Top 10 dynamic application security testing (DAST) tools for 2025

What is DAST and how does it work?

Dynamic application security testing (DAST) is a security assessment method that analyzes running applications to identify vulnerabilities. Unlike static application security testing (SAST), which examines source code before deployment, DAST simulates real-world attacks by probing a web app’s inputs and responses. Note that while dynamic testing can be done manually or automatically, the term DAST is generally understood to mean automated testing using vulnerability scanners. 

As a black-box testing approach, DAST is useful for detecting remotely exploitable vulnerabilities like SQL injection and cross-site scripting (XSS) as well as runtime-specific security issues like misconfigurations and authentication flaws. A mature and well-integrated DAST tool can scan APIs, detect application vulnerabilities in complex web applications, and integrate into modern DevSecOps workflows within the software development lifecycle (SDLC).

Best DAST Tools for 2025

1. Invicti

Invicti (formerly Netsparker) provides an enterprise-grade, DAST-first application security platform with advanced automation and proof-based scanning technology. It minimizes false positives by automatically verifying common high-impact vulnerabilities, achieving a 99.98% accuracy rate for such exploitable weaknesses. Invicti supports modern web technologies, including JavaScript-heavy applications, single-page applications (SPAs), and APIs (REST, SOAP, GraphQL, and gRPC). 

Invicti seamlessly integrates into CI/CD pipelines and security workflows, making it an ideal choice for organizations looking for a scalable and accurate vulnerability scanning solution. It also incorporates IAST (interactive application security testing) for deeper coverage and enhanced security validation without code instrumentation. As the industry leader in DAST, Invicti provides comprehensive security by supporting automated scanning and vulnerability management in a continuous process and on a unified platform that also incorporates discovery.

2. Acunetix by Invicti

Acunetix by Invicti is a powerful web vulnerability scanner tailored for smaller businesses and mid-sized enterprises. It provides fast, automated security testing with comprehensive reporting and integration capabilities. Acunetix can test for hundreds of vulnerabilities with thousands of variants and offers interactive scanning features to provide code-level insights without the need for instrumentation. Its ease of use and rapid deployment make it a strong choice for companies seeking a balance between functionality and usability. It also includes scanning tools for detecting security flaws and potential vulnerabilities in development frameworks and popular content management systems.

3. Portswigger Burp Suite Enterprise

Burp Suite Enterprise, developed by PortSwigger, is a DAST solution built on the foundation of Burp Suite Professional, a popular tool among penetration testers. It enables automated, continuous scanning of web applications and APIs while maintaining access to Burp’s extensive vulnerability detection capabilities, including out-of-band testing via Burp Collaborator. Burp Suite Enterprise supports integration with CI/CD pipelines through its API and offers a web-based management interface for organizing scan results. However, it is primarily designed for security professionals, requiring expertise for optimal configuration. Additionally, it lacks built-in API discovery and high-level compliance reporting, making it better suited for security teams than development-driven DevSecOps environments​.

4. Checkmarx DAST tools

Checkmarx DAST is part of a web application security suite that includes static and interactive security testing. It integrates with Checkmarx security intelligence to provide enhanced vulnerability detection and prioritization. The tool is aimed at organizations looking for a unified security approach within their SDLC. It also complements SAST tools and Software Composition Analysis (SCA) for more holistic security coverage. Note that depending on the specific product offering, Checkmarx can use ZAP (which it currently sponsors) or its proprietary DAST engine.

5. Rapid7 InsightAppSec

InsightAppSec by Rapid7 is a cloud-based DAST solution designed for modern web applications, including APIs and single-page applications. It features dynamic attack simulations and integrates with security information and event management (SIEM) tools to enhance threat response. With automation capabilities, it helps organizations identify security flaws and application vulnerabilities while integrating with DevOps workflows.

6. Tenable Web App Scanning (WAS)

Tenable WAS extends the capabilities of Tenable’s Nessus network security products by incorporating web application and API scanning into its broader cyber exposure management suite. It combines dynamic vulnerability detection with component-based fingerprinting to identify both behavioral weaknesses (e.g., injection attacks) and known security flaws in web frameworks, CMS platforms, and libraries. Tenable WAS provides centralized asset discovery, compliance reporting, and integration with Tenable’s risk analytics platform (Tenable Lumin). While usable for large-scale security programs, it is traditionally security team-focused and may require additional customization to fit seamlessly into developer-driven DevSecOps workflows​.

