Top 11 API Security Testing Tools: Reviews, Pros & Cons [2025]

Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) enable seamless communication between diverse systems. Since they connect multiple parts of the system, APIs automatically become a soft target for attackers. That’s why companies are looking for API security testing tools to safeguard their important digital assets. 

A recent Fortune Business Insights reports  the global API security testing tools market at USD 836.4 million in 2023 and expects it to cross USD 9,655.1 million by 2032, at the Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 31.4%. This kind of surge shows how APIs have become a critical security threat for organizations. 

In this blog, we have curated a list of 11 best API scanners, types of API security testing tools, their key features, pros, cons, online review score, and things to consider while selecting a scanner. 

Understanding API Security

API security testing means systematically evaluating APIs to identify and mitigate potential security vulnerabilities before attackers exploit them. As they have rapidly proliferated in every aspect of the digital landscape, testing them has become more crucial than ever. OWASP lists top API security risks, such as broken object level authorization, broken function level authorization, security misconfigurations, and excessive data exposure. It also tests third-party APIs,  and shadow APIs. 

But the scope of API security testing is not limited to such obvious vulnerabilities only, it also tests API-related security gaps that are not so easily visible. 

Let’s understand this with a few examples: 

Example # 1 Unfiltered Input Values

Some API-related vulnerabilities are subtle and they can easily be missed during the testing process. For example, APIs within an application may accept unexpected inputs, such as negative numbers or overly long strings without server-side validation. Hackers can exploit this vulnerability to modify business logic in such a way that they get credit instead of paying on buying the product. 

Example # 2 Excessive Trust in Client-side Validation

Many applications rely heavily on client-side validation to implement business rules without caring that attackers can intercept and modify API requests. They can even manipulate price parameters like  prices or quantities to gain unauthorized discounts or purchase items at incorrect prices. 

API scanners identify and detect these obvious and subtle vulnerabilities using DAST (Dynamic Application Security Testing) and SAST (Static Application Security Testing) tools. But not all API tools are the same. 

In the subsequent section, we’ll explain different types of API scanning tools, their focus area, pros and cons in detail.

Types of API Security Testing Tools

Since not all APIs are the same, neither are API scanners. APIs are of different types, like REST, SOAP, GraphQL, and gRPC. They have distinct data formats, communication protocols, and security models. If an API scanner has been designed for the REST APIs, it will not effectively scan vulnerabilities in test GraphQL or SOAP APIs. Therefore, API scanners come in different varieties to serve different security purposes. 

Before selecting the right scanner, let’s first understand different types of API scanners and their functions: 

1. Static Application Security Testing (SAST) for API Code

The primary security focus of SAST tools is to scan source code or binaries to identify vulnerabilities, such as hardcoded secrets, insecure coding, and misconfigurations before deployment.

Key capabilities of SAST scanners:

• Performs in-depth code analysis without executing the API
• Integrates with CI/CD pipelines for early detection
• Supports multiple programming languages and frameworks

Pros of SAST scanners:

• Identifies vulnerabilities early in the development stage, reducing cost of fixes
• Provides detailed code-level insights for developers

Cons of SAST scanners:

• Cannot detect runtime or environment-specific issues
•  Relatively higher false positives requiring manual review

2. Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST)

The primary security focus of DAST tools is to detect runtime vulnerabilities such as injection, authentication flaws, and business logic errors. 

Key capabilities of DAST scanners:

• Performs black-box testing without source code access
• Automated scanning 
• API endpoint discovery

Pros of SAST scanners: 

• Detects real exploitable vulnerabilities during execution
• Useful for testing deployed or staging environments

Cons of DAST scanners: 

• Limited visibility into internal code logic
• May miss complex business logic vulnerabilities

3. Interactive Application Security Testing (IAST)

IAST scanners blend the capabilities of SAST and DAST tools.  

Key capabilities of IAST scanners:

• Scans deep inside the runtime environment for precise detection
• Integration with development workflows
• Low false positive rates due to contextual awareness.

