APIs are business-critical assets, yet organizations overlook proper API security, relying on outdated tools built for web applications instead of modern API-driven ecosystems. The problem isn’t just bad coding practices but also API visibility, authentication gaps, and unchecked business logic flaws.
API security requires dedicated and specific testing that understands how APIs are attacked; traditional scanners fail to keep up with that. Not all API security scanners are built for this, as some focus on static code while others work on runtime attacks. The key is choosing the right set of tools that, while automating security tests, give you real-time insights on how the APIs can be compromised.
In API security, the biggest risk is never the ones you see but the ones that are not even tested for yet!
What Are API Security Scanners?
API security scanners are a collection of automated tools used to test and scan APIs for security vulnerabilities. These scanners are deployed on the API systems to uncover vulnerabilities like injection attacks, data exposure, broken authentication, or security misconfigurations.
Integrating these scanners into the API development lifecycle allows you to detect threats proactively, preventing breaches and ensuring compliance.
Types of API Security Scanners
1. Static Application Security Testing (SAST) Tools
SAST tools are ideally used on the APIs to analyze its source code, binaries, and byte code without executing the APIs. These are ideally used in the early stages of security testing, which empowers developers and security experts to detect weak encryption, hardcoded secrets, and insecure coding practices before deploying the APIs.
Benefits of SAST Tools:
- Early detection of vulnerabilities
- Since no execution is required, they are fast and efficient
- Integrates into the CI/CD pipeline for continuous testing
2. Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) Tools
DAST Tools are used on the APIs while simulating real-world attacks to look for vulnerabilities like broken access controls, injection flaws, and authentication and session management issues. DAST does not require the API source code and is used to perform black-box testing on the APIs.
Benefits of DAST Tools:
- Proactively detects runtime vulnerabilities
- Simulates real-world techniques to cover more attack surfaces
Why Astra is the best in API Pentesting?
- We’re the only company that combines artificial intelligence & manual pentest to create a one-of-a-kind pentest platform.
- Runs 120+ test cases based on industrial standards.
- Integrates with your CI/CD tools to help you establish DevSecOps.
- A dynamic vulnerability management dashboard to manage, monitor, and assess APIs your web app consumes.
- Conduct 2 rescans in 60 days to verify patches.
- Award publicly verifiable pentest certificates which you can share with your users.
- Helps you stay compliant with SOC2, ISO27001, PCI-DSS, HIPAA, etc.
- Trusted by the brands you trust like Agora, Spicejet, Muthoot, Dream11, etc.
3. Interactive Application Security Testing (IAST) Tools
The IAST tool is like a mixture of SAST and DAST tools that provide real-time security analysis of the running APIs. They run numerous tests on the running APIs and collect insights, allowing them to provide accurate results.
Benefits of IAST Tools:
- Provides real-time insight on API security
- Provides a mix of SAST and DAST for better results
Top 5 API Security Scanners
Dynamic Application Security Testing Tools
1. Astra Security
Key Features:
- Platform: Online
- Capability: Automate + Manual API Pentesting
- Accuracy: High, minimal false positives
- Compliance Support: PCI-DSS, HIPAA, ISO27001, SOC2
- Integrations: Slack, Jira, GitHub, GitLab, Jenkins
- Expert Remediation: Yes
- Pricing: Starts at $1999/year
Astra Security’s API Security Platform addresses complex API security by offering a complete solution for discovering, scanning, and securing APIs at scale. We provide continuous API security to acknowledge the challenges presented by shadow, zombie, and orphan APIs, as well as sensitive data exposures and evolving threats.
Pros:
- A user-friendly interface simplifies vulnerability management.
- Provides detailed compliance scans and reports.
- Guarantees zero false positives with vetted scans.
Limitations:
- Astra offers a $7 one-week trial instead of a free trial.
