Find AppSec Tools
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Your guide to finding the right application security tools. Honest comparisons across 11 categories to help you secure your software. 170+ tools reviewed independently.
Latest Research
Original studies backed by real data — not vendor surveys
AI-Generated Code Security Study 2026
I asked 6 LLMs to write Python and JavaScript code for common development tasks, then scanned the output with 5 open-source SAST tools. See which models produce the most secure code.
State of Open Source AppSec Tools 2026
I analyzed GitHub data for 64 open-source application security tools across 8 categories. See which projects have the most community traction, healthiest maintenance, and strongest adoption.
Security Headers Adoption Study 2026
I scanned 10,000+ websites to measure adoption rates of CSP, HSTS, and other security headers. See which headers are widely deployed and which remain rare.
Editor's Picks
Handpicked guides and studies from the AppSec Santa team
Test Your Security in Seconds
Free interactive tools to audit your website's security posture. No signup required.
Explore by topic
Deep-dive guides, tool comparisons, and best practices organized by security domain
API & AI Security
17 toolsA practitioner's guide to API security testing and AI/LLM security — covering OWASP API Top 10, API discovery, prompt injection, AI red teaming, and the tools that address both.
Application Security Testing
75 toolsUnderstand the four pillars of application security testing — SAST, DAST, IAST, and RASP — how they work, when to use each, and which tools lead the market in 2026.
Cloud & Infrastructure Security
15 toolsA practitioner's guide to securing cloud infrastructure — from IaC scanning and CSPM to CNAPP platforms, container security, and Kubernetes hardening.
DevSecOps & AppSec Programs
12 toolsHow to build and scale an application security program — from DevSecOps integration and ASPM platforms to security metrics, champion programs, and budget allocation.
Mobile Application Security
17 toolsA practitioner's guide to mobile application security testing — covering iOS and Android security, OWASP MASVS, reverse engineering protections, and the tools that secure mobile apps.
Software Supply Chain Security
28 toolsA practitioner's guide to securing your software supply chain — from SCA scanning and SBOM generation to dependency risk management and regulatory compliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about application security tools and testing
What is application security testing?
Application security testing (AST) is the process of finding and fixing security vulnerabilities in software before attackers exploit them. It includes techniques like Static Application Security Testing (SAST), which analyzes source code; Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST), which tests running applications from the outside; Software Composition Analysis (SCA), which checks third-party dependencies for known vulnerabilities; and Interactive Application Security Testing (IAST), which monitors applications during runtime. Most organizations use a combination of these methods to achieve comprehensive coverage.
What are the main types of application security tools?
There are 10 main categories of application security tools: SAST (static code analysis), SCA (open-source dependency scanning), DAST (dynamic web app testing), IAST (runtime instrumented testing), RASP (runtime application self-protection), API Security (API-specific vulnerability testing), AI Security (LLM and ML model protection), IaC Security (infrastructure-as-code scanning), ASPM (application security posture management), and Mobile Security (iOS/Android app testing). Each category addresses different phases of the software development lifecycle.
How do I choose the right application security tools?
Start by identifying your tech stack and the types of vulnerabilities you need to detect. SAST tools work best early in development for code-level bugs. SCA is essential if you use open-source dependencies (most modern apps do). DAST covers runtime vulnerabilities in deployed web applications. Consider your team size, budget, and CI/CD integration needs. Open-source tools like Semgrep, Trivy, and ZAP provide solid coverage at no cost. Commercial tools like Snyk, Checkmarx, and Veracode offer broader features and support. Most mature security programs use at least one tool from SAST, SCA, and DAST categories. See the AppSec Pricing Guide for detailed cost comparisons.
What is the difference between SAST, DAST, and SCA?
SAST (Static Application Security Testing) scans source code without running the application — it finds bugs like SQL injection and XSS in your own code. DAST (Dynamic Application Security Testing) tests running web applications from the outside by simulating real attacks — it catches configuration issues and runtime vulnerabilities that SAST misses. SCA (Software Composition Analysis) scans your third-party libraries and open-source dependencies for known CVEs. SAST is language-dependent and runs early in development. DAST is language-independent but requires a deployed application. SCA is critical because 70-90% of modern application code comes from open-source components. For a detailed breakdown, read the SAST vs DAST vs IAST comparison guide.