Pros of IAST scanners: 

• More accurate and comprehensive vulnerability detection
• Supports continuous testing in CI/CD pipelines

Cons of IAST scanners: 

• Requires deployment inside the application environment
• Can be more complex and costly to implement

4. API Security Posture and Runtime Protection Tools

The primary security focus of API security and runtime protection tools is to identify shadow APIs, monitor traffic, and detect anomalies or attacks in real-time to prevent breaches and misuse. 

Key capabilities of API runtime protection tools:

• API inventory and classification
• Real-time traffic analysis and anomaly detection
• Supports multiple API protocols (REST, GraphQL, SOAP, gRPC)

Pros of API runtime protection tools: 

• Provides ongoing protection and threat detection in production.
• Identifies shadow or forgotten APIs

Cons of API runtime protection tools::

• Limited active vulnerability scanning capabilities
• Can generate false alerts and require tuning

Why API Testing Tools Matter

Benefits of API Security Scanners includes the following: 

• Cost saving: Saves costs by automating tests and early issue detection.
• Improves efficiency: Automates routine tasks and saves time by reducing manual effort.
• Comprehensive coverage: Tests various scenarios and edge cases more thoroughly than manual testing.
• Early bug detection: Identifies issues early in the development cycle, reducing costs and effort for fixes.
• Continuous integration: Integrates seamlessly with CI/CD pipelines for rapid feedback and quality assurance.
• Enhances scalability: Simulates heavy user traffic and stress test APIs under various load conditions.
• Language independence: Supports multiple programming languages and data formats like JSON and XML.
• Performance optimization: Identifies bottlenecks and improves API response times.
• Consistency: Ensures reliable and repeatable test results across different iterations.

How API Security Testing Tools Work

API security testing tools employ various techniques to ensure the security and reliability of APIs. Following is an overview of how API security testing tools typically work:

1. Detection and Analysis

API security testing starts with detecting and analyzing the API endpoints. The process involves:

• Scans API endpoints to identify potential vulnerabilities
• Analyzes API specifications, such as OpenAPI (formerly Swagger) or GraphQL schemas
• Reviews API documentation to understand expected inputs and outputs

2. Conducts Testing

API security tools utilize several testing approaches to detect vulnerabilities.  Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) scans APIs by sending diverse requests and then analyzes how they respond to risks like SQL injection and broken authentication.

On the other hand, Static Analysis Security Testing (SAST) inspects source code directly, identifying insecure coding patterns and risky dependencies—all without running the application. 

Fuzz testing, meanwhile, bombards APIs with unexpected inputs, aiming to trigger crashes or reveal hidden flaws. By combining these methods, security teams gain a robust defense against a wide range of threats.

3. Identifies vulnerabilities

API security testing tools assess various types of vulnerabilities, including:

• Authentication and authorization flaws
• Data validation issues
• Improper error handling
• Broken access control
• Injection attacks
• Security misconfigurations.

4. Reporting and remediation

After completing the tests, these tools typically:

• Generate detailed reports of identified vulnerabilities
• Provide severity ratings and remediation recommendations
• Offer integration with development workflows for easier bug tracking and fixing

5. Continuous monitoring

Many API security testing tools offer continuous monitoring capabilities:

• Regularly scanning APIs for new vulnerabilities
• Alerting teams to changes in API behavior or newly introduced risks
• Integrating with CI/CD pipelines for automated security checks.

6. Checks compliance

API security testing tools often help ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations by:

• Checking for adherence to security best practices
• Verifying that APIs meet specific compliance requirements
• Generating compliance reports for auditing purposes.

Selecting API Security Tools: Key Things to Consider

Selecting API tools is not like buying a product on Amazon. It’s a tedious process and requires in-depth technical and business evaluation. Your approach should be to choose solutions that integrate seamlessly with  CI/CD pipelines, offer low false positives, and provide actionable remediation guidance. 

Additionally, look for features like automated API discovery, fine-grained access control, and support for complex API workflows to catch subtle logic vulnerabilities effectively.

• API discovery and inventory management: The first step in any API security process involves preparing a detailed API inventory of all API endpoints, including shadow APIs. It helps improve visibility of the entire API attack surface, while ensuring no endpoints get overlooked. 

