API scanning or security testing tools are the best way to ensure that the APIs function as designed to offer adequate protection from harmful cyber attacks. However, the availability of many API security testing tools sometimes makes it challenging to pick the best one.

This blog explores the compiled list of the top API security scanning tools or API security testing tools available on the market.

Let's get started

What is API Security Scanning?

API scanning/security testing is the automated inspection of APIs to uncover vulnerabilities and security threats. This process involves analyzing each API endpoint to detect insecure configurations, misconfigurations, improper data handling, and other security flaws.

By identifying vulnerabilities early in the development lifecycle, API scanning reduces security risks and facilitates proactive remediation. Given that APIs often handle sensitive data, breaches can lead to data theft, financial damage, and system compromise. Integrating API scanning into development and testing workflows ensures APIs are secure from the outset, minimizing security breaches and reducing remediation efforts.

Key Features to Look for in API Security Scanning Tools

When selecting an API security testing tool, it's crucial to find one that aligns closely with the organization's specific needs. A good API security testing tool should enable efficient creation, execution, and management of comprehensive tests tailored to individual scenarios. Here are some key factors to consider when choosing an API security testing tool:

Ease of Use

The API Security Scanning tool should be user-friendly and intuitive, with a minimal learning curve, to ensure easy adoption by both the security and development teams. A well-designed interface with clear navigation and self-explanatory features can significantly reduce the time required for teams to become proficient with the tool.

Test Coverage

The tool should provide comprehensive test coverage, including checks for common API vulnerabilities, authentication issues, and data validation problems. It should be able to test various API endpoints, methods, and parameters to ensure thorough security assessment.

Wide Protocol Support

The API security testing tool should be capable of supporting various API types, including REST, SOAP, and GraphQL, as well as common data formats like JSON and XML, to ensure compatibility with different API architectures and data structures.

Validation and Assertion

A robust API security scanning tool should provide a reliable mechanism for validating API responses. This crucial feature involves verifying various aspects of the API's output, including status codes, data types, and expected behavior. By thoroughly examining these elements, the tool ensures that the API is functioning properly and returning accurate results.

Analysis and Reporting

The tool should be able to convert the abundant data generated by comprehensive testing into valuable insights by creating detailed test reports, logs, and visualizations that assist in analysis and issue resolution.

Extensibility and Customizability

The API security testing tool should provide options for customization as the product and requirements change. This can be accomplished through plugins, scripts, or custom code, allowing organizations to adjust the tool to their evolving needs.

Top 10 API Security Testing Tools

Here is the list of the top 10 API security scanning tools or API security testing tools, security engineers need to know about:

1. Akto

Akto ranks among the top API security testing platforms available today. The platform offers features such as API discovery and automated testing/scanning facilities. Akto analyzes data traffic robustly and runs various business logic tests to identify OWASP's 10 bugs. Its frictionless integration with platforms like AWS makes Akto an excellent choice.

Key Features

• Automatically discovers all APIs in the organization’s system.

• Conducts over 400 built-in security tests for vulnerabilities.

• Identifies and protects sensitive data exposed through APIs.

• Continuously monitors and manages the API security posture.

• Ensures robust authentication and authorization security.

• Seamlessly integrates into CI/CD pipelines for continuous testing.

2. Cequence

Cequence Security is a specialized API security platform designed to detect and protect against various API threats. It stands out by leveraging machine learning and advanced analytics to identify API security risks and prevent malicious attacks. With Cequence, organizations can secure their APIs in real-time across diverse environments, including multi-cloud and on-premises infrastructures.

Key Features

• Uses behavioral analysis to detect anomalies and stop API abuse.

• Comprehensive protection against OWASP API Top 10 vulnerabilities.

• Scalable for enterprises and offers deep visibility into API traffic.

3. APIsec

APIsec is another effective API security testing tool that offers automated services for extensive API analysis. Application security engineers can use the platform to discover, ingest, and analyze APIs, enabling the creation and execution of various custom attack scenarios against each application.

Key Features

• Supports both scheduled and manual API security tests, ensuring APIs are free from vulnerabilities.

• Tests various facets of an API, covering the OWASP API Top 10 and similar categories.

• Identifies security vulnerabilities early in the SDLC.

4. AppKnox

AppKnox offers a mobile-first approach to API security, focusing on identifying vulnerabilities within mobile applications and their APIs. Its easy-to-use interface allows even small security teams to conduct thorough vulnerability assessments without the need for complex configurations. AppKnox combines automated and manual API scanning techniques, providing detailed insights into security issues such as SQL injections, cross-site tracing, and command injections.

Key Features

• Supports automated and manual API vulnerability scanning.

