Blockchain applications are known to be more efficient, faster, and better protected than other apps, but even they are more susceptible to data breaches than you’d think.
For instance, WazirX, a Mumbai-based cryptocurrency exchange, suffered a $230 million loss due to a force majeure event cyberattack. Even though they’re known for the safety of their platform, this was an attack beyond their control.
With the rapid growth of blockchain technology comes the increasing need to employ blockchain auditing companies to protect. This article will list some of the best blockchain auditing companies, the steps in blockchain auditing, and the features to look out for.
Best 11 Blockchain Security Testing Companies
- Astra Pentest
- Hacken
- Trail Of Bits
- Quantstamp
- PeckShield
- SlowMist
- Certik
- OpenZeppellin
- Consensys Diligence
- Armors
- Sigma Prime
Top 11 Blockchain Auditing Companies
1. Astra Pentest
Features:
- Scanner Capabilities: Blockchain, Web and Mobile Apps, Cloud, API, and Networks
- Accuracy: Zero False Positives Assured (Vetted Scans)
- Expert Remediation: Yes
- Continuous Monitoring: Yes (Smart Contract Audits and CI/CD integration)
- Cost: $199/month
Astra Pentest is one of the best blockchain security companies, providing manual and automated pentest services for blockchain, websites, mobile applications, cloud, networks, and APIs.
We at Astra incorporate automated scanning and manual testing, ensuring a thorough security assessment. This would ensure that different types of smart contracts, such as DAOs, DeFi protocols, and tokenized assets, are carefully checked.
Astra features an easy-to-use vulnerability management platform with our scanner testing for 9300+ test cases, updated fortnightly to include emerging vulnerabilities. Our platform generates detailed reports with risk scores that help you prioritize vulnerabilities, and our team provides helpful remediation guidance.
Integration with CI/CD pipelines and compliance scanning make Astra the right tool to streamline your DevSecOps. Astra increases your confidence in the blockchain ecosystem by maintaining the integrity and security of smart contracts—the backbone of this revolutionary technology.
Pros
- Continuous proactive security testing.
- CI/CD integration.
- Collaborative remediation with in-call assistance from security experts.
- Scan behind logged-in pages.
- Zero false positives.
- Optimized pentest for single-page apps.
Limitations
- No free trial (offers a $7/week trial).
- Minimal numbers of integration.
What Makes Astra the Best VAPT Solution?
- We’re the only company that combines automated & manual pentest to create a one-of-a-kind pentest platform.
- The Astra Vulnerability Scanner runs 9300+ tests to uncover every single vulnerability
- Vetted scans ensure zero false positives.
- Our intelligent vulnerability scanner emulates hacker behavior & evolves with every pentest.
- Astra’s scanner helps you shift left by integrating with your CI/CD.
- Our platform helps you uncover, manage & fix vulnerabilities in one place.
- Trusted by the brands you trust like Agora, Spicejet, Muthoot, Dream11, etc.
2. Hacken
Features:
- Scanner Capabilities: Blockchain scanning, smart contract
- Accuracy: False positives possible
- Expert Remediation: Yes
- Continuous Monitoring: Yes (offers Web3 bug bounty programs as well)
- Cost: Quote on request
Founded in 2017 by security specialists and white hat hackers, Hacken provides services such as educating people on ethical hacking to help them prevent cyberattacks.
Hacken has several products, including the Hackenproof BugBounty platform, with over 10,000 ethical hackers. Their portfolio includes over 700 projects, aside from which they continue to invest in blockchain security ecosystem development while launching other internal projects like hVPN and hPass.
Pros
- Structured and professional security testing.
- Cooperative customer support.
Limitations
- It can be a pricey blockchain auditing solution.
- Prices are only available on request.
3. Trail of Bits
Features:
- Scanner Capabilities: blockchain, mobile security, software assurance
- Accuracy: False positives are possible
- Expert Remediation: Yes
- Continuous Monitoring: No
- Cost: Quote on request
Since 2012, Trail of Bits has been a leading cybersecurity firm with an extensive client list that includes Adobe, Microsoft, Stripe, Reddit, and more. They provide security audits for blockchain, software hardening, infrastructure security, threat modeling, and cryptographic review.
At Trail of Bits, the staff doesn’t just focus on blockchain security but also creates tools to help developers and researchers identify and fix crucial vulnerabilities. Some notable tools they offer are Ethersplay, Slither, and Echidna.
Pros
- They offer reasonable software assurance.
- Research and development services to better serve clients.
- Comprehensive support for unique needs.
Limitations
- The tool is highly scalable.
- Easy to integrate.
- Great customer support.
4. Quantstamp
Features:
- Scanner Capabilities: Web3, Blockchains, smart contracts
- Accuracy: False positives possible
- Expert Remediation: Yes
- Continuous Monitoring: Yes (smart contract audits and bug bounty programs)
- Cost: Quote on Request
Quantstamp is globally renowned for its smart contract auditing, which has secured over $200B in value. Selected from tech giants such as Google, Facebook, Apple, and Ethereum Foundation – their team of experienced security professionals is the best in the industry.
