6 Best API Security Tools (2026)
Compare 6 API security tools for 2026. Discover shadow APIs, test for OWASP API Top 10 vulnerabilities, and protect against BOLA and authentication bypass.
What is API Security?
APIs are the backbone of modern applications.
While DAST tools can test APIs to some extent, dedicated API security tools go deeper — testing for broken authentication, excessive data exposure, rate limiting issues, and business logic flaws specific to API architectures.
With the rise of API-first development and microservices, this category has become essential for any serious AppSec program.
The scale of API security incidents is staggering. According to Salt Security’s 2025 State of API Security Report, 28% of organizations have experienced an API breach with sensitive data compromised, and 88% of attack attempts leverage one or more OWASP API Top 10 methods. In Q3 2025 alone, researchers identified 1,602 API-related vulnerabilities, a 20% increase from the previous quarter. Only 14% of organizations currently have an API posture governance strategy in place, leaving most enterprises exposed.
“APIs are no longer just plumbing — they are the product,” says Corey Ball, author of Hacking APIs and API security researcher. “Every API endpoint is a potential attack surface, and most organizations don’t even know how many APIs they have.”
Advantages
- • Focused on API-specific vulnerabilities
- • Tests business logic flaws (BOLA, BFLA)
- • Runtime protection capabilities
- • API discovery finds shadow APIs
Limitations
- • May overlap with DAST tools
- • Requires API documentation/specs
- • Can be complex to configure
- • Runtime agents add latency
OWASP API Security Top 10
The OWASP API Security Top 10 identifies the most critical risks to test for:
Broken Object Level Authorization (BOLA)
APIs exposing endpoints that handle object identifiers, allowing attackers to access other users' data by manipulating IDs. The most common API vulnerability.
Broken Authentication
Weak authentication mechanisms that allow attackers to compromise authentication tokens or exploit implementation flaws.
Broken Object Property Level Authorization
APIs exposing object properties that should be hidden from users, enabling mass assignment and excessive data exposure.
Unrestricted Resource Consumption
Missing or inadequate rate limiting and resource quotas that enable denial of service or cost attacks.
Broken Function Level Authorization
APIs failing to restrict access to administrative or privileged functions based on user roles.
Unrestricted Access to Sensitive Business Flows
Attackers automating access to business flows (like purchasing or booking) without proper controls.
Quick Comparison of API Security Tools
| Tool | USP | Type | License |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free / Open Source | |||
| Akto | 1000+ security tests, Gartner-recognized | Testing | Open Source |
| Freemium | |||
| 42Crunch | OpenAPI spec audit & conformance | Testing | Freemium |
| APIsec | AI-powered API pentesting platform | Testing | Freemium |
| Commercial | |||
| Salt Security | AI/ML-powered API discovery | Runtime | Commercial |
| Traceable AI | API discovery with data tracking | Both | Commercial |
| Cequence Security | API security + bot management | Runtime | Commercial |
| Akamai API Security | Full API lifecycle, 20% of Fortune 500 | Both | Commercial |
| Wallarm | Integrated WAF + API protection | Runtime | Commercial |
API Security Testing vs Runtime Protection
Like AI security, API security tools fall into two categories:
| Aspect | API Testing | API Runtime Protection |
|---|---|---|
| When it runs | Before deployment | In production |
| Purpose | Find vulnerabilities in API design | Block attacks, detect anomalies |
| Examples | 42Crunch, Akto, APIsec | Salt Security, Cequence, Wallarm |
| Input needed | OpenAPI specs, traffic samples | Live traffic |
| Best for | Development and QA | Production monitoring |
My recommendation: Use API testing tools in CI/CD to catch issues early. Add runtime protection for production APIs that handle sensitive data or are publicly exposed.
Market Changes
The API security market has seen significant consolidation and growth:
Noname Security → Akamai (2024)
Akamai acquired Noname Security in June 2024. Now Akamai API Security is one of the most comprehensive enterprise solutions, used by 20% of Fortune 500 companies.
Open Source Emergence
Akto has emerged as a strong open-source alternative, recognized by Gartner in their 2024 Market Guide for API Protection. Free self-hosted deployment with 1000+ security tests.
Market Leaders
Cequence Security was named Leader in the 2025 KuppingerCole Leadership Compass for API Security. Salt Security and Traceable AI remain strong contenders in the enterprise space.
How to Choose an API Security Tool
Testing vs Runtime Protection
For pre-deployment testing, look at 42Crunch, Akto, or APIsec. For runtime protection and anomaly detection, consider Salt Security, Cequence, or Traceable AI.
API Discovery Needs
If you have shadow APIs or need to inventory existing APIs, Salt Security, Traceable AI, and Akamai API Security offer traffic-based discovery. 42Crunch works better when you already have API specs.
Integration with Existing Tools
If you use Burp Suite for web testing, it has solid API testing capabilities. Some organizations add dedicated API tools on top for deeper coverage.
Compliance Requirements
If you need to demonstrate API security for compliance (PCI DSS, HIPAA), look for tools that generate compliance-ready reports. Enterprise tools like Akamai API Security and Cequence excel here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is API security?
What is the OWASP API Security Top 10?
How is API security different from DAST?
Do I need a separate API security tool?
What is API discovery?
Explore Other Categories
API Security covers one aspect of application security. Browse other categories in our complete tools directory.
Suphi Cankurt is an application security enthusiast based in Helsinki, Finland. He reviews and compares 129 AppSec tools across 10 categories on AppSec Santa. Learn more.