5 Best Web Application and API Vulnerability Scanners in 2022

You need a vulnerability scanner to protect your assets, but finding the right one can be overwhelming.

It's critical to ensure that the tool you choose reduces frustrations among your IT team, developers, and security department and works with them.

This article will cover the top five best vulnerability scanners on the market today—helping you find the right tool for your security needs.

What Is a Vulnerability Scan?

You should know what to expect from a vulnerability scan before making a decision.

Vulnerability scans detect and report weaknesses in a network, web application, or API that hackers can exploit.

The reports generated from the scans allow your IT team to regularly patch your vulnerabilities, protecting your most sensitive data.

What Are the Best Vulnerability Scanners?

Here are our top picks for the best vulnerability scanners in 2022:

1. APIsec
2. Burp Suite
3. Acunetix
4. beSECURE
5. Nessus

1. APIsec

APIsec is a vulnerability scanner that offers full coverage API scanning and automated testing designed to keep up with your fast-paced business.

Most API security testing tools require you to manually write thousands of test cases. APIsec is the only AI-based solution that writes tests for you, allowing you to fully automate the entire API security testing process.

It identifies loopholes regardless of the size and complexity of your API, including business logic flaws (an aspect other scanners often overlook that allows hackers to abuse the legitimate functionalities of your API) before hackers have the chance to exploit them.

Top Features

• Full Coverage: APIsec learns the ins and outs of your API once it is integrated into your system, discovering exactly how it is used and where weaknesses may occur.
• Automatic Testing: The scanners run continuous, comprehensive tests that cover a wide range of vulnerabilities, including the OWASP Security Top 10 list.
• API Pen Tests: APIsec simulates attacks on your API, ensuring its every aspect is secure from potential hacks.
• Business Logic Flaws: APIsec leverages the power of AI to deeply understand how your API works, making it possible to uncover business logic vulnerabilities - one of the most dangerous types of cyberthreats that typically slip through the cracks.

Pricing

APIsec offers a free API assessment that tests your endpoints and provides a report of the findings. You can choose from one of three package options:

• Standard ($500 per month*): The standard plan includes over 100 API test categories to choose from, full OWASP coverage, daily tests for both application logic and security, and support for public and private APIs.
• Professional ($1,950 per month*): This plan is built for those who require advanced ticketing, pipeline, single-sign-on, and API gateway integration. Additionally, this plan provides unlimited scans, remediation guidance, and access to community support.
• Enterprise (Contact for price): This all-inclusive plan provides access to every feature APIsec has to offer, including volume discounts, account management, a dedicated support team, and the ability to create custom test categories.

*Note: All prices apply per API.

Why we recommend this scanner: APIsec’s full-scale approach to detecting weaknesses or loopholes in your security and logic makes it the best vulnerability scanner for APIs.

2. Burp Suite

Burp Suite is used by over 15,000 organizations to help development teams protect their user bases from various threats.

With their original Burp Scanner technology, Burp Suite is scaled for maximum coverage of an enterprise.

It is ideal for testing web applications, whether you use their automated features or opt for manual testing.

Top Features

• Intuitive Reporting: Receive scan reports on the go and access specialized security dashboards.
• Out-of-the-Box Integration: Incorporate built-in security plugins with your existing software development.
• Accessible Feedback: Vulnerability reports are tailored to your specifications, making them easy to understand and not overloaded with technical jargon.
• Customized Scanning: With customizable scan configurations, you can decide when, where, and what threats to search for. 

Pricing

Burp Suite’s prices vary based on your business size and needs. Each package has full access to all features.

• Starter ($6,995 per year): Designed for small teams with five scanning agents.
• Grow ($14,480 per year): Recommended for medium-sized teams with 20 scanning agents.
• Accelerate ($29,450+ per year): Built for large teams with more than 50 scanning agents.

Why we recommend this scanner: With no application limits and solid out-of-the-box features, Burp Suite offers a complete product at every price point.

