Softwr

Security & Cybersecurity · head to head

Acunetix vs Azure SQL

Acunetix logo

Acunetix

Security & Cybersecurity

Web application security testing made easy

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Azure SQL logo

Azure SQL

Database & Data Management

Intelligent, scalable cloud database service from Microsoft

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Azure SQL has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Acunetix aWS Marketplace lists Acunetix Online Premium, published by seller Invicti Security, at $7,000 per year for 5 targets under a 12 month contract, where a target is one fully qualified domain, website, web app, API or web service; Azure SQL ecosystem lock-in limits flexibility compared to open-source or multi-cloud solutions
  • They diverge on capability: Acunetix covers DAST scanning, Azure SQL covers Intelligent Performance.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Acunetix and Azure SQL actually diverge.

Attributes where Acunetix and Azure SQL differ
AttributeAcunetixAzure SQL
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionUnknown
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsDesktop, Web, ApiCloud (Microsoft Azure)
CategorySecurity & CybersecurityDatabase & Data Management
Founded20051975

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Acunetix

  • DAST scanning
  • IAST technology
  • AcuSensor
  • JavaScript security
  • SQL injection testing
  • XSS detection
  • OWASP Top 10
  • API security testing

Only in Azure SQL

  • Intelligent Performance
  • Advanced Security
  • Hyperscale
  • Serverless Compute
  • Geo-replication
  • Automatic Tuning
  • Built-in AI
  • Power BI

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Acunetix

  • Vulnerability Scannernot Azure SQL
  • Web Securitynot Azure SQL
  • Dastnot Azure SQL

Azure SQL

  • Transaction processingnot Acunetix
  • Data storagenot Acunetix
  • Application backendnot Acunetix
  • Reportingnot Acunetix
  • Data analyticsnot Acunetix

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Acunetix

  • AWS Marketplace lists Acunetix Online Premium, published by seller Invicti Security, at $7,000 per year for 5 targets under a 12 month contract, where a target is one fully qualified domain, website, web app, API or web service
  • AWS Marketplace's Invicti listing shows Premium Support priced separately at $150,000 per year and Premium Support with Guided Success at $300,000 per year, on top of the base scanning licence

Azure SQL

  • Ecosystem lock-in limits flexibility compared to open-source or multi-cloud solutions
  • Managed service reduces control over database configuration and optimization tuning
  • Pricing complexity with consumption-based model can be unpredictable at scale
  • Less operational depth compared to Amazon RDS for advanced scaling scenarios
  • Azure PostgreSQL is less compelling than dedicated PostgreSQL providers outside Azure ecosystem

Pricing, plan by plan

Acunetix

On request
  • StandardFree
    • Single user
    • 5 targets
    • Scheduled scans
  • PremiumFree
    • Multiple users
    • Unlimited targets
    • CI/CD integration
  • Acunetix 360Free
    • Enterprise features
    • SDLC integration
    • Custom workflows

Azure SQL

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the Azure SQL review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Acunetix if

  • You need dast scanning.
  • You work on Desktop, Web, Api.
  • You also want iast technology.
Acunetix review

Choose Azure SQL if

  • You need intelligent performance.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Cloud (Microsoft Azure).
  • You also want advanced security.
Azure SQL review

Questions people ask

Is Acunetix or Azure SQL better?
Neither clearly leads. Acunetix starts at On request and Azure SQL at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Acunetix or Azure SQL?
Azure SQL has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Acunetix and Free for Azure SQL.
Does Acunetix or Azure SQL run on more platforms?
Acunetix runs on Desktop, Web, Api. Azure SQL runs on Cloud (Microsoft Azure).
Can I use Azure SQL for free?
Yes. Azure SQL has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Acunetix starts at On request.
What is Acunetix best used for?
Acunetix is most often used for vulnerability scanner, web security, dast. Of those, vulnerability scanner and web security are not what Azure SQL is typically brought in for.
What can Acunetix do that Azure SQL cannot?
Acunetix covers DAST scanning, IAST technology, AcuSensor, JavaScript security. Azure SQL covers Intelligent Performance, Advanced Security, Hyperscale, Serverless Compute.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Azure SQL: Does Azure SQL Database offer a free tier?

Yes, Azure SQL Database includes a permanent free tier that provides 100,000 vCore seconds, 32 GB of data storage, and 32 GB of backup storage per month. This free tier is available for the lifetime of any Azure subscription with no expiration.

Source
Azure SQL: What pricing models does Azure SQL Database support?

Azure SQL Database offers consumption-based pricing where you pay for resources used, with no long-term commitments required. Database Savings Plans launched in March 2026 allow committing to a fixed hourly amount and save up to 35% across Azure database services.

Source
Azure SQL: Is Azure SQL Database compatible with on-premises SQL Server?

Yes, Azure SQL Database shares the same Database Engine as on-premises SQL Server. Existing databases maintain their compatibility level and continue to work after upgrades. Azure SQL Managed Instance provides even broader SQL Server compatibility dating back to SQL Server 2008.

Source
Azure SQL: What high availability features does Azure SQL Database provide?

Azure SQL Database provides automatic backups, geo-replication for disaster recovery, failover groups for automatic failover, and zone redundancy for enhanced availability. The service maintains a 99.99% availability SLA for Business Critical tier.

Source
Azure SQL: Can I use AI features with Azure SQL Database?

Yes, Azure SQL Database includes Copilot for database tasks, Intelligent Applications support, REST API endpoints for building applications, and GraphQL endpoints for modern app development.

Source
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