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Cybersecurity · head to head

Acunetix vs Google Cloud for Government

Acunetix logo

Acunetix

Cybersecurity

Web application security testing made easy

From
On request
Free plan
No
Google Cloud for Government logo

Google Cloud for Government

Government

Innovation Cloud for Government

From
Free
Free plan
Yes

The short version

  • Only Google Cloud for Government 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; Google Cloud for Government the free tier gives new customers $300 in credits, and the 20+ always-free products are capped by monthly usage limits
  • They diverge on capability: Acunetix covers DAST scanning, Google Cloud for Government covers FedRAMP High Authorized.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Acunetix and Google Cloud for Government actually diverge.

Attributes where Acunetix and Google Cloud for Government differ
AttributeAcunetixGoogle Cloud for Government
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionusage-based
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsDesktop, Web, ApiWeb, Cli, Sdk
CategoryCybersecurityGovernment
Founded20052008

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 Google Cloud for Government

  • FedRAMP High Authorized
  • Data Analytics
  • Machine Learning
  • Kubernetes
  • Assured Workloads
  • Workspace
  • Chronicle
  • Third-party Tools

What people use each for

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

Acunetix

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

Google Cloud for Government

  • Running public sector workloads on Google Cloud compute and storagenot Acunetix
  • Data analytics and AI for government agenciesnot Acunetix
  • Migrating agency applications off on-premises infrastructurenot 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

Google Cloud for Government

  • The free tier gives new customers $300 in credits, and the 20+ always-free products are capped by monthly usage limits
  • Pricing is pay as you go and varies by product and usage, so there is no single published rate for the platform
  • Committed use discounts of up to 57% require pre-paying for resources rather than being available on demand
  • Organizations are directed to request a quote rather than being given a published organizational price

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

Google Cloud for Government

Free
  • Pay-as-you-goFree
    • Compute Engine
    • Cloud Storage
    • BigQuery

Which should you pick?

Choose Acunetix if

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

Choose Google Cloud for Government if

  • You need fedramp high authorized.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Web, Cli, Sdk.
  • You also want data analytics.

Questions people ask

Is Acunetix or Google Cloud for Government better?
Neither clearly leads. Acunetix starts at On request and Google Cloud for Government at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Acunetix or Google Cloud for Government?
Google Cloud for Government has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Acunetix and Free for Google Cloud for Government.
Does Acunetix or Google Cloud for Government run on more platforms?
Acunetix runs on Desktop, Web, Api. Google Cloud for Government runs on Web, Cli, Sdk.
Can I use Google Cloud for Government for free?
Yes. Google Cloud for Government 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 Google Cloud for Government is typically brought in for.
What can Acunetix do that Google Cloud for Government cannot?
Acunetix covers DAST scanning, IAST technology, AcuSensor, JavaScript security. Google Cloud for Government covers FedRAMP High Authorized, Data Analytics, Machine Learning, Kubernetes.

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.

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