2. Burp Suite
Key Features:
- Platform: Desktop Applications
- Capability: Automate + Manual API Pentesting
- Accuracy: High, possible false positives
- Compliance Support: OWASP, PCI-DSS, ISO27001
- Integrations: Jenkins, CI/CD pipelines, REST API Integrations
- Expert Remediation: No
- Pricing: Free, Enterprise version for $399/year
Burp Suite is a penetration testing tool widely used for manual and automated API security testing. Security professionals prefer Burp Suite for its high accuracy in detecting vulnerabilities and its deep testing capabilities. It excels at intercepting API traffic, modifying requests, and uncovering vulnerabilities.
Pros:
- Highly customizable for deep tests
- Offers a variety of extensions to enhance performance
- Automates routine testing processes
Limitations:
- Crashes and socket connection errors have been reported
- Does not highlight information leakage, such as personal and financial data
Static Application Security Testing Tools
3. Checkmarx
Key Features:
- Platform: Cloud & On-premise
- Capability: Automated static code analysis
- Accuracy: Moderate with some false positives
- Compliance Support: OWASP, NIST, GDPR, ISO27001
- Integrations: GitHub, GitLab, Jenkins, Jira
- Expert Remediation: No
- Pricing: Provides custom pricing
Checkmarx is one of the leading tools that can scan the API source code for vulnerabilities before deployment. It is an SAST tool that allows early detection of security misconfigurations in the APIs, hardcoded secrets and credentials, and weak encryption standards and ensures that secure coding practices are in place.
Pros:
- Comprehensive static analysis tests
- Seamless CI/CD Integration
Limitations:
- High false positive needs manual intervention
- Cloud be expensive for smaller teams
4. SonarQube
Key Features:
- Platform: Cloud & On-premise
- Capability: Static code analysis
- Accuracy: Higher false positives
- Compliance Support: OWASP, CWE, ISO27001
- Integrations: GitHub, GitLab, Jenkins, Bitbucket
- Expert Remediation: No
- Pricing: Free, Enterprise version for $150/year
SonarQube is an open-source tool developed to scan APIs and their source code for vulnerabilities and code quality issues. It is one of the most widely used SAST tool for automated security needs in the API development lifecycle.
Pros:
- Customizable as it is an open-source tool
- Supports multiple languages and frameworks
Limitations:
- Higher false positives
- Limited API specific security scans
Interactive Application Testing Tools
5. Invicti
Key Features:
- Platform: Online
- Capability: Automated scanning
- Accuracy: High, minimal false positives
- Compliance Support: OWASP, PCI-DSS, ISO27001, GDPR, HIPAA
- Integrations: Slack, Jira, GitHub, GitLab, Jenkins
- Expert Remediation: Yes
- Pricing: Provides custom pricing
Invicti is an IAST-based API security scanner that provides real-time security testing within a running API. It combines static and dynamic analysis, reducing false positives and improving accuracy.
Pros:
- Highly accurate scans
- Best for continuous security in DevSecOps workflows
Limitations:
- Higher pricing than most scanners
- Requires deployment within the scanner
How To Choose The Right API Security Scanner?
Type of Scanning – SAST tools detect vulnerabilities in source code before deployment, DAST tools identify runtime vulnerabilities, and IAST tools offer real-time security validation.
Ease of Use – Look for tools that integrate seamlessly into CI/CD pipelines with automated scans, descriptive and easy-to-navigate dashboards, and minimal manual setup.
Vulnerability Coverage – Look for a scanner that covers a wide range of vulnerabilities, from OWASP Top 10 API to various authentication issues, injection attacks, and business logic flaws.
Reporting & Remediation – Choose a scanner that provides detailed vulnerability reports with proper steps and actionable mitigation suggestions. They should also offer compliance-ready reports to help stay compliant with regulatory standards.
Final Thoughts
APIs are critical to modern applications, and securing them is no longer optional. Choosing the right API security scanner depends on your organization’s security needs, development stage, and budget. Whether you need SAST for early detection, DAST for runtime security, or IAST for real-time analysis, the right tool can prevent costly breaches before they happen.
