Side by side
Nuclei vs OWASP ZAP
Both stand on web application security scanners. Which one you can start free with, which one lets you read the code, and what each costs once you pay.
Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted+1
Nuclei offers a template-based approach to scanning across several target types, with custom checks and CI/CD integration. Its active development and potentially disruptive templates call for review of release changes and scan selections.
Visit Nuclei Free plan Open source APIExtensionLinux+3
ZAP combines web scanning with automation, API imports, and CI options at no charge. Check installer requirements and the project's release-support limits before choosing it.
Visit OWASP ZAPThe facts
| Nuclei | OWASP ZAP | |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Not published | Yes |
| Runs on | Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Windows | API, Extension, Linux, Mac, Self-hosted, Windows |
| Lowest paid plan | Free or on request | Free or on request |
| Plans published | 1 | 2 |
| Maker | Not published | Not published |
| Website | nuclei.projectdiscovery.io | zaproxy.org |
| On web application security scanners | #4 of 29 | #1 of 29 |
Nuclei: what it does well
- More than 6,500 community-contributed templates.
- Users can create custom YAML templates.
- Supports HTTP basic and JWT authentication.
- Integrates with GitHub Actions and SARIF export.
- MIT-licensed and free.
What to know first
- No LTS or stable version is available.
- Releases may introduce breaking changes.
- Some templates can risk denial of service.
- Primarily intended as a standalone CLI tool.
OWASP ZAP: what it does well
- Free and open source.
- Active and passive scans, spidering, alerts, and scan policies.
- YAML automation supports API imports and report generation.
- GitHub Actions support baseline, full, and API scans.
- Dynamically installable add-ons usually need no restart.
What to know first
- Windows and Linux installers require Java 17 or higher.
- The team supports only the latest full release.
- Current releases are unsigned, though checksums are provided.
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