Software · head to head
Burp Suite vs Acunetix
The short version
- Only Burp Suite has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Burp Suite the automated vulnerability scanner is Professional only, at $499; the free Community edition is manual tools; 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
- They diverge on capability: Burp Suite covers Web vulnerability scanner, Acunetix covers DAST scanning.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Burp Suite and Acunetix actually diverge.
| Attribute | Burp Suite | Acunetix |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | On request |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Desktop, Api | Desktop, Web, Api |
| Founded | 2004 | 2005 |
Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), 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 Burp Suite
- Web vulnerability scanner
- Proxy interceptor
- Intruder
- Repeater
- Sequencer
- Decoder
- Comparer
- Logger
Only in Acunetix
- DAST scanning
- IAST technology
- AcuSensor
- JavaScript security
- SQL injection testing
- XSS detection
- OWASP Top 10
- API security testing
Both cover
- GitHub
- GitLab
- Jenkins
- On-premise deployment
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Burp Suite
- Manual web application penetration testing through an intercepting proxynot Acunetix
- Automated scanning for web vulnerabilities on the Professional editionnot Acunetix
- Extending testing with community-built BApp extensionsnot Acunetix
- Enterprise-wide dynamic scanning through Burp DASTnot Acunetix
Acunetix
- Vulnerability Scannernot Burp Suite
- Web Securitynot Burp Suite
- Dastnot Burp Suite
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Burp Suite
- The automated vulnerability scanner is Professional only, at $499; the free Community edition is manual tools
- BApp Store extensions require the Professional edition
- DAST and the agentic testing product are separate enterprise offerings with no published price
- Professional is licensed per user per year rather than perpetually
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
Pricing, plan by plan
Burp Suite
Free- Community EditionFree
- Essential manual tools
- Proxy
- Repeater
- Professional$449/year
- All Community features
- Burp Scanner
- Advanced manual tools
- Enterprise$6995/year
- CI/CD integration
- Scheduled scans
- Role-based access
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
Which should you pick?
Choose Burp Suite if
- You need web vulnerability scanner.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Desktop, Api.
- You also want proxy interceptor.
Choose Acunetix if
- You need dast scanning.
- You work on Desktop, Web, Api.
- You also want iast technology.
Questions people ask
- Is Burp Suite or Acunetix better?
- Neither clearly leads. Burp Suite starts at Free and Acunetix at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Burp Suite or Acunetix?
- Burp Suite has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Burp Suite and On request for Acunetix.
- Does Burp Suite or Acunetix run on more platforms?
- Burp Suite runs on Desktop, Api. Acunetix runs on Desktop, Web, Api.
- Can I use Burp Suite for free?
- Yes. Burp Suite has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Acunetix starts at On request.
- What is Burp Suite best used for?
- Burp Suite is most often used for manual web application penetration testing through an intercepting proxy, automated scanning for web vulnerabilities on the professional edition, extending testing with community-built bapp extensions, enterprise-wide dynamic scanning through burp dast. Of those, manual web application penetration testing through an intercepting proxy and automated scanning for web vulnerabilities on the professional edition are not what Acunetix is typically brought in for.
- What can Burp Suite do that Acunetix cannot?
- Burp Suite covers Web vulnerability scanner, Proxy interceptor, Intruder, Repeater. Acunetix covers DAST scanning, IAST technology, AcuSensor, JavaScript security. Both handle GitHub, GitLab, Jenkins, On-premise deployment.