7. Qualys WAS

Qualys Web Application Scanning (WAS) is a cloud-based DAST solution that integrates with the Qualys Cloud Platform, offering vulnerability management across web applications and APIs. It includes asset discovery, compliance reporting, and centralized risk management through its TruRisk scoring system. The scanner provides broad vulnerability coverage, including authentication testing and scanning legacy technologies. However, it relies on manual API specification updates, lacks automatic endpoint discovery, and can be slow in large-scale environments. While Qualys WAS is a natural fit for organizations already using the Qualys ecosystem, it may require additional configuration effort to integrate smoothly into DevSecOps workflows​.

8. Black Duck DAST tools

Black Duck, formerly known as Synopsys, offers two DAST products: Continuous Dynamic and Polaris fAST Dynamic. Continuous Dynamic is a DAST tool designed to identify security vulnerabilities in web applications by using automated scanning and analysis. Polaris fAST Dynamic is a separate DAST solution that focuses on streamlining the testing process for web applications, aiming to provide efficient and scalable security testing within agile development environments.

9. Veracode Dynamic Analysis

Veracode’s cloud-based DAST solution offers continuous security testing for web applications and APIs through automated vulnerability detection, integration with CI/CD pipelines, and regular scanning cycles for ongoing protection. It provides detailed vulnerability assessments with remediation guidance, making it suitable for enterprises with stringent compliance requirements. It complements SAST tools and IAST methodologies for a holistic cybersecurity strategy, claiming comprehensive security coverage for development teams.

10. ZAP by Checkmarx (formerly OWASP ZAP)

ZAP (Zed Attack Proxy) is an open-source tool widely used by security teams and developers, and it currently sponsored by Checkmarx. While versatile, it is primarily suited for smaller projects, learning purposes, and penetration testing rather than large-scale enterprise deployments. It provides a suite of penetration testing features, making it a popular choice for organizations that are looking for a free web application security scanner to customize and don’t require high levels of accuracy or automation. While it requires more manual configuration than enterprise tools, its extensibility and strong community support make it a staple application security tool. Several commercial DAST tools are based on ZAP.

The benefits of DAST

Using an accurate DAST that matches your organization’s scale and needs is crucial to proactively identify and address security vulnerabilities before they can be exploited. Some key benefits include:

• Technology-agnostic application security testing: DAST scanning is a black-box security testing methodology, letting you test running applications regardless of the specific tech stack components and programming languages or even source code availability.
• Continuous in-house security testing: DAST tools provide automated and on-demand security testing, allowing teams to detect vulnerabilities at multiple points in the SDLC without having to rely on isolated testing processes or external pentesters.
• Integration with DevSecOps Pipelines: Modern DAST tools can integrate seamlessly into CI/CD workflows, enabling security testing without disrupting development timelines.
• One tool for InfoSec and AppSec: With a mature solution such as Invicti, the same DAST scanner can do double duty for internal security testing in development and external scanning in production.
• Greatly reduced false positives: Advanced DAST solutions, like Invicti with its proof-based scanning, can automatically confirm many classes of vulnerabilities, aiding prioritization and highlighting exploitable issues to minimize time wasted on false positives.
• Comprehensive risk assessment: By simulating real-world attack scenarios, DAST tools provide valuable insights into an application’s security posture and attack surface, helping detect security flaws and misconfigurations as well as aiding compliance efforts.

Key features to look for in an enterprise DAST tool

When selecting a DAST tool that you intend to run in enterprise environments and on an enterprise scale, check if the following features are provided and match your specific needs:

• Automated crawling and scanning: Performs deep and wide scans across modern websites, web applications, and APIs
• Application and API discovery: Uses a variety of methods to build an inventory of known and unknown assets for testing
• Exploitability confirmation: Verifies vulnerabilities to minimize false positives
• API security testing: Supports REST, SOAP, and GraphQL APIs, including vulnerability testing and all the popular specification formats
• DevSecOps integration: Provides seamless compatibility with CI/CD tools and issue trackers
• Comprehensive reporting: Generates detailed vulnerability reports with remediation guidance
• Compliance auditing and reporting: Helps meet regulatory requirements like PCI DSS, ISO 27001, SOC2, or HIPAA
• Framework compatibility: Supports modern web development frameworks for accurate security assessments
• SCA and SAST support: Works alongside software composition analysis and static application security testing tools for holistic security coverage.

Final thoughts: Choosing the best DAST tool is just the beginning

Every organization needs a DAST tool to identify vulnerabilities in its applications, whether in development, production, or both. When selecting a solution, consider not just the upfront cost but also the time and effort required to make it effective. Strong vendor support is essential for reliable scanning and faster results. To be a key part of an application security program, a DAST tool should be easy to set up, configured to scan the entire application environment safely, and capable of providing clear, actionable reports for remediation.

Finding the right tool and vendor for what your organization needs can make the difference between weeks of figuring out and tweaking the tool and getting your devs fixing the first real vulnerabilities in a matter of days.

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