• Vulnerability detection and prioritization: A good scanner should detect a wide range of API vulnerabilities, including OWASP API Top 10 vulnerabilities. It should prioritize vulnerability findings on the basis of risk severity.  

• Business logic testing: To detect more sophisticated vulnerabilities, pentesters need to simulate real-world attack scenarios to identify complex business logic flaws. It includes testing for authorization bypass, workflow manipulation, and abuse of API functionality. Traditional API scanners can miss such flaws.  

• Authentication and authorization validation: A powerful API security scanner can validate authentication mechanisms, like OAuth 2.0, JWT, and API keys to ensure proper access controls. It can perform authenticated scans to identify hidden vulnerabilities in API verification and authorization. 

• Data exposure and sensitive information leakage detection: The API scanner you select should analyze API responses and payloads to detect inadvertent exposure of sensitive data, such as personally identifiable information (PII), credentials, or tokens. It will  help comply with GDPR and PCI-DSS regulations. 

• Rate limiting and anti-automation features: Modern scanners need to verify whether APIs can withstand brute force, credential stuffing, or denial-of-service attacks. Such features allow them to enforce usage limits and detect anomalous traffic patterns.

• Integration with development workflows: Seamless integration with CI/CD pipelines, source code repositories, and issue tracking systems is required to enable continuous, automated security testing in the early stage of development lifecycle. 

• Developer-friendly remediation guidance: Reports should contain clear depiction of vulnerabilities, risk prioritization, and remediation recommendations. Make sure that it is not vague and is developer friendly.   

• Support for modern API architectures: Make sure the scanner works with REST, GraphQL, and gRPC. Many apps mix these formats, so the tool should scan them all without missing anything. It should also handle versioning, nested queries, and authentication methods used in real-world APIs.

• Documentation format: Good scanners make it easy to export what auditors want without extra effort. Look for formats your compliance team uses, like PDFs, JSON, or direct integrations with audit platforms.

• False positive management: Too many false alerts slow everyone down. Look for scanners that let you mark, ignore, or fine-tune these, so real issues don’t get buried. Custom rules or whitelisting can save hours and help teams focus only on real security problems.

• Deployment complexity: Choose a scanner that’s quick to set up. If it takes weeks, that’s a problem. Ask how long typical installs take, and whether it needs agents, custom scripts, or heavy configuration.

• Performance impact and scalability: The tool shouldn’t slow down your APIs or crash under load. Test it in high-traffic conditions. Scanners should scale with traffic spikes and avoid adding latency during real-time scans.

• Coverage of legacy and modern APIs: Does it handle old and new APIs—SOAP, REST, GraphQL—without skipping key endpoints or misreading structures? Look whether it supports XML, outdated auth methods, and legacy paths. 

• Support for cloud-native environments: Most APIs often live in containers or serverless setups. Therefore, a scanner should run where your code runs. Look for Kubernetes support, CI/CD integration, and compatibility with multi-cloud or hybrid setups.
  
• Support and SLAs: Good vendors offer clear service agreements and support that doesn’t keep you waiting. Carefully evaluate response time, escalation paths, and whether support is 24/7 or limited to business hours.

Top 11 API Security Scanners of 2025

Below is a list of top API scanning tools, along with a brief overview, key features, pros & cons, pricing, and online review score: 

1. BugDazz API Security Scanner

BugDazz API Security Scanner is a powerful API testing platform developed by SecureLayer7. The tool offers vast coverage, real-time results and easy remediation workflows with detailed reports. It’s a relatively new product in the market and,therefore, it has been designed and developed to plug the shortcomings in the currently available API scanners in the market.

The best thing about BugDazz API scanner is it scans beyond OWASP Top API security risks. It tests for rate limiting, JWT token security, session management, data validation, business logic flaws, data integrity,  OAuth, and more.

