Softwr

Software · head to head

Acunetix vs OWASP ZAP

Acunetix logo

Acunetix

Software

Web application security testing made easy

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
OWASP ZAP logo

OWASP ZAP

Software

Free security testing tool for web applications

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only OWASP ZAP 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; OWASP ZAP oWASP ZAP is free and open source with no official paid enterprise support contract available from OWASP; support is community-only (mailing lists, GitHub issues).
  • They diverge on capability: Acunetix covers DAST scanning, OWASP ZAP covers Active scanner.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Acunetix and OWASP ZAP actually diverge.

Attributes where Acunetix and OWASP ZAP differ
AttributeAcunetixOWASP ZAP
Starting priceOn requestFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsDesktop, Web, ApiDesktop, Cli, Api
Founded20052001

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

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
  • API security testing
  • Jira

Only in OWASP ZAP

  • Active scanner
  • Passive scanner
  • Spider/crawler
  • Fuzzer
  • Forced browse
  • WebSocket testing
  • AJAX spider
  • Authentication support

Both cover

  • OWASP Top 10
  • Jenkins
  • Azure DevOps
  • OWASP Top 10
  • On-premise deployment

What people use each for

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

Acunetix

  • Vulnerability Scannernot OWASP ZAP
  • Web Security
  • Dastnot OWASP ZAP

OWASP ZAP

  • Penetration Testingnot Acunetix
  • Web Security
  • Open Sourcenot Acunetix

Both are used for web security, on those jobs the choice comes down to price and fit rather than capability.

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

OWASP ZAP

  • OWASP ZAP is free and open source with no official paid enterprise support contract available from OWASP; support is community-only (mailing lists, GitHub issues).

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

OWASP ZAP

Free
  • Free & Open SourceFree
    • Full functionality
    • Active & passive scanning
    • Spider

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 OWASP ZAP if

  • You need active scanner.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Desktop, Cli, Api.
  • You also want passive scanner.
OWASP ZAP review

Questions people ask

Is Acunetix or OWASP ZAP better?
Neither clearly leads. Acunetix starts at On request and OWASP ZAP at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Acunetix or OWASP ZAP?
OWASP ZAP has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Acunetix and Free for OWASP ZAP.
Does Acunetix or OWASP ZAP run on more platforms?
Acunetix runs on Desktop, Web, Api. OWASP ZAP runs on Desktop, Cli, Api.
Can I use OWASP ZAP for free?
Yes. OWASP ZAP 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 dast are not what OWASP ZAP is typically brought in for.
What can Acunetix do that OWASP ZAP cannot?
Acunetix covers DAST scanning, IAST technology, AcuSensor, JavaScript security. OWASP ZAP covers Active scanner, Passive scanner, Spider/crawler, Fuzzer. Both handle OWASP Top 10, Jenkins, Azure DevOps, OWASP Top 10.
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Acunetix

More on OWASP ZAP

Keep looking

Other head to heads