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🔐 What is DAST?

Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) involves testing a running web application (not just the code) to identify vulnerabilities like:

• SQL Injection
• XSS
• CSRF
• Broken authentication
• Insecure headers, etc.

It simulates an attacker by interacting with the app over HTTP(S) and analyzing the responses, without needing access to the source code.

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✅ Most Popular DAST Tools in 2025

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1. OWASP ZAP (Zed Attack Proxy)

• Type: ✅ Open Source
• Intro: The most widely used open-source DAST tool, developed by OWASP.
• Strengths: Active scanning, spidering, scripting support, and CI/CD integrations.
• Best For: Developers and DevSecOps teams on a budget.

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2. Burp Suite (Community & Professional)

• Type: 🔄 Freemium / Commercial
• Intro: Powerful security testing suite with interactive and automated scanners.
• Strengths: Manual testing + automated scan, excellent UI, scanner accuracy.
• Best For: Security engineers and pen testers.

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3. Nikto

• Type: ✅ Open Source
• Intro: Web server scanner that checks for outdated server software and dangerous files.
• Strengths: Lightweight, good for baseline checks, CLI-based.
• Best For: Legacy app assessments or adding to automation chains.

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4. Arachni

• Type: ✅ Open Source (less active)
• Intro: Ruby-based DAST scanner with deep plugin architecture.
• Strengths: Browser simulation, session management, performance testing.
• Best For: Devs who want more control, but the project is now semi-abandoned.

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5. Netsparker (Invicti)

• Type: 💰 Commercial
• Intro: Enterprise-grade DAST solution with automation and integration features.
• Strengths: Scans large-scale apps, identifies real vulnerabilities (not just potential ones).
• Best For: Mid- to large enterprises with compliance needs.

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6. Acunetix

• Type: 💰 Commercial
• Intro: Comprehensive automated scanner for web apps, APIs, and JavaScript-heavy SPAs.
• Strengths: High detection accuracy, dev integration, fast scanning.
• Best For: Cloud-native web app scanning at scale.

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7. AppScan (IBM Security)

• Type: 💰 Commercial
• Intro: Legacy but still trusted DAST tool, deep scanning with enterprise integrations.
• Strengths: Reporting, compliance (PCI, HIPAA), multi-language apps.
• Best For: Regulated enterprise environments.

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8. Wapiti

• Type: ✅ Open Source
• Intro: Lightweight, CLI-based black-box scanner.
• Strengths: Command-line simplicity, supports modern attack types.
• Best For: Basic scans in automation pipelines.

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9. Detectify

• Type: 💰 Commercial (Cloud SaaS)
• Intro: Hacker-powered DAST platform that runs continuously from the cloud.
• Strengths: Updated by ethical hackers, supports API and SPA scanning.
• Best For: Teams who want continuous SaaS scanning with zero setup.

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📊 DAST Tools Comparison Table (2025)

Tool	Type	Best For	Strengths	Weaknesses
OWASP ZAP	OSS	DevSecOps, CI/CD, budget teams	Scripting, CI integration, spidering	UI not as polished
Burp Suite	Free + Paid	Security pros, bug bounty hunters	Manual + auto scan, great UI	Paid Pro version needed for full automation
Nikto	OSS	Infra baseline scans	Simple CLI checks for server vulnerabilities	Not deep scanning
Arachni	OSS (legacy)	Power users	Plugin support, session tracking	Not actively maintained
Netsparker	Commercial	Large orgs, compliance	Highly accurate, false-positive reduction	Cost
Acunetix	Commercial	Modern web apps, dev pipelines	Fast, API scan, accurate	Commercial only
AppScan	Commercial	Regulated enterprises	Enterprise features, deep reports	Heavier footprint
Wapiti	OSS	CLI automation	Lightweight and simple	Minimal UI
Detectify	Commercial	Continuous, zero-setup DAST	Hacker-curated tests, cloud-native	No on-prem option

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🧠 Recommendation: What Should You Learn?

If you want to…	Learn This Tool
🔰 Start with DAST (Free, OSS)	OWASP ZAP
💻 Perform deep manual testing	Burp Suite Pro
🧪 Add lightweight checks to CI/CD	Nikto or Wapiti
🏢 Work in an enterprise security team	Netsparker / Acunetix
🔁 Do continuous DAST from the cloud	Detectify

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