3. Acunetix

Acunetix is a great web application vulnerability scanner for small to medium-sized businesses.

Its advanced crawling technology and ability to scan password-protected areas have made Acunetix a fan favorite among IT teams.

Acunetix's step-by-step process is designed to help organizations streamline threat detection and simplify security resolutions.

Top Features

• Advanced Crawling Technology: With the ability to scan unlinked documents, password-protected areas, and script-heavy sites, discover hidden vulnerabilities other scanners miss.
• Blended DAST and IAST Scanning: Search for over 7,000 vulnerabilities swiftly and efficiently with a robust scanner.
• Automate Manual Tasks: Reduce the time it takes to fix errors by letting Acunetix automate singling out lines of code that need attention and reducing false positives.
• Developer Integration: Easily communicate with developers through integrated tools, helping them fix and prevent vulnerabilities through secure code.

Pricing

Request a quote to see what Acunetix has to offer. 

Why we recommend this scanner: With the ability to scan hidden areas, Acunetix’s vigorous scanning protocol identifies potential vulnerabilities in every aspect of your application.

4. beSECURE

beSECURE is a flexible vulnerability scanner that can deploy scans in the cloud. 

It also offers web application scanning and extensive training for new users. This is particularly valuable if you’re in need of a refresher course on vulnerability management.

beSECURE’s customizable features allow you to easily adapt this tool to fit your needs.

Top Features

• Flexible Deployment: Choose how you want to deploy your scans—in the cloud, on-premises, or via a hybrid model.
• Rapid Scanning: Scans take around five minutes from start to finish.
• Agent Free: Host-based clients or agents are not required.
• Automatic Updates: Daily updates allow you to catch potential security breaches and stay ahead of potential threats.

Pricing

beSECURE offers a free trial of their scanners. For further pricing and plan information, contact them directly.

Why we recommend this scanner: With its adaptable deployment abilities, beSECURE’s vulnerability scanners can be applied to different types of applications, providing you with more flexibility.

5. Nessus

Nessus is a broad-coverage vulnerability scanner known for its accurate scans and low rate of false positives.

The Nessus team collaborates with security communities to continue to innovate products, providing customers with extensive coverage.

To assist in providing a comprehensive vulnerability assessment, Nessus hosts a massive database containing over 59,000 threats.

Top Features

• Dynamic Plugins: Enable faster scans and increase efficiency with a diverse range of plugins to extend the core functionalities of the scanner.
• Pre-Built Templates: With access to over 450 templates, establish vulnerabilities and audit configuration compliance with ease.
• User-friendliness: Easy-to-use navigation and access to a resource center make it easier for you to work with the vulnerability scanner, even for those who don’t specialize in cybersecurity
• Portable Deployment: Deploy Nessus on a variety of platforms, including Raspberry Pi. 

Pricing

Nessus divides its products into two categories: Vulnerability Assessment and Vulnerability Management. 

In their Vulnerability Assessment category, they offer two packages.

• Nessus Essentials (Free): This package is geared toward educators or students and offers limited scans, free training, and support.
• Nessus Professional ($2,990 per year): This package is designed for the professional and provides unlimited scans, live results, community support, and configuration assessments and reports.

Nessus recommends Tenable.io for vulnerability management. This package is built for small to mid-sized organizations and includes cloud management, advanced dashboards, access controls, scalable features, and advanced support.

Why we recommend this scanner: With access to free training and easy-to-use features, Nessus scanners are a solid choice for new or non-technical users.

The Wrap Up

As the number of cyberattacks increases each year, businesses must be proactive in mitigating their risks. While vulnerability scans do not repair the issues they find, they do point IT teams in the right direction.

Having a quality vulnerability scanner is essential for maintaining internet security and peace of mind for businesses and customers alike.

At APIsec, we can help you discover and address vulnerabilities before hackers have the opportunity to exploit them.

Ready to take the next step? Get a free vulnerability assessment today.