OWASP ZAP

Overview

OWASP ZAP is a self-hosted web application scanner and proxy for security testing, suited to developers, testers new to security, and security specialists. It brings scanning, API imports, and CI automation together at no software cost, but teams must own deployment and account for its installer requirements and release-support limits.

ZAP describes itself as free and open source, and welcomes contributions. It has used the name ZAP or ZAP by Checkmarx since it ceased to be an OWASP project in August 2023, a distinction worth keeping in mind when identifying the current project.

Key features

Scanning and extensibility

Active and passive scanning, a spider, alerts, and scan policies give users tools for finding application paths and assessing security issues. Active scanning sends tests to the application, while passive scanning and alerts help assess observed traffic. This breadth makes ZAP useful across a security review, though it is a toolset to configure and operate rather than a managed scanning service.

Add-ons from the online Marketplace can typically be installed or removed without restarting ZAP. That lets teams adapt the tool as their needs change without making each addition a full application restart.

Automation and APIs

The Automation Framework uses YAML plans to orchestrate jobs for active and passive scanning, spidering, API imports, and report generation. It supports importing OpenAPI, GraphQL, SOAP, and Postman definitions through jobs or add-ons, making it a practical option for teams that need to bring API descriptions into repeatable scans.

GitHub Actions support baseline, full, and API scans through ZAP's Docker-packaged scans. Published Docker images include a minimal bare image intended for CI. These options make pipeline use a core strength, although teams need to manage their own container or self-hosted setup.

Deployment and upkeep

ZAP publishes installers for Windows, Linux, and macOS, as well as Docker images. Windows and Linux installers require Java 17 or higher; the macOS installer includes Java 17. The download page warns that current releases are unsigned and provides checksums. The ZAP team says it can support only the latest full release, so organizations that need support across multiple release lines should weigh that constraint.

Authenticated scanning, browser-based scanning, API testing, and CI/CD integration are supported. ZAP results can also be imported by products including DefectDojo, Dradis, and Faraday, which can help fit it into a broader testing workflow.

Pricing

ZAP — free. The free and open-source plan includes Marketplace add-ons. There is no paid tier or free-trial distinction in this pricing model: the software is offered free, with no published seat or scan quota in the plan.

This is a strong fit for individuals and teams that can run and maintain their own scanner. The trade-off is operational responsibility: ZAP is self-hosted, and the plan does not describe a hosted service.

Platforms

ZAP supports API, Linux, macOS, self-hosted, and Windows environments. The platform options and Docker packaging suit both desktop use and CI workflows, while the Java requirement on Windows and Linux may add setup work. macOS users get Java 17 bundled with the installer.

Who it's for

ZAP suits developers who want security checks in their workflow, testers learning security testing, and specialists who need configurable scanning and automation. Its API imports and GitHub Actions support are especially useful for teams building repeatable checks into development pipelines.

It is a weaker fit for organizations seeking a managed service or support across older full releases. Teams should also be comfortable managing deployment and verifying unsigned downloads with the provided checksums.

Pros and cons

• Pro: Free and open source, with Marketplace add-ons, makes a broad scanning tool accessible without a software charge.
• Pro: YAML automation, API-definition imports, GitHub Actions, and Docker scans support repeatable checks in CI.
• Pro: Active and passive scanning, spidering, alerts, and scan policies cover multiple parts of application assessment.
• Con: Self-hosted deployment puts installation and operational work on the user or team.
• Con: Windows and Linux installers require Java 17 or higher, and current releases are unsigned.
• Con: Support is limited to the latest full release, which may not suit teams maintaining older release lines.

Alternatives

For a free, self-hosted scanner with API imports and CI automation, ZAP is a strong starting point. Consider these alternatives when their pricing or product positioning better matches your needs:

• Qualys External Attack Surface Management offers a 30-day no-cost CSAM with EASM plan and a free trial, but no free plan; consider it if a time-limited trial is preferable to ZAP's ongoing free plan.
• Beagle Security has a free plan with one lite test per month, monthly surface scan reports, and SSL and domain expiry monitoring, plus an Essential plan at $99 a month (billed Billed $1188 annual). Its trial and web/API platforms may suit readers seeking that capped plan structure.
• Bright Security DAST is a paid option with custom pricing and a demo request; consider it if you want to evaluate a paid DAST product through a demo.
• Veracode DAST is a paid web-application and API option with a free trial and live demo; consider it if you prefer a trial or demo before committing.
• Burp Suite DAST offers a tailored solution with pricing based on portfolio and a free trial; consider it if you want a portfolio-dependent quote.
• StackHawk HawkScan is a paid alternative.
• Detectify Surface Monitoring is a paid web option with a free plan.
• Holm Security Cloud Security is a paid web option without a free plan.

Browse more options in Dynamic Application Security Testing Software, Web Application Security Scanners, and Penetration Testing Software.

Verdict

Choose ZAP if you want a no-cost, configurable web application scanner that can move from interactive assessment into API and CI workflows. Its main advantage is the combination of scanning and automation without a software charge; look elsewhere if you need managed deployment or support beyond the latest full release.