DevSecOps

The Top 11 Application Security Testing Solutions

Discover the Top Application Security Testing Solutions. Explore features such as detecting, testing, and continuous integration.

Last updated on Sep 06, 2024

Written by Mirren McDade

Technical review by Laura Iannini

The Top 11 Application Security Testing Solutions include:

1. Checkmarx One
2. Contrast Security
3. Cycode
4. GitHub Advanced Security
5. GitLab
6. HCL AppScan
7. OpenText Application Security
8. Sonar
9. Snyk Code
10. Synopsys
11. Veracode

Every business can benefit from a robust Application Security Testing (AST) solution. As businesses place more reliance on applications for daily operations, security breaches are more likely to cause significant operational and financial damage. AST solutions help identify, secure, and remediate these vulnerabilities in application code.

AST tools perform a series of tests to identify vulnerabilities and risks. Static Application Security Testing (SAST), Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST), and Interactive Application Security Testing (IAST) are among commonly implemented tests. AST key features often include code analyzer, API testing, and vulnerability management.

This list of the top AST solutions has been compiled based on a comprehensive overview of each solution, including their ease of integration, accuracy of vulnerability detection, integration with CI/CD pipeline, and vendor support. We would recommend using one of these solutions as part of a wider security infrastructure.

Checkmarx One

Checkmarx is a cloud-native application security solution that provides SAST, DAST, and AppSec capabilities within a single, streamlined, cloud-based platform. It offers integrated security testing and remediation tools across every stage of the development life cycle.

What We Like: Checkmarx’s strength lies in its ability to quickly identify and remediate critical vulnerabilities, all whilst integrating effortlessly into existing developer ecosystems. The platform provides AI-assisted remediation suggestions and presents a comprehensive AppSec view.

Best Features:

SAST and DAST capabilities enable a broad range of in-depth vulnerability scans
Seamless integration with CI/CD pipelines, development frameworks, IDEs, and SCMs
Support for over 50 programming languages including Python, PHP, and C++
CheckAI feature providing remediation suggestions and code scan plugin with ChatGPT

We Recommend: Developed for corporate environments, Checkmarx is well suited to enterprises seeking robust application security testing and efficiency-focused development solutions.

Contrast Security

Contrast Security offers two products: Contrast Assess for interactive application security testing (IAST); and Contrast Scan for static application security testing (SAST). Both employ real-time, continuous detection and code vulnerability prioritization.

What We Like: Contrast Assess provides a thorough understanding of application architecture, right down to the code trees and message flow. Contrast Scan supplements IAST scanning, allowing for specialized scrutiny of legacy application code.

Best Features:

Provides real-time, clear architecture diagrams and security tracing
Risk-analysis engine identifies exploitable vulnerabilities, ignoring irrelevant ones
Integration into various workflows, including pull requests and CI builds
Code-level remediation guidance that doesn’t require security expertise

We Recommend: Contrast Assess allows users to visualize application architecture, code trees, and message flow information. Contrast Scan provides a risk-based analysis engine that pinpoints exploitable vulnerabilities. Overall, Contrast Security is ideal for larger enterprises with a strong development focus, who prioritize application reliability and security.

Cycode

Cycode is an Application Security Posture Management (ASPM) solution that offers a comprehensive suite of application security testing tools. It provides rapid deployment and integration, aiding security and development teams in reducing application security risks across all code types.

What we like: Cycode simplifies compliance by automating evidence collection for audits and enables quick installation with existing developer workflows.

Best Features:

Granular security testing through (SAST), enabling detection of OWASP Top 10 vulnerabilities
Software Composition Analysis (SCA) helps to identify and remediate vulnerable dependencies, automate fixes, and prioritize critical vulnerabilities
Infrastructure as Code (IaC) scanning identifies configuration issues and creates automated pull requests for fixes, enhancing development efficiency
Container scanning traces vulnerabilities back to the source code, ensuring root causes are effectively addressed

We Recommend: This solution is ideal for organizations aiming to streamline their application security processes, comply with regulatory standards, and accelerate their development cycle. Its easy deployment helps make it suitable for organizations of all sizes.

GitHub Advanced Security

GitHub Advanced Security offers a Static Application Security Testing (SAST) approach. It uses AI capabilities to help developers identify and patch potential vulnerabilities in CodeQL, JavaScript, and TypeScript projects.

What We Like: The solution provides automated yet customizable security checks, with the ability to prioritize and triage fixes. Additionally, the functionality is already included for public GitHub projects.

Best Features:

AI-powered code scanning enables detection, prioritization, and correction of security vulnerabilities
CodeQL CLI is a standalone tool for code analysis and generating a database representation of the code base
Secret scanning for potential fraudulent use of secrets such as keys and tokens
Depend-a-bot alerts developers if their project has a dependency on a package with security vulnerabilities
Dependency review tool for preventing insecure dependencies and providing clear visualization of changes

We Recommend: This tool is ideal for developers and teams aiming to instil a proactive approach to application security. It delivers comprehensive, automated security solutions particularly for public repositories.

