SEBASTiAn

SEBASTiAn is a self-hosted static analyzer for Android APK and iOS IPA files. It suits developers and security teams that need one open-source command-line tool for both mobile platforms, especially when findings must feed another system. The trade-off is a static-only scope and a commercial licensing requirement for closed-source work.

Overview

SEBASTiAn assesses mobile application security without requiring a hosted service. You can run it from source or through the project's official Docker image, keeping package analysis inside your own environment. That deployment model fits organizations with internal build or security infrastructure and those that cannot send binaries to a vendor.

The tool is platform-agnostic at the project level, while its targets are Android APKs and iOS IPAs. It is designed as a modular, extensible project, so teams with engineering capacity can adapt checks or contribute changes. The maintainers welcome questions, bug reports, and pull requests on GitHub, and the README links to a 2023 SoftwareX paper describing the project.

Key features

Android analysis covers insecure networking, cryptography, permissions, exported components, and WebView configuration. These checks address common configuration and implementation mistakes before release and give Android-focused teams a broad first pass from one command. iOS analysis examines binary encryption and signatures, insecure APIs and TLS settings, weak cryptography, and memory-protection flags, giving iOS teams a corresponding set of binary and security-control checks.

Results can be consolidated in a unified JSON report containing vulnerabilities, remediation suggestions, further-reading links, and the location of vulnerable code or configuration. The --generate-report option writes identified vulnerabilities to a JSON file, making the output practical for scripts, issue pipelines, or other internal tooling. Reports support English and Italian, useful for teams that need either language in their security workflow.

SEBASTiAn remains static analysis. It does not perform dynamic app analysis, so it will not reveal behavior that appears only during execution or replace runtime testing. The default analysis timeout is 1,200 seconds, although users can set a different value; long-running scans should therefore be planned into CI or review schedules.

Pricing

The AGPL-3.0 open-source license plan costs free and is intended for open-source projects. It is the natural choice for public codebases and teams able to operate a self-hosted analyzer under AGPL terms.

Commercial use and closed-source projects require the Commercial license, which has custom pricing through [email protected]. That separate license is the key limitation for businesses that want to use SEBASTiAn in proprietary products; the free plan is not the appropriate route for that scenario.

Platforms

SEBASTiAn runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows, with installation guidance for Ubuntu, Windows, and macOS. The README requires Python 3 and CMake. Python 3.12 or later may require a manual LIEF installation because stable prebuilt wheels are unavailable, adding setup work for users on newer Python environments. Deployment can be from source or Docker, and the tool analyzes both Android and iOS packages.

Who it's for

Choose SEBASTiAn if you need self-hosted static checks across Android and iOS, want machine-readable findings, and can manage command-line tooling and its dependencies. It is particularly suitable for open-source maintainers, internal AppSec teams, and developers building automated package checks.

Look elsewhere if runtime behavior is central to your assessment, if you need a managed service, or if proprietary licensing and setup effort make an open-source deployment impractical. The Python 3.12/LIEF caveat also matters to teams expecting a frictionless installation.

Pros and cons

Pros

• One tool for both mobile platforms: Android and iOS checks cover distinct, relevant security areas.
• Automation-ready output: Unified JSON, code or configuration locations, and the --generate-report option support downstream workflows.
• Self-hosted and extensible: Source and Docker execution keep binaries in your environment, while modularity supports customization.
• No-cost open-source option: The AGPL plan is free for open-source projects.

Cons

• No dynamic analysis: Static checks cannot expose vulnerabilities that depend on runtime behavior.
• Commercial licensing is separate: Closed-source and commercial users need custom-priced licensing.
• Setup can require intervention: Python 3.12 or later may need manual LIEF installation, alongside Python 3 and CMake.
• Potentially long scans: The default timeout is 1,200 seconds, even though it can be changed.

Alternatives

Ostorlab is the better fit for teams wanting a freemium service with unlimited mobile scans, attack-surface discovery, remediation, and ticketing in its free Community plan, plus broader Android, iOS, API, and web coverage.

AppSweep suits teams that want unlimited Android and iOS scans, unlimited team members, static and interactive analysis, a CI CLI, OWASP MASVS alignment, and PDF reports at no cost.

Reversense Security is an alternative for Android teams seeking instrumentation generation and dynamic deobfuscation through its free Dexcalibur Community Edition.

LinkedIn Databus is a free Apache 2.0 open-source project for API, self-hosted, and web use rather than a mobile binary analyzer.

Data Theorem Mobile Secure is a paid option covering Android, iOS, API, and web, with pricing handled through a demo.

Quixxi Scan fits buyers wanting freemium, on-demand SAST scans for Android and iOS at $29 per scan.

Quokka targets iOS and Android app vetting and security testing, including agentless MDM integration.

Silker AI Mobile Security is a freemium Android, iOS, and web service whose Pro plan is $19.50 per month during its beta discount period.

Verdict

SEBASTiAn is a strong choice for open-source or internally managed teams that need broad static coverage of Android and iOS packages, structured JSON findings, and control over deployment. Choose it for a customizable, self-hosted first-pass analyzer; choose another product when dynamic testing, managed operations, or straightforward commercial licensing is the priority.