Key features of BugDazz API Security Scanner: 

• Continuous API discovery, uncovering unknown, shadow, orphaned, and outdated APIs for comprehensive visibility.
• Granular user roles and permissions to ensure secure access control 
• Reports in multiple formats, such as PDF, Excel, and HTML
• Customizable alerts and notifications 
• pre-configured and customizable templates
• Contextual insights on API vulnerabilities
• Strategic patch recommendations to ensure application security

Pros:

• Intuitive interface tailored for agile development teams
• Automated vulnerability scanning and detailed reporting
• Integration with popular CI/CD pipelines
• Intuitive interface and customizable features
• Integrates seamlessly with Slack, Jira, GitHub, and more 
• Comprehensive coverage and actionable insights into potential vulnerabilities

Cons:

• Limited support for niche frameworks.
• High learning curve for manual testing features.

Price:

• Pricing starts at $3999/year per user
• Free trial available.  

 Online Review Score: 

According to Gartner Peer Insights and G2, SecureLayer7 holds a perfect 5.0 rating across all key parameters. Most users praise its deep testing capabilities, ability to integrate in the CI/CD pipeline, responsive support, and easy-to-understand reports.

2. Wallarm

Wallarm API scanner is counted among leading API scanners, offering a unified platform for API and agentic AI security. It  provides protection from API abuse, API leaks, and AI-driven API attacks. Powered with robust API vulnerability scanning, AI-powered threat detection, and a user-friendly platform, it can be a go-to choice for organizations looking for a suitable tool for API security. 

Key features of Wallarm: 

• Automated API discovery 
• Multi-cloud, cloud native and on-premise environment 
• Real-time threat detection and blocking
• Seamless OpenAPI integration
• Data leak and secret exposure detection
• Supports multiple API protocols, such as REST, SOAP, gRPC CI/CD pipeline integration
• Attack surface management

Pros: 

• On-premise data analysis 
• End-to-end API security 
• Automated testing and risk assessment
• Reduced false positives
• No-code, SaaS deployment
• Integrates with existing workflow

Cons:

• Advanced features require higher-tier plan
• Managed service not included by default
• Setup and maintenance can require security expertise

Pricing:

• Pricing info not publicly available

Online Review Score: 

Overall, its rating lies between 4.4-4.6 out of 5. Users had positive opinions about the product and they highly recommended it.

3. Traceable By Harness

Traceable is an award winning API security tool that automates API discovery, posture management, threat detection, and protection. Powered with AI and machine learning, it supports  API security across on-premises, cloud, and hybrid environments. 

It embeds security in the development workflow without disrupting developer’s velocity. It provides full API discovery with complete context, while providing risk prioritization based on APIs runtime behavior. 

Key features of Traceable API scanner: 

• Contextual behavioral analytics
• AI/ML-powered anomaly and vulnerability detection
• Data exfiltration 
• Flexible deployment: SaaS, on-premises, multi-cloud

Pros: 

• Context-aware detection 
• No dependency on OpenAPI specs for discovery
• Scalable for various environments
• Lack of granular reporting as reported by some online reviewers 

Cons: 

• Steep learning curve 
• Scalable but costly as reported by users 
• Complex environments may need tailored deployment
• Pricing not publicly listed 

Pricing:

• Quotation-based; pricing not publicly mentioned
• Free trial available, no credit card required

Online Review Score: 

• G2: 4.7 
• Gartner: 4.6

4. Salt Security

Salt Security API Protection Platform is a primarily an API Runtime protection tool that blends some DAST features as well. It possesses advanced capabilities tailored for modern API environments. 

Loaded with power-packed features, it can analyze live API traffic, detect vulnerabilities and attacks in real time, and provides runtime protection and analytics. 

It can, like Salt Security, operate on running applications and APIs, simulating attacker behaviour to identify exploitable vulnerabilities. It holds the patent for blocking API attacks. 