Quantstamp employs security experts who can audit blockchains in any language. They develop financial backer services for ecosystems included in Layer 1 blockchains and specialize in auditing various systems and protocols, like Ethereum 2.0, Solana, and BNB Chain.
Pros
- Run by experienced security professionals.
- Can audit blockchains in any language.
Limitations
- It might not be a scalable solution.
5. PeckShield
Features:
- Scanner Capabilities: Blockchain, smart contracts
- Accuracy: False positives possible
- Expert Remediation: Yes
- Continuous Monitoring: Yes (threat monitoring and DAppTotal)
- Cost: Not mentioned
PeckShield is a China-based security and audit firm with international team members. In 2018, the company made a name for itself by uncovering issues such as BatchOverflow within Ethereum smart contracts.
It has a variety of blockchain technology experiences its team offers. Through its various threat monitoring services, DAppTotal and CoinHolmes, they provide end-to-end protection for all blockchain users.
Pros
- Audited big names in the industry, such as Aave, EOS, and Tron.
- Provides end-to-end protection for all blockchain users.
Limitations
- Limited blockchain coverage.
Astra Pentest is built by the team of experts that helped secure Microsoft, Adobe, Facebook, and Buffer
6. SlowMist
Features:
- Scanner Capabilities: Blockchain, smart contracts
- Accuracy: False positives possible
- Expert Remediation: No
- Continuous Monitoring: Yes (continuous scanning)
- Cost: Quote on request
SlowMist is a blockchain security firm founded in 2018. They have over a decade of experience in network security and helping secure some of the world’s most influential cryptocurrency exchanges, such as Binance, OKX, Huobi, Pancakeswap, and Crypto.com.
SlowMist also offers various security products, including MistTrack (a cryptocurrency tracker), Anti-money laundering (AML) software, Vulpush (vulnerability monitoring), and SlowMist Hacked (crypto hack archives).
Pros
- Partnered with security firms such as Akamai, Cloudflare, FireEye, and BitDefender.
- Offers a variety of products.
Limitations
- Only focuses on blockchain and smart contracts.
7. Certik
Features:
- Scanner Capabilities: Web and smart contract audits
- Accuracy: False positives possible
- Expert Remediation: Yes
- Continuous Monitoring: Yes
- Cost: Not available
Certik is a blockchain security company founded in 2018 by professors from Columbia and Yale. Certik uses formal verification and AI technology to provide end-to-end security audits for smart contracts.
By combining these two verification forms, they mathematically validate the safety of smart contracts—something that other companies have yet to perfect. They have established “CertiK Chain,” a security-centered blockchain that upgrades the safety of smart contracts.
Pros
- Audits for popular chains such as Terra, Polygon, and The Sandbox.
- Supported by well-known companies such as Coinbase and Golden Sachs.
Limitations
- No mentionable Limitations.
8. OpenZeppelin
Features:
- Scanner Capabilities: automation of smart contracts, blockchain security audits
- Accuracy: False positives possible
- Expert Remediation: No
- Continuous Monitoring: No
- Cost: Quote on request
OpenZeppelin sets a standard for secure blockchain applications. As a cybersecurity technology and services company, it is best known for its Solidity libraries and OpenZeppelin Contracts.
The SDK lets developers easily integrate OpenZeppelin’s libraries into their existing applications. Their “Ethernaut” game tests gamers’ ability to find vulnerabilities in smart contracts. The Defender service helps projects automate contract administration by creating automated scripts.
Pros
- Easy integration with OpenZeppelin libraries
- Provide free services like “Defender.”
- Automation of contract administration
- Free solution
Limitations
- No particular limitations
9. Consensys Diligence
Features:
- Scanner Capabilities: Blockchain, Ethereum smart contracts
- Accuracy: False positives possible
- Expert Remediation: No
- Continuous Monitoring: No
- Cost: Price on Request
Consensys is dedicated to creating innovative blockchain applications and software for the Ethereum network. Consensys’ Diligence cybersecurity product performs detailed security analyses of smart contracts so projects can deploy their Ethereum application without worry.
They provide blockchain security analysis tools and experienced, competent contract auditors who work together to achieve customer goals. The firm has protected over 100 blockchain companies and uncovered over 200 issues.
Pros
- Worked on more than 100 projects with support from experienced auditors.
- It has other services like fuzzing and scribble.
Limitations
- Deployment time is easily affected.
10. Armors
Features:
- Scanner Capabilities: Blockchain code, smart contracts
- Accuracy: False positives are possible
- Expert Remediation: No
- Continuous Monitoring: Yes (continuous scanning)
- Cost: Quote on Request
Armors was founded in 2017 and is engaged in implementing a technological analysis of blockchain security.
Armors partners with exchanges such as OKEX, Binance, Bybit, Huobi, Bitfinex, Kucoin, MXC, Bibox, etc., to provide code audit services to its partners. It also partners with other services such as Polygon, Solana, and Ethereum.
Pros
- Provides security audit, penetration testing, and cross-chain migration.
