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Cybersecurity · head to head

Acunetix vs GitHub

Acunetix logo

Acunetix

Cybersecurity

Web application security testing made easy

From
On request
Free plan
No
Visit AcunetixFull review
GitHub logo

GitHub

Developer Tools

Where the world builds software

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Visit GitHubFull review

The short version

  • Acunetix is an automated web vulnerability scanner; GitHub is a development platform inspired.
  • Acunetix is free; GitHub starts at $4/mo.
  • Only Acunetix lists IAST technology; only GitHub lists git repositories.
  • Where Acunetix falls short: pricing available by quote only; no transparent pricing published online.
  • Where GitHub falls short: acquired by Microsoft in 2018, reducing pure independence despite operational autonomy.
  • Prices and features on this page were last checked on 13 November 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Acunetix and GitHub actually diverge.

Attributes where Acunetix and GitHub differ
AttributeAcunetixGitHub
Starting priceOn requestFree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindows, macOS, Web, APIWeb, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
CategoryCybersecurityDeveloper Tools
Founded20052008

Identical on both: pricing model (Subscription).

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 GitHub

  • Git repositories
  • Pull requests
  • Code review
  • Issues & projects
  • GitHub Actions CI/CD
  • GitHub Pages
  • Security scanning
  • Dependency management

Both cover

  • Jenkins
  • Jira
  • Slack

What people use each for

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

Acunetix

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

GitHub

  • Version controlnot Acunetix
  • Code collaborationnot Acunetix
  • CI/CD pipelinesnot Acunetix
  • Project managementnot Acunetix
  • Documentation hostingnot 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

GitHub

  • Acquired by Microsoft in 2018, reducing pure independence despite operational autonomy
  • Primary focus on source control differs from purpose-built project management tools like Jira
  • Pricing for enterprise features and private repositories adds up compared to some self-hosted alternatives

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

GitHub

Free
  • FreeFree
    • Unlimited public/private repos
    • 2,000 CI/CD minutes/month
    • 500MB package storage
  • Team$4/mo
    • Everything in Free
    • 3,000 CI/CD minutes/month
    • 2GB package storage
  • Enterprise$21/mo
    • Everything in Team
    • 50,000 CI/CD minutes/month
    • 50GB package storage

Which should you pick?

Choose Acunetix if

  • You need dast scanning.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Web, API.
  • You also want iast technology.
Acunetix review

Choose GitHub if

  • You need git repositories.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.
  • You also want pull requests.
GitHub review

Questions people ask

Is Acunetix or GitHub better?
Neither clearly leads. Acunetix starts at On request and GitHub at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Acunetix or GitHub?
GitHub has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Acunetix and Free for GitHub.
Does Acunetix or GitHub run on more platforms?
Acunetix runs on Windows, macOS, Web, API. GitHub runs on Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.
Can I use GitHub for free?
Yes. GitHub 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 GitHub is typically brought in for.
What can Acunetix do that GitHub cannot?
Acunetix covers DAST scanning, IAST technology, AcuSensor, JavaScript security. GitHub covers Git repositories, Pull requests, Code review, Issues & projects. Both handle Jenkins, Jira, Slack.

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
GitHub: What is a Git repository and how does GitHub use it?

A repository is the centralized database that stores the complete collection of files and folders for a codebase, along with the revision history. GitHub uses Git to provide distributed version control access to repositories with version tracking, branching, and collaboration features.

Source
GitHub: How does GitHub authentication work?

When you connect to a GitHub repository from Git, you need to authenticate with GitHub using either HTTPS or SSH. GitHub supports multiple authentication methods including passwords, personal access tokens, SSH keys, and GitHub Apps.

Source
GitHub: How long has GitHub been operating?

GitHub was founded in 2008 and launched publicly on April 10, 2008, making it the dominant git hosting platform for nearly two decades.

Source
GitHub: Who owns GitHub and when did the acquisition occur?

Microsoft acquired GitHub for $7.5 billion USD, with the deal announced June 4, 2018 and completed October 26, 2018. GitHub operates as an independent subsidiary within Microsoft.

Source
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