Key features of Salt Security API scanner: 

• Automated discovery of shadow and zombie APIs
• AI/ML-driven threat detection and attack prevention
• Security posture management with detailed insights and remediation guidance

Pros:

• Reduces alert fatigue with consolidated, context-rich alerts
• No performance impact; out-of-band deployment

Cons

• Advanced features requires security expertise to configure 
• Pricing not publicly listed
• Not suitable 
• Complex integration

Pricing: 

• Not publicly available 
• Free trial available 

Online Review Score:

It scores 4.7 on Gartner Peer Insights and most of the tool users reviewed Salt Security positively for its advanced AI-driven threat detection, ease of setup, and effective protection, its accuracy and low false positives. However, some users complained about the steep learning curve and expensive cost. Overall, they recommended it for enterprises looking for a robust and scalable API security. 

5. Noname (Akmai)

Noname API Security Platform, now acquired by Akmai security, provides a comprehensive solution for securing all kinds of APIs endpoints, while helping them monitor real-time traffic, detect vulnerabilities and misconfigurations using AI. It can actively test APIs before deployment. Noname is especially popular among large enterprises. 

Key features of Noname (Akamai) API scanner: 

• Automated discovery.
• AI-driven detection of vulnerabilities  .
• Real-time threat protection
• Integration with SIEM, WAF, and gateways
• Active testing of APIs throughout the development lifecycle.

Pros: 

• Customizable 
• Easy to use dashboard 
• Comprehensive discovery capability 

Cons: 

• Complex Setup and configuration 
• Detection relies on network logs that can misst inactive APIs
• False positives and alert fatigue..

Pricing: 

• Entry-level package starts at $150,000 per year.
• No free tier
• Enterprise focused pricing model

Online Review Score:

Typically rated between 4.5 and 4.7 on various review platforms. Overall, users recognize it for strong API security, ease of onboarding, and comprehensive protection with a customer-centric approach. 

6. Imperva

Imperva is counted among leading API security testing platforms providing continuous API discovery and classification. Packed with automation and machine learning, it can detect vulnerabilities, prevent data leaks, and defend against common API threats. Its most standout features include in-depth API endpoints discovery of all types of APIs. 

Key features of Imperva API scanner : 

• Automated discovery and classification of APIs 
• Real-time threat detection  against OWASP API Top Ten
• Allows to define custom security rules 
• Sensitive data classification
• Flexible cloud deployment options for diverse infrastructures

Pros:

• 360 -degree visibility  of APIs 
• Automated risk assessment 

Cons:

• Complex initial setup 
• Opting with Imperva WAF integration can raise the overall cost
• Noisy alert tuning 
• Advanced features may require higher-tier plans
• Resolution time can be slow as reported by some users 

Pricing:

• No publicly listed pricing or free trial

Online Review Score:

Typically, Imperva API Security scores around 4.5-4.6 on Gartner Peer Insights and G2. Most users appreciate its comprehensive coverage, granular policy, and ease of use. However, some users pointed towards expensive and slow customer support response times. 

Overall, it’s recommended for enterprises seeking robust API security testing capability. 

7. Cequence

Cequence API Security is a powerful DAST-based unified API protection platform, designed to help companies in API security posture management. It helps spot vulnerabilities in APIs, which can cause governance, compliance, and other types of risks in the source code.It enables you to set up both pre-made and custom rules to assess risk. Additionally, users can build it into CI/CD pipelines or run it on its own. 

Key features of Cequence API scanner: 

• Auto-discovery of all APIs
• Visualize API traffic flow 
• AI-driven detection of OWASP API Top 10 risks
• Runtime API testing with auto OpenAPI generation
• Flexible deployment options that doesn’t require any app instrumentation, or modification
• SaaS, on-premises, hybrid options

Pros:

• No code changes needed
• Supports with managed API security testing services
• CI/CD integration for continuous testing
• Context-aware alerts reduce false positives

Cons: 

• Complex setup for large environments
• Pricing info not available 
• Best for mature security teams

Pricing:

• Custom quotes only
• Free trial: Yes

Online Review Score: 

Cequence Security scores an impressive 4.5 to 4.7 on various review platforms. Most reviewers spoke positively about its smooth onboarding, comprehensive API discovery, and threat mitigation capabilities.

8. 42Crunch

42Crunch specializes in API security testing and helps find and fix API-specific weak spots. It comes with some power-packed features like hands-on testing, fuzzy-testing from API contracts, open source deployment, and creating reports to show you’re following the rules. You can also plug 42Crunch into your CI/CD setup to keep checking for security issues as you go. 

