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Cybersecurity · head to head

Acunetix vs CodeSandbox

Acunetix logo

Acunetix

Cybersecurity

Web application security testing made easy

From
On request
Free plan
No
C

CodeSandbox

Developer Tools

Cloud platform for instant, isolated development sandboxes and code execution

From
Free
Free plan
Yes

The short version

  • Only CodeSandbox has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Acunetix pricing available by quote only; no transparent pricing published online; CodeSandbox detailed paid plan pricing was not published on the accessible pages, making cost comparison difficult.
  • They diverge on capability: Acunetix covers DAST scanning, CodeSandbox covers Instant sandboxes.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Acunetix and CodeSandbox actually diverge.

Attributes where Acunetix and CodeSandbox differ
AttributeAcunetixCodeSandbox
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsDesktop, Web, Apiweb, api
CategoryCybersecurityDeveloper Tools
Founded2005Unknown

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 CodeSandbox

  • Instant sandboxes
  • Programmatic sandbox API
  • Secure isolated execution
  • Browser-based editor
  • CI/CD sandbox support
  • Scalable VM infrastructure

What people use each for

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

Acunetix

  • Scanning web applications for security vulnerabilitiesnot CodeSandbox
  • Testing APIs for exploitable weaknesses and threatsnot CodeSandbox
  • Automating dynamic application security testing (DAST)not CodeSandbox
  • Finding and validating security issues in production environmentsnot CodeSandbox

CodeSandbox

  • Running AI agent-generated code safely in isolationnot Acunetix
  • Prototyping and sharing web projects in-browsernot Acunetix
  • Executing untrusted code for a code playground productnot Acunetix
  • Using sandboxes as ephemeral CI/CD build environmentsnot Acunetix

Where each one falls short

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

Acunetix

  • Pricing available by quote only; no transparent pricing published online
  • Requires per-application licenses for comprehensive coverage
  • Scanning speed and feature depth depend on subscription tier
  • Advanced features like API security testing may require higher-tier plans

CodeSandbox

  • Detailed paid plan pricing was not published on the accessible pages, making cost comparison difficult.
  • Focus has shifted toward programmatic sandbox infrastructure, which may be less approachable for casual users just wanting a quick online editor.
  • Public sandboxes are visible to others by default, which is not ideal for proprietary code.

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

CodeSandbox

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Public sandboxes
    • Basic sandbox usage

Which should you pick?

Choose Acunetix if

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

Choose CodeSandbox if

  • You need instant sandboxes.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on web, api.
  • You also want programmatic sandbox api.

Questions people ask

Is Acunetix or CodeSandbox better?
Neither clearly leads. Acunetix starts at On request and CodeSandbox at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Acunetix or CodeSandbox?
CodeSandbox has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Acunetix and Free for CodeSandbox.
Does Acunetix or CodeSandbox run on more platforms?
Acunetix runs on Desktop, Web, Api. CodeSandbox runs on web, api.
Can I use CodeSandbox for free?
Yes. CodeSandbox 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 scanning web applications for security vulnerabilities, testing apis for exploitable weaknesses and threats, automating dynamic application security testing (dast), finding and validating security issues in production environments. Of those, scanning web applications for security vulnerabilities and testing apis for exploitable weaknesses and threats are not what CodeSandbox is typically brought in for.
What can Acunetix do that CodeSandbox cannot?
Acunetix covers DAST scanning, IAST technology, AcuSensor, JavaScript security. CodeSandbox covers Instant sandboxes, Programmatic sandbox API, Secure isolated execution, Browser-based editor.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Acunetix: How much does Invicti (formerly Acunetix) cost?

Invicti pricing is available by quote based on your organization's needs, application count, and required features. The platform offers 8x faster scanning compared to competitors and detects 99.98% of exploitable vulnerabilities. Contact Invicti sales for a custom pricing proposal.

Source
CodeSandbox: Does CodeSandbox offer a free tier?

Yes, CodeSandbox offers a free option available on the platform. Users can start for free.

Source
CodeSandbox: Where can I find CodeSandbox's pricing details?

CodeSandbox maintains a dedicated pricing page, but specific tier names, feature breakdowns, and costs are not displayed on the landing page.

Source
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