Introduction
Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) tools scan running web applications and APIs from an external attacker perspective, identifying vulnerabilities like SQL injection, XSS, and authentication bypasses that only manifest at runtime.
Effective DAST requires four capabilities: comprehensive crawling of modern JavaScript-heavy applications, authenticated scanning that maintains session state across complex authentication flows, API testing beyond traditional web scanning, and CI/CD integration for continuous security testing.
This comparison examines 5 DAST platforms ranging from enterprise Qualys WAS to AI-powered solutions like ImmuniWeb Neuron and Bright Security.
Each platform approaches application testing differently - Qualys emphasizes compliance and scalability, Bright focuses on developer workflows with security unit tests, Beagle provides automated penetration testing for SMBs, ImmuniWeb offers zero false-positive guarantee with expert review, and Ghost uses autonomous AI for continuous discovery.
Selection depends on your application architecture (traditional web apps vs. modern SPAs), authentication complexity, compliance requirements, and whether you need purely automated scanning or expert-assisted testing.
1. Qualys WAS
Visit WebsiteKey Highlights
- Automated discovery and scanning across AWS, Azure, GCP, on-premises environments
- OWASP Top 10 and OWASP API Top 10 vulnerability detection with CWE mapping
- Deep learning-based web malware detection identifying backdoors and webshells
- API conformance verification against OpenAPI (OAS v3) specifications
- Integration with Burp Suite and OWASP ZAP for consolidating penetration test findings
1. Qualys WAS
Cloud-based DAST solution providing automated web application and API scanning across on-premises, multi-cloud, containers, and microservices. Features AI-assisted scanning, deep learning malware detection, and API conformance testing.
Key Highlights
- Automated discovery and scanning across AWS, Azure, GCP, on-premises environments
- OWASP Top 10 and OWASP API Top 10 vulnerability detection with CWE mapping
- Deep learning-based web malware detection identifying backdoors and webshells
- API conformance verification against OpenAPI (OAS v3) specifications
- Integration with Burp Suite and OWASP ZAP for consolidating penetration test findings
2. Bright Security
Visit WebsiteKey Highlights
- Security unit testing integration for early vulnerability detection in development
- LLM and AI application testing including prompt injection and jailbreak attempts
- Business logic vulnerability detection beyond standard OWASP checks
- GitHub Copilot generated code security validation
- Fast scanning with attack surface mapping and automated validation
2. Bright Security
Developer-first DAST platform providing security testing throughout SDLC from unit testing to production. Features LLM application testing, business logic vulnerability detection, and GitHub Copilot code verification.
Key Highlights
- Security unit testing integration for early vulnerability detection in development
- LLM and AI application testing including prompt injection and jailbreak attempts
- Business logic vulnerability detection beyond standard OWASP checks
- GitHub Copilot generated code security validation
- Fast scanning with attack surface mapping and automated validation
3. Beagle Security
Visit WebsiteKey Highlights
- Automated testing for 3000+ security issues including OWASP Top 10 and CWE Top 25
- REST and GraphQL API security testing with role-based access validation
- CI/CD integration for pre-production security testing
- Compliance reporting for GDPR, HIPAA, PCI-DSS with evidence documentation
- Scenario recording for business logic and multi-step workflow testing
3. Beagle Security
Automated penetration testing platform for web applications and APIs with AI-driven analysis. Tests 3000+ vulnerability types covering OWASP Top 10, CWE Top 25 with compliance reporting for GDPR, HIPAA, PCI-DSS.
Key Highlights
- Automated testing for 3000+ security issues including OWASP Top 10 and CWE Top 25
- REST and GraphQL API security testing with role-based access validation
- CI/CD integration for pre-production security testing
- Compliance reporting for GDPR, HIPAA, PCI-DSS with evidence documentation
- Scenario recording for business logic and multi-step workflow testing
4. ImmuniWeb Neuron
Visit WebsiteKey Highlights
- Zero false-positive guarantee with money-back SLA backed by security analysts
- Machine learning-enhanced crawling and exploitation for intelligent testing
- Support for SSO, MFA, and complex authentication flows
- Cloud-specific testing for AWS, Azure, GCP hosted applications
- WAF virtual patching for F5, Imperva, Barracuda, Fortinet, Qualys
4. ImmuniWeb Neuron
AI-enhanced DAST platform with zero false-positive SLA backed by machine learning and expert review. Provides OWASP Top 10 and OWASP API Top 10 testing with 24/7 analyst support and compliance-ready reports.
Key Highlights
- Zero false-positive guarantee with money-back SLA backed by security analysts
- Machine learning-enhanced crawling and exploitation for intelligent testing
- Support for SSO, MFA, and complex authentication flows
- Cloud-specific testing for AWS, Azure, GCP hosted applications
- WAF virtual patching for F5, Imperva, Barracuda, Fortinet, Qualys
5. Ghost Platform
Visit WebsiteKey Highlights
- Autonomous application and API discovery with continuous monitoring
- AI-driven security analysis across multiple technology stacks
- Out-of-band deployment architecture for zero performance impact
- Risk-based vulnerability prioritization with business context
- Integration with development and security toolchains
5. Ghost Platform
Autonomous AI-powered application security platform providing continuous discovery, monitoring, and testing of applications and APIs. Uses out-of-band deployment for runtime security visibility without performance impact.
Key Highlights
- Autonomous application and API discovery with continuous monitoring
- AI-driven security analysis across multiple technology stacks
- Out-of-band deployment architecture for zero performance impact
- Risk-based vulnerability prioritization with business context
- Integration with development and security toolchains
Conclusion
DAST tool selection depends on your application architecture and testing requirements.
Qualys WAS provides the most comprehensive enterprise platform with multi-cloud support, deep learning malware detection, and API conformance testing against OpenAPI specs, making it ideal for large organizations with diverse application portfolios and compliance requirements.
Bright Security offers the best developer experience with security unit testing integration, LLM application testing, and business logic vulnerability detection, suited for modern development teams adopting shift-left practices.
Beagle Security delivers the most accessible automated penetration testing for SMBs with 3000+ vulnerability checks, GraphQL support, and compliance reporting at affordable pricing.
ImmuniWeb Neuron provides the strongest accuracy guarantee with zero false-positive SLA backed by expert review, valuable for teams needing high-confidence results without extensive manual triage.
Ghost Platform specializes in autonomous AI-driven testing with continuous application discovery, best for dynamic environments where applications and APIs change frequently.
For most organizations, Qualys WAS and Bright Security represent the best balance of scanning capabilities, CI/CD integration, and enterprise features, while smaller teams should evaluate Beagle Security for cost-effective automated testing.