Key features of 42Crunch API scanner:

• Automated runtime protection with micro-firewall deployed from API contract
• Automatic redeployment runtime protection policies
• Integrates seamlessly with development repositories
• Seamless integration into IDEs, CI/CD, and developer workflows for shift-left security

Pros: 

• Low false positives with precise, contract-based testing
• Automates security governance across distributed teams
• Enables proactive remediation early in the API lifecycle

Cons:

• Advanced features mainly in enterprise plans
• Initial setup and policy tuning can be complex

Pricing: 

• Custom quotes for enterprise plans
• Free tier available with limited features
• Starts with $15 per month for single user. Custom pricing for enterprise users available. 

Online Review Score:

It varies between 4.6 – 4.7 out of 5 on various review platforms. 

9. StackHawk

StackHawk is a modern DAST based API security testing platform designed to identify and remediate source code related vulnerabilities. It integrates seamlessly in the development workflow ensuring a secure code deployment, making it especially useful for DevSecOps. It has been designed especially for CI/CD workflow. 

Key features of StackHawk:

• Automated API security scanning
• Seamless integration with CI/CD pipelines
• Developer-friendly interface and tooling
• Real-time scanning during development stages
• Supports API formats REST, GraphQL, etc.
• Configuration-as-a-code support
• Integration with popular DevOps tools (e.g., GitHub Actions, Jenkins, CircleCI)
  

Pros: 

• Ease of integration 
• Round the clock support 
• Seamless integration 

Cons: 

• Manual setup slows onboarding
• Limited external API discovery
• No business logic checks
• Manual policy updates required
• Enterprise scaling challenges

Pricing: 

• The basic plan starts from $40 but minimum licenses of 20 required. 
• Only annual billing 
• Free trial available 

Online Review Score:

It varies between 4.5-4.8 and most of the user feedback is positive.

10. Orca Security

Orca Security is the cloud security company that provides instant-on, workload-level security for AWS, Azure, and GCP without the coverage gaps and alert fatigue caused by most AI agents. It’s a comprehensive  cloud-native posture management tool that continuously checks for misconfigurations, malware , location sensitive data, and lateral movement API security risks. 

Key features of Orca Security: 

• Agentless API discovery
• Cloud–based risk prioritization
• API drift and change detection
• Interactive API mapping
• Compliance framework support
• Multi-cloud compliance 

Pros:

• Fast, agentless deployment
• Automated API discovery
• Actionable, prioritized alerts
• Cloud context integration

Cons:

• No on-premise 
• Complex for non-cloud teams
• Custom enterprise pricing

Online Review Score: 

Mostly positive user reviews with average score around 4.6.

11. PortSwigger

PortSwigger  Burp Suite is one of the most recognized DAST tools for API security testing. It’s known for high-degree of customization. It blends automation with advanced manual testing capabilities. Packed with robust  vulnerability detection capabilities and CI/CD integration, it can adapt to complex workflows with ease. 

Key features of PortSwigger: 

• Automated attack surface mapping
• Built-in browser for SPA support
• OpenAPI, GraphQL, SOAP API scanning
• Custom scan checks (BChecks)
• Extensive extension library (BApp Store)

Pros:

• Comprehensive vulnerability detection
• customizable and extensible
• Active community and updates

Cons:

• Steep learning curve
• Expensive for small teams
• No native SAST integration

Pricing:

• Community Edition free

Online Review Score:

It varies between 4.7- 4.8 on various online software review platforms. Most of the users talked positively of the product.

Conclusion: Getting Started

APIs are crucial to a strong cybersecurity posture. By now, you have got enough information to start your search for an API security scanner. Your final decision should rest on your unique business needs, budget, and other factors. Prepare a list of what you need, understand your security environment, and then start looking for the right API scanner.

Ignoring API vulnerabilities can put your business at risk? Secure your APIs quickly and effectively with BugDazz API Scanner. Start your free trial  today! 

Frequently Asked Questions