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