GitLab

GitLab offers integrated security testing within the software development lifecycle, including both Static and Dynamic Application Security Testing (SAST & DAST).

What We like: GitLab enables in-line vulnerability viewing within merge requests and supports a variety of languages, making it appealing to tech-savvy users.

Best Features:

Secret detection helps to avoid security breaches through rigorous checks for committed code secrets
Code quality checking promote clean code with CI/CD pipeline tests that screen for issues and complexity
Dependency Scanning allows you to uncover known vulnerabilities within an application’s dependencies, with the feature running on every code line

We Recommend: For smaller teams, GitLab Secure offers key functionalities in its Free and Premium versions. Larger enterprises looking for elevated vulnerability management and customization should consider GitLab Ultimate.

HCL AppScan

HCL AppScan is a comprehensive application security suite equipped with SAST, DAST, and IAST capabilities.

What We Like: HCL AppScan provides flexible deployment options across on-premises, cloud, and hybrid environments, and supports over 30 programming languages. It saves developer time with auto-fix capabilities and machine learning to reduce false positives.

Best Features:

SAST testing integrated with numerous DevOps tools
Auto detection and review of APIs
Inclusion of remediation guidance and auto-fix capabilities
IAST active monitoring of live applications and APIs
Automatically triggers additional checks to reduce false positives

We Recommend: HCL AppScan is ideal for large enterprises, particularly developers, DevOps, security teams, and CISOs seeking a comprehensive application security solution. It’s also beneficial for those wanting to secure both new and legacy code, including API security.

OpenText Application Security

OpenText AppSec Suite is a comprehensive cybersecurity solution set that offers Static Application Security Testing (SAST), Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST), Mobile Application Security Testing (MAST), and Interactive Application Security Testing (IAST).

What We Like: This solution integrates seamlessly into the developers’ toolkit, whilst also providing support for API identification and testing across any applications within hybrid settings.

Best Features:

Fortify Static Code Analyzer is able to pinpoint security flaws in the source code
Vulnerability management toolkit for open-source projects
Delivers cloud-based application security
Fortify WebInspect can identify vulnerabilities in deployed web applications

We Recommend: Given its scalability, OpenText Application Security Suite is suitable for organizations of varying sizes, although the solution is particularly suited for organizations using other OpenText solutions like Application Lifecycle Management (ALM) and Quality Center.

Sonar

Sonar’s suite offers Static Application Security Testing (SAST) solutions that are designed to improve code quality and maintain consistent standards. It includes SonarLint, SonarQube, and SonarCloud, all with a “clean as you code” approach.

What We Like: The suite effectively enhances the readability of both AI-generated and human-written code. It also offers an integrated solution, with all Sonar’s tools working together to uphold consistent code quality.

Best Features:

SonarLint is a free IDE plugin that offers on-the-fly analysis and quick fixes for coding issues.
SonarQube helps organizations comply with code security standards like NIST SSDF, complete with a secrets detection tool
The platform integrates seamlessly with cloud DevOps platforms, supports major programming languages, and offers immediate feedback on code

We Recommend: Commercial versions of SonarQube and SonarCloud offer “deeper SAST” capability, which empowers organizations to identify and resolve application code issues from third-party, open-source libraries. Sonar’s suite is suitable for both small teams and larger enterprises and is an excellent choice for organizations using GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, or Azure DevOps, and for open-source projects with its free community edition.

Snyk Code

Snyk Code is a SAST (Static Application Security Testing) solution designed to help developers secure code as it’s written, with an emphasis on user friendliness.

What We Like: The DeepCode AI feature of Snyk Code can secure code as quickly as AI coding assistants can generate it, plus, it’s adaptable with most popular languages, IDEs, CD/CD tools, and other systems.

Best Features:

Automated scanning directly from your IDE for accurate, actionable real-time advice
Instantaneous source code scanning eliminating the wait for SAST reports
AI/ML engine examines millions of open-source libraries
Prioritization of deployed or publicly exposed code issues
AI and human expert provided remediation advice

We Recommend: Snyk Code is a Leader in the 2023 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Application Security Testing. For individuals and small teams, Snyk Code offers a free plan. There are also paid plans available, suitable both for smaller organizations and larger enterprises.

Synopsys

Synopsys Software Integrity Suite offers robust application security testing through a combination of SAST, DAST, and IAST techniques. This comprehensive platform is designed for scalable and multi-faceted application security.

What We Like: The suite fits smoothly into any existing development ecosystem due to its scalability and extensive third-party integrations. It supports a large number of tools including SCM, IDEs, package managers, and vulnerability management tools.

