# Acunetix Web Application & API Security vs w3af: side-by-side comparison (2026) [Acunetix Web Application & API Security](https://cybersectools.com/tools/acunetix-web-application-and-api-security) is a commercial [dynamic application security testing](https://cybersectools.com/categories/dast) solution by [Acunetix](https://cybersectools.com/companies/acunetix). [w3af](https://cybersectools.com/tools/w3af) is a free [dynamic application security testing](https://cybersectools.com/categories/dast) solution. Features, integrations, deployment and the company behind each one, side by side. ## Our take What our shortlists say about the one we picked. ### [Acunetix Web Application & API Security](https://cybersectools.com/tools/acunetix-web-application-and-api-security) Best for: Teams scanning diverse app types including SPAs, APIs, and legacy HTML Acunetix fits the widest range of organization sizes on this list, from SMB to enterprise. That breadth comes with a trade-off: the platform is not as deeply integrated into the broader Checkmarx or Qualys ecosystems as some competitors. If you want a standalone DAST scanner that covers a lot of ground without requiring a platform commitment, Acunetix is a strong choice. From [Best DAST Solutions for Business](https://cybersectools.com/shortlists/best-dast-solutions), Fall 2026. Reviewed by [Nika (Nikoloz) Kokhreidze](https://cybersectools.com/about). Need the answer fast? [Best DAST Solutions for Business](https://cybersectools.com/shortlists/best-dast-solutions) picks PortSwigger Burp Suite DAST, Invicti DAST, Rapid7 InsightAppSec and 4 more. ## Side-by-side comparison | | Acunetix Web Application & API Security | w3af | |---|---|---| | Pricing model | Commercial | Free | | Category | Dynamic Application Security Testing | Dynamic Application Security Testing | | Verified | No | No | | Deployment type | Cloud | On-Premises | | Company size fit | SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise | Startup, SMB, Mid-Market | | GitHub stars | – | 4,852 | | Last commit | – | Jun 2020 | | Company | Acunetix | – | | Headquarters | – | – | ### Use cases and capabilities | | Acunetix Web Application & API Security | w3af | |---|---|---| | DAST | Yes | – | | Web Security | Yes | Yes | | SQL Injection | Yes | Yes | | XSS | Yes | Yes | | CI/CD | Yes | – | | Security Scanning | – | Yes | | Open Source | – | Yes | ### Core features **Acunetix Web Application & API Security** 10 features listed. Sign in on the page to see them. **w3af** No features listed. ### Integrations **Acunetix Web Application & API Security** 4 integrations listed. Sign in on the page to see them. **w3af** No integrations listed. ## Which one fits you Based on what each listing shows: deployment, company size, price and open source. - [Acunetix Web Application & API Security](https://cybersectools.com/tools/acunetix-web-application-and-api-security) fits if you want a cloud product and you are an enterprise. - [w3af](https://cybersectools.com/tools/w3af) fits if you need to run it on your own servers, you are a startup, you need a free product and you want an open-source product. ## Acunetix Web Application & API Security vs w3af FAQ Common questions when comparing Acunetix Web Application & API Security vs w3af for dynamic application security testing. ### What is the difference between Acunetix Web Application & API Security and w3af? **Acunetix Web Application & API Security**: DAST scanner for web apps & APIs with automated vuln detection & remediation. Built by Acunetix. **w3af**: W3af is an open source web application security scanner that identifies over 200 types of vulnerabilities including XSS, SQL injection, and OS commanding in web applications. The table above shows where their features, integrations, deployment and company size fit differ. ### Who makes Acunetix Web Application & API Security and w3af? **Acunetix Web Application & API Security** is made by Acunetix. **w3af** is open-source with 4,852 GitHub stars. The vendor behind a product decides its roadmap, support, and longevity, so check each company's profile before you commit. ### Is Acunetix Web Application & API Security a good alternative to w3af? Often, yes. Acunetix Web Application & API Security and w3af are both Dynamic Application Security Testing products, and both cover SQL Injection, Web Security, XSS. Key differences: Acunetix Web Application & API Security is Commercial while w3af is Free, w3af is open-source. Use the table above to see where features, deployment and company size fit differ. ## Related comparisons - [Acunetix Web Application & API Security vs VulnSign Dynamic Application Security Testing](https://cybersectools.com/compare/acunetix-web-application-and-api-security-vs-vulnsign-dynamic-application-security-testing) - [Acunetix Web Application & API Security vs Halo Security Application Scanning](https://cybersectools.com/compare/acunetix-web-application-and-api-security-vs-halo-security-application-scanning) - [Acunetix Web Application & API Security vs Websecurify](https://cybersectools.com/compare/acunetix-web-application-and-api-security-vs-websecurify) - [w3af vs VulnSign Dynamic Application Security Testing](https://cybersectools.com/compare/vulnsign-dynamic-application-security-testing-vs-w3af) - [w3af vs Halo Security Application Scanning](https://cybersectools.com/compare/halo-security-application-scanning-vs-w3af) - [w3af vs Websecurify](https://cybersectools.com/compare/w3af-vs-websecurify) ## Alternatives to each - [See all Acunetix Web Application & API Security alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/acunetix-web-application-and-api-security) - [See all w3af alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/w3af) --- Source: https://cybersectools.com/compare/acunetix-web-application-and-api-security-vs-w3af For AI agents: each product above has its own Markdown page (add .md to its URL, for example https://cybersectools.com/tools/acunetix-web-application-and-api-security.md). Every CybersecTools shortlist is listed at https://cybersectools.com/shortlists.md. More on Acunetix Web Application & API Security and w3af: funding, momentum, hiring and news, plus the full product and company record, are available through the Mandos MCP Server (paid plans), which connects to AI assistants: https://mandos.io/mcp?utm_source=cybersectools.com&utm_medium=compare-md