REST (like changing an ID in the URL to another user’s ID) is something some DAST tools attempt (though true authorization logic testing might go beyond DAST).
• CSRF in APIs: Many think APIs aren’t affected by CSRF if they don’t use cookies for auth, but some do (or some allow both cookie and token). Scanners could check if state-changing endpoints have CSRF protections when cookies are used, for example.

‍

The top 6 tools for REST API DAST:

1. OWASP ZAP with OpenAPI Add-on
2. Postman + OWASP ZAP Synergy
3. Invicti/Acunetix
4. Burp Suite Pro
5. Wapiti
6. Tenable.io WAS

Why these: REST APIs are everywhere (any modern web/mobile app has one). Injections in REST APIs can be just as devastating as one in a web form. The tools above have proven capabilities in testing REST specifically. As evidence, many tools now align with OWASP API Security Top 10 – which is heavily about REST.

Tools like Invicti and Qualys WAS explicitly mention coverage of those (like BOLA – Broken Object Level Authorization – which is #1 on API Top 10, some scanners attempt to detect by ID fuzzing).

Using these tools on REST APIs helps catch issues that static code analysis might not (especially configuration issues or mistakes in access control). They simulate real client calls, which is how attackers approach APIs.

Best 6 DAST Tools for Mobile Apps

When we talk about mobile apps in the context of DAST, we’re mostly concerned with the backend services that mobile apps communicate with, as well as any webviews or embedded browsers in the mobile app. 

Pure mobile app binary security (like checking the APK for hardcoded keys) is a different domain (mobile SAST maybe), but DAST for mobile means testing the mobile app’s server-side interfaces and possibly the network communication. The audience could be mobile developers or security testers ensuring that the mobile client-server interaction is secure.

Key aspects:

• Testing API endpoints used by mobile: Many mobile apps use REST/GraphQL APIs – which loops us back to API scanning. However, the difference is you might not have documentation for these if it’s an internal API. So intercepting mobile traffic is step one.
• Handling authentication flows: Mobile apps might use OAuth flows, or custom auth with tokens. A DAST tool for mobile needs to capture and reuse those tokens. Often the easiest way is proxying the mobile app and capturing an authenticated session.
• Testing webviews: Some mobile apps are hybrid or have webview components. These can be tested like normal web apps if you can get the URLs. E.g., a banking app might have an FAQ section that’s basically a webview of a web page – that should be scanned for XSS, etc., because if vulnerable it could be an attack vector through the app.
• Checking for insecure protocols: A DAST examining mobile traffic might notice if the app calls an HTTP URL instead of HTTPS, or accepts invalid SSL certs (some tools can test by MITM with an invalid cert to see if the app still connects).
• Workflows and state: Some mobile interactions are stateful sequences (add item to cart, then purchase). Simulating those might require either scripting the mobile app or replicating the calls via an automated script. This is complex, so tools that can record and play back such sequences help.

The top 6 Tools/Methods for Mobile App DAST:

1. Burp Suite – Mobile Testing Standard
2. OWASP ZAP – Mobile Proxy and Scan
3. HCL AppScan with Mobile Analyzer
4. Aikido Security – Full AppSec Platform (Mobile included)
5. Postman for Mobile API + ZAP
6. Nessus / Nexpose etc. – environment checks

Why these: Mobile apps introduce unique challenges like certificate pinning, which can hinder DAST. But the above approaches are what security pros use to get inside the mobile-app-to-server conversation. 

Burp Suite is basically the de facto tool for mobile app pentesting because of its flexibility. ZAP can achieve much of the same with a bit more setup but at no cost. These allow you to find issues like: 

Does the API trust user-supplied IDs (leading to data exposure)? 

Does the mobile app fail to validate SSL (allowing man-in-the-middle)? 

Are there hidden endpoints the app calls that aren’t obvious?

By using DAST on mobile backends, one can simulate what an attacker would do if they tore apart the mobile app and started sending crafted API requests. This is critical; many mobile breaches (think of Uber’s API leak or Snapchat’s past API issues) come from someone reversing the mobile app and abusing the API. DAST tools applied in the ways above can often catch those weaknesses before an attacker does.

Conclusion

Web application security in 2025 demands a proactive approach – attackers are constantly probing our websites, APIs, and mobile apps for weaknesses. Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) tools are a cornerstone of that proactive defense, offering a hacker’s-eye view of your application’s vulnerabilities. By dynamically simulating attacks, DAST tools help you identify and fix issues that static code reviews might overlook, from SQL injections in a forgotten form to misconfigured servers accepting weak ciphers.

Ready to take your application security to the next level? Get Started for Free with Aikido’s all-in-one platform.

You might also like:

• Top API Scanners – Complement DAST with deep API-specific testing.
• Top 7 ASPM Tools – Orchestrate DAST findings across the SDLC.
• Top Automated Penetration Testing Tools – Automate even more with pentest-grade coverage.