- It also provides platform security for over 2,000 blockchain applications
Limitations
- Pricing not mentioned
11. Sigma Prime
Features:
- Scanner Capabilities: Blockchain, smart contracts
- Accuracy: High accuracy due to focus on research and development
- Expert Remediation: Yes, they offer remediation guidance
- Continuous Monitoring: No, primarily focused on audits
- Cost: Quote on request
Sigma Prime is a blockchain security and research firm specializing in Ethereum smart contract security assessments. Their contributions to Ethereum 2.0 development include the creation of the Lighthouse client.
They provide deep security auditing, where expert researchers locate probable vulnerabilities. This research emphasis has driven their high accuracy rates.
Pros:
- Expertise in Ethereum and smart contract security
- Strong research foundation
- In-depth audit reports
Limitations:
- Primarily focused on the Ethereum ecosystem
- Limited information on pricing publicly available
The Critical Role of Smart Contract Audits
Smart contracts are agreements executed automatically and have the contract conditions encoded into the code. These agreements control billions of dollars in decentralized independent organizations and money. However, flaws in these contracts can lead to devastating financial losses.
Blockchain auditing firms seem to be one of the most requisite needs in protection against the blockchain ecosystem. They audit various kinds of smart contracts to look out for vulnerabilities, such as:
- Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs): These complex structures require in-depth audits to avoid mismanagement of funds and exploitation.
- DeFi Protocols: These contracts manage much money and are prone to hacking. Audits are carried out to detect issues such as reentrancy and overflow errors.
- Token Contracts: The success of token projects depends on accurate token distribution, proper governance mechanisms, and robust security features.
- Exchange Contracts: Complex trading logic and matching orders allow rigorous auditing to detect market manipulation and avoid financial losses.
These and other types of smart contracts ensure security and integrity for participants, thanks to auditing firms that help establish trust in the blockchain industry and minimize possible risks for its participants.
Steps In Blockchain Auditing
1. Scope of Testing
Always define your audit goals before you begin the testing process with a blockchain auditor. You can also narrow down the scope of testing to several smaller goals related to different security areas and your specific needs.
2. Detection and Identification of Vulnerabilities
The next step is to review the code of the blockchain system or smart contract, which involves analyzing the code structure, logic, and flow to identify potential vulnerabilities. Manual code review and automated tools such as static analysis can be used to perform this step.
3. Exploitation
Once the code has been reviewed, it must be tested to identify potential vulnerabilities or weaknesses. This can include unit, integration, and stress testing, among others. A combination of automated and manual testing methods is usually used here to increase the reliability of the test.
4. Reporting
Finally, the results of the blockchain audit need to be compiled into a detailed report that identifies potential security risks and vulnerabilities and provides recommendations for addressing these issues. Share this report with stakeholders, the development team, and relevant regulatory bodies.
5. Remediation & Rescans
Based on the findings in the report, the developers collaborate with the testers to ensure that the vulnerabilities are remediated as quickly and efficiently as possible, and they formulate a rescan schedule to maintain continuous security.
Factors in Choosing the Right Blockchain Auditing Company
Expertise
One of the most important factors to consider when choosing a blockchain auditing company is its expertise. Look for a company with experience auditing blockchain systems and smart contracts and a team of cybersecurity professionals with expertise in various areas such as cryptography, network security, and software engineering.
Reputation
It’s also important to consider the blockchain auditing company’s reputation. Choose a company with a strong industry reputation and that has worked with known clients. You can check reviews and testimonials from previous clients to get an idea of their experience working with the company.
Blockchain Coverage
Consider the range of blockchain platforms that the auditing company can audit. Some companies specialize in auditing specific blockchain platforms, such as Ethereum, while others may be able to audit a broader range of platforms.
Transparency
Find a company with a transparent auditing process and methodology. The auditing company should provide detailed reports and findings to its clients and be open to answering any questions you may have about its process.
Cost
Cost is also an essential factor to consider when choosing a blockchain auditing company. Prioritize finding a company that offers flexible pricing options based on the scope and complexity of the project, and consider your budget when making a decision.
Customer support
Finally, consider the level of customer support that the auditing company provides. Look for a responsive company that is easy to communicate with and provides ongoing support throughout the auditing process and beyond.
Final Thoughts
The growing blockchain landscape requires strong security measures to maintain the integrity of smart contracts. In this blog, we discussed the critical role of auditing companies in discovering and partially preventing associated threats.
Taking the onus of a comprehensive blockchain audit against protecting your digital possessions and the general maintenance of trust is extremely important.
Comparing the different blockchain auditing companies can help improve your blockchain project’s security profile, prevent risks, and ensure a high level of security.
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FAQs
What are the best companies for blockchain auditing?
Astra Security, Hacken, Trail of Bits, and Quantstamp are among the leading blockchain auditing companies. They offer comprehensive security assessments and expert services to protect digital assets.
What are the benefits of blockchain auditing?
Blockchain auditing helps identify and mitigate vulnerabilities in smart contracts and other blockchain components, protecting digital assets and enhancing a project’s overall security posture.
How long does a blockchain audit take?
The duration of a blockchain audit typically ranges from 2 to 15 days, depending on the project’s complexity, the size of the codebase, and the specific audit scope.