Best API Security Software in 2026
Updated
In short: 42Crunch API Security Platform is ranked #1 of 28 as of 4 October 2026, ahead of Wallarm API Security and APISec Platform. The best-ranked option with a free plan is Wallarm API Security. The lowest first paid tier on this page is 42Crunch API Security Platform at $9/mo.
API security can involve discovering APIs, governing their specifications and protecting them at runtime. Wallarm API Security, Akto API Security Platform and 42Crunch API Security Platform lead the ranked entries. Compare API discovery and posture management with runtime protection and sensitive data detection to see which security areas each product covers. Specification governance adds another point of comparison; deployment model, free-plan availability and paid-from pricing help you assess practical fit and cost. The entries are ranked, so consider their order alongside these published criteria when weighing options for your API environment.
28 API security software ranked on what their makers publish — plans and prices, free tiers, platforms and the facts on their own pages.
3 of the 25 here have a free tier you can use, 0 have open-source code on record, and 0 have full bars: free, open, on most of your devices and documented.
| # | App | Signal | Free tier | Open code | Devices | From | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 42Crunch API Security PlatformWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux · Self-hosted · API · Extension | Three bars | — | 4 of 6 | $9/mo | 6.6 | |
| 2 | Wallarm API SecurityWeb · Linux · Self-hosted · API | Two bars | — | 2 of 6 | Free | 6.5 | |
| 3 | APISec PlatformWeb · Linux · Self-hosted · API · Extension | Two bars | — | 2 of 6 | $690/mo | 6.4 | |
| 4 | Akto API Security PlatformWeb · Linux · Self-hosted · API | One bar | — | — | 2 of 6 | — | 5.5 |
| 5 | Palo Alto Networks Cortex Cloud API SecurityWeb · Linux · API | One bar | — | — | 2 of 6 | — | 5.5 |
| 6 | F5 BIG-IP APMWeb · Windows · Mac · Linux · Android · iPhone · Self-hosted · API | Two bars | — | — | 6 of 6 | — | 5.4 |
| 7 | Radware API Security ServiceWeb · Self-hosted · API | One bar | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.4 |
| 8 | Salt Security API Protection PlatformWeb · Self-hosted · API | One bar | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.4 |
| 9 | EscapeWeb · API | One bar | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.3 |
| 10 | Akamai API SecurityWeb | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.2 |
| 11 | APIDynamicsWeb | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.2 |
| 12 | APIPostureNo platforms listed | No signal | — | — | 0 of 6 | — | 5.2 |
| 13 | Cequence Unified API ProtectionWeb | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.2 |
| 14 | Cisco PanopticaWeb | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.2 |
| 15 | HaltdosWeb | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.2 |
| 16 | Microsoft Defender for ContainersWeb | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.2 |
| 17 | Onam Security API SecurityWeb | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.2 |
| 18 | Prophaze API SecurityWeb | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.2 |
| 19 | ThreatX API and Application ProtectionWeb | No signal | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.2 |
| 20 | CyanoRisk API Security Posture ManagementNo platforms listed | No signal | — | — | 0 of 6 | — | 5.1 |
| 21 | Traceable API Security PlatformSelf-hosted | No signal | — | — | 0 of 6 | — | 5.1 |
| 22 | Check Point CloudGuard Data SecurityWeb | One bar | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.0 |
| 23 | Checkmarx API SecurityWeb · Self-hosted · API | One bar | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.0 |
| 24 | Imperva API SecurityWeb · Self-hosted · API | One bar | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 5.0 |
| 25 | Cloudflare API ShieldWeb | One bar | — | — | 1 of 6 | — | 4.9 |
Is your app on this list?
Numbered spots on this list can be sponsored. They are labelled, and the editorial order and scores never change for payment.
Questions about this list
Which API security software is ranked first on Freedom251?
42Crunch API Security Platform is ranked #1 of 28 with a score of 6.6. Wallarm API Security is second and APISec Platform third.
How many of these have a free plan?
3 of the 25 on this page publish a free plan on their own pricing pages.
Which is the cheapest paid option?
On this page, 42Crunch API Security Platform has the lowest first paid tier we found: $9/mo.
How is this list ranked?
Ranked free-and-open first: a usable free tier and open-source code, then the platforms it runs on and its documentation. Paid placements never change a rank.