• Identifies critical issues such as SQL injection, XSS, and command injection in HTTP requests.

• User-friendly dashboard with detailed vulnerability reports for rapid remediation

5. beSecure

beSecure by Beyond Security offers a comprehensive solution for API security testing and vulnerability assessment. It is designed to help organizations continuously scan and assess their API ecosystem for potential threats.

With a focus on eliminating false positives and negatives, beSecure provides reliable, actionable results. The platform continuously monitors API traffic and helps prevent misconfigurations and security loopholes that attackers might exploit.

Key Features

• Provides excellent workflow capabilities for protecting APIs.

• Continuously scans network vulnerabilities in the organization's systems.

• Eliminates false positives and negatives for powerful API testing.

6. 42Crunch

42Crunch, an API security scanning and security testing tool, helps to detect and test API vulnerabilities. Its key highlight is a robust API Security audit tool that primarily focuses on scanning and testing OpenAPI definition files.

The platform provides a comprehensive set of features for API security, including static analysis, dynamic testing, and runtime protection. Additionally, 42Crunch offers integration capabilities with popular development tools and CI/CD pipelines, making it easier for security teams to incorporate API security into their existing workflows.

Key Features

• Conducts a detailed API scan that automatically generates a report capturing several vulnerabilities, such as weak authentication mechanisms and data leakage.

• Offers dynamic API testing capabilities in addition to static analysis.

• Provides a comprehensive solution that applies to runtime protection and every step of the API lifecycle.

7. Probely

This API security testing tool helps to automate and scale security testing within software development and CI/CD (continuous integration, continuous development) pipelines. In addition to a user-friendly interface, the platform offers in-depth scanning capabilities.

Key Features

• Features an automated web API vulnerability scanner with robust API testing/scanning capabilities to detect several vulnerabilities.

• Provides advice on fixing vulnerabilities, allowing security engineers to solve various security issues.

• Offers powerful authentication support to quickly test and scan APIs.

8. Synopsys API Scanner

Synopsys API Scanner is a powerful API security scanning and security testing tool that transforms how organizations build and deliver software. The tool aligns people, processes, and technology to address various software risks throughout different stages of the application lifecycle.

Key Features

• Maps out all paths and logic of an API, including parameters, endpoints, authentications, and specifications.

• Integrates seamlessly into the development process to provide secure and faster code.

• Manages application security, quality, and compliance risks at the speed the organization demands.

9. IBM AppScan

IBM AppScan is a comprehensive application security testing tool, known for its powerful API security testing capabilities. It is designed to automatically detect vulnerabilities in APIs, web applications, and mobile apps.

AppScan focuses on uncovering common vulnerabilities, including those listed in the OWASP API Top 10, and offers advanced scanning methods for both static and dynamic security testing. Its integration into development pipelines allows organizations to test their APIs during the entire software development lifecycle (SDLC), ensuring continuous security monitoring and early vulnerability detection.

Key Features

• Supports both static (SAST) and dynamic (DAST) API security testing to identify vulnerabilities.

• Detects and helps remediate OWASP Top 10 risks, including injection flaws, insecure authentication, and misconfigurations.

• Integrates seamlessly with CI/CD pipelines for continuous testing and security validation.

• Provides detailed reports with actionable insights for remediation, allowing security teams to prioritize issues based on risk levels.

10. Postman

Postman is primarily known as an API development tool, but its security testing capabilities have become increasingly robust. It allows developers and security teams to automate API testing with features like request automation, scripting, and dynamic variable handling. Postman can help identify security risks during API development by supporting integration into CI/CD pipelines, allowing for consistent and automated API testing throughout the lifecycle.

While Postman doesn't specialize in API security testing like some other tools, it offers enough flexibility for security and development teams to build custom security tests and validate the integrity of their APIs. It's ideal for developers who need both functional and security testing in a user-friendly environment.

Key Features

• Provides automated and customizable API testing.

• Supports integration with CI/CD pipelines for continuous testing.

• Ideal for functional API testing, but flexible enough to handle security testing scenarios.

Final Thoughts

APIs can be an excellent way for security engineers today to give their users easy access to custom functionality in a tailored approach. However, like traditional web applications, APIs are prone to several common security vulnerabilities.

Fortunately, several API security scanning and security testing tools are available today to address this concern. This blog has shared some of the best API security scanning tools, such as Akto, to help organizations fight against cyber threats.

Akto is a powerful plug-and-play API scanning and testing platform that helps organizations secure their APIs in the development pipeline. It specializes in creating an inventory of APIs, detecting PII data leaks and misconfiguration, and continuously testing these APIs for business logic flaws like broken authentication with its extensive testing library .

To experience the benefits firsthand, book a demo with Akto today!