Acunetix
Web vulnerability scanner for automated security testing of websites and web apps
ZAP
Automated web app security scanner for developers and pentesters
ZAP automatically discovers security flaws in web applications during development and testing, offering both automated scanning and manual testing tools for developers and seasoned penetration testers.
Overview
Overview
ZAP (Zed Attack Proxy) is a free, community‑driven web application security scanner that helps you identify vulnerabilities early in the development lifecycle. It supports automated scans that can be integrated into CI/CD pipelines as well as manual testing features such as an intercepting proxy, making it suitable for both developers and experienced penetration testers.
Capabilities & Deployment
Built on Java and available as a Docker image, ZAP can be run locally, in containers, or as part of automated test suites. Its extensible architecture allows add‑ons to enhance functionality, while integration tests and live Docker releases simplify continuous security testing. Whether you need quick vulnerability checks or deep manual exploration, ZAP provides a flexible, enterprise‑grade solution without licensing costs.
Highlights
Automated vulnerability detection across web applications
Manual testing tools including intercepting proxy and spider
Seamless CI/CD integration via Docker and command‑line interfaces
Extensible add‑on ecosystem for custom security checks
Pros
- Free, Apache‑2.0 licensed with no commercial fees
- Large, active community and frequent updates
- Supports both automated scans and hands‑on testing
- Docker images simplify deployment and isolation
Considerations
- Requires a Java runtime environment
- Full UI can be resource‑intensive on low‑spec machines
- Steeper learning curve for advanced manual features
- Out‑of‑the‑box reporting may need customization for some workflows
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Fit guide
Great for
- Developers who want security testing integrated early
- QA teams adding security checks to CI/CD pipelines
- Penetration testers needing a flexible, scriptable scanner
- Organizations seeking a cost‑free, enterprise‑grade solution
Not ideal when
- Environments without Java or Docker support
- Teams requiring only a lightweight CLI‑only scanner
- Projects that need guaranteed commercial support SLAs
- Users focused exclusively on non‑web API security testing
How teams use it
CI/CD Pipeline Integration
Automatically scan each build and prevent deployment of vulnerable releases
Manual Security Assessment
Use the intercepting proxy to explore application behavior and uncover hidden issues
Docker‑Based Testing Environment
Spin up an isolated ZAP container for repeatable scans in any environment
Security Training
Provide hands‑on experience for developers learning secure coding practices
Tech snapshot
Java75%
HTML24%
Python1%
JavaScript1%
Shell1%
Lex1%
Frequently asked questions
What types of applications can ZAP scan?
ZAP scans any web application regardless of the backend language or framework.
How do I run ZAP using Docker?
Pull the official image and start it with `docker run -u zap -p 8080:8080 owasp/zap2docker-stable`.
Is ZAP free for commercial use?
Yes, ZAP is released under the Apache‑2.0 license and can be used commercially at no cost.
Can ZAP be extended with custom functionality?
Yes, ZAP supports add‑ons and scripts to tailor scans and integrate with other tools.
Do I need to purchase a license to use ZAP?
No, ZAP is open source and does not require any licensing fees.
Project at a glance
Active- Stars
- 14,640
- Watchers
- 14,640
- Forks
- 2,494
LicenseApache-2.0
Repo age10 years old
Last commitlast week
Primary languageJava
Last synced 2 days ago