Best Features:

Highly precise SAST scan results directly within developer’s native tools
WhiteHat Dynamic DAST for fast and accurate identification of website and application vulnerabilities
Seeker IAST for automated security testing for modern web applications, services, and API vulnerability detection
Sensitive-data tracking for ensuring compliance and security of critical information

We Recommend: Synopsys Software Integrity Suite is an ideal choice for businesses looking for in-depth and automated application security testing. Enterprises of any size, particularly those with larger applications or a complex development ecosystem, will find significant value in this suite.

Veracode

Veracode offers a cloud-based platform equipped with Static (SAST) and Dynamic (DAST) Application Security Testing features. It’s also coupled with an artificial intelligence solution, Veracode Fix, which provides instant coding solutions.

What We Like: Veracode stands out for its seamless integration into existing IDEs, CI/CD pipelines, custom APIs, and other developer tools. Its Veracode Fix feature, driven by AI, suggests coding fixes within seconds.

Best Features:

It will scan over 100 languages and frameworks at any stage of development
Presents high-priority threats upfront for prompt remediation
Thoroughly monitors the security measures of all applications from a single interface, providing reports and alerts to key users
Swiftly detects and resolves runtime vulnerabilities in web apps and APIs

We Recommend: Veracode has been adopted by over 2,500 companies globally and is a solid pick for larger enterprises, as the platform is designed with scalability in mind.

The Top 11 Application Security Testing Solutions

Everything You Need to Know About Application Security Testing Solutions (FAQs)

What Is An Application Security Testing Solution?

Application Security Testing refers to the process of identifying and mitigating software vulnerabilities. This process involves reviewing and analyzing an application to detect any potential vulnerable points, examining the code of the application as well as the infrastructure and architecture. Application Security Testing tools help to defend against a range of attack types, including scripting attacks, session hijacking, misconfigurations, unauthorized access, code injections, and even business logic errors.

Applications Security Testing is important as it makes it possible to anticipate and mitigate security risks by preventing malicious attacks and ensuring that the application is as robust as possible. This is a preventative approach that aims to reduce the possibility of vulnerability exploitation, rather than defending against active attacks.

These solutions integrate with development workflows to provide continuous security checks, so that applications remail secure throughout their lifecycle.

How Do Application Security Testing Solutions Work?

Application Security Testing solutions work by identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities within software applications, throughout all development and deployment stages. These solutions typically employ multiple different techniques, including static analysis, dynamic analysis, and interactive testing, to properly examine the source code, runtime behaviors, and application interactions.

These solutions help to detect security flaws like coding errors, possible exploits, and misconfigurations. They also provide detailed reports and remediation guidance that developers can use to fix issues before threat actors have the opportunity to exploit them. This proactive approach reduces cyber risks and helps to ensure that applications remain secure and compliant with industry standards.

Application Security Testing solutions are useful as they provide a way to identify and address vulnerabilities in software applications, avoiding security breaches and data loss.

What Features Should You Look For In An Application Security Testing Solution?

When choosing Application Security Testing Solutions, Expert Insights recommends looking for the following key features:

Precise Detection. This means the accurate identification of both known and unknown security vulnerabilities and flaws within the application. This is important as it minimizes the risk of false positives and false negatives, helping to ensure that real threats can be reliably identified by security assessments.
Comprehensive Testing. Thoroughly examining the application for a variety of security vulnerabilities across layers and components is important as this helps to ensure that risks are properly mitigated, leading to more robust cybersecurity defenses and better adherence with compliance regulations. Any solution you choose should be able to conduct SAST, DAST, and IAST testing.
Automated Scanning and Continuous Integration. The solution you choose should integrate seamlessly with CI/CD pipelines to automatically scan code for vulnerabilities at each stage of the applications development, ensuring that all security checks are undertaken as part of the regular development workflow.
Detailed Reporting and Remediation Guidance. Clear and detailed reports on vulnerability status, criticality, and remediation recommendations help developers to better understand issues and fix them efficiently.
Support. Any application security testing solution provider you pick should be able to provide extensive support across deployment and post-deployment processes.
Scalability. The ability to handle increasing volumes of applications and security tests as the organization evolves is essential for supporting larger development teams, more complex applications, and higher testing demands, without compromising on performance or accuracy. This adaptability is necessary for maintaining robust security practices within expanding and dynamic environments.

Mirren McDade

Senior Journalist & Content Writer

Mirren McDade is a senior writer and journalist at Expert Insights, spending each day researching, writing, editing and publishing content, covering a variety of topics and solutions, and interviewing industry experts. She is an experienced copywriter with a background in a range of industries, including cloud business technologies, cloud security, information security and cyber security, and has conducted interviews with several industry experts. Mirren holds a First Class Honors degree in English from Edinburgh Napier University.

Laura Iannini

Cybersecurity Analyst

Laura Iannini is an Information Security Engineer. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Cybersecurity from the University of West Florida. Laura has experience with a variety of cybersecurity platforms and leads technical reviews of leading solutions. She conducts thorough product tests to ensure that Expert Insights’ reviews are definitive and insightful.