Finding security issues before attackers do is a big part of keeping your applications secure. That’s where Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) comes in.
Unlike SAST, which scans your source code, DAST tests your application while it’s actually running. It looks for vulnerabilities that can only be found in a live environment, like SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), authentication issues, and API vulnerabilities.
Modern DAST tools have come a long way. Many now offer much more than basic vulnerability scanning, with features like authenticated testing, API discovery, CI/CD integrations, AI-powered fixes, and continuous monitoring.
To help you choose the right one, we compared three popular enterprise DAST platforms: Aikido Security, StackHawk, and Invicti.
How We Compared These Platforms
Instead of comparing long lists of features, we focused on what most teams actually care about.
- Scan Coverage
Can it scan both web applications and APIs? Does it support authenticated scans for testing behind login pages?
- Ease of Use
Is it easy to set up and fit into your existing development workflow?
- Automation
Does it support continuous scanning, CI/CD pipelines, or AI features that help fix vulnerabilities faster?
- More Than Just DAST
Does it only offer DAST, or does it include other security tools that can replace parts of your existing security stack?
- Overall Value
How well does the platform balance security, ease of use, and long-term value?
Aikido Security 
After comparing all three platforms, Aikido Security was our favorite overall.
What makes it stand out is that DAST is only one part of the platform. Along with dynamic application testing, it also includes SAST, SCA, secrets scanning, cloud security, runtime protection, API scanning, AI pentesting, and vulnerability management—all in one place.
For teams that don’t want to manage lots of different security tools, that’s a huge plus.
What We Liked
One thing we really liked was how Aikido helps cut down on alert noise. Instead of flooding you with every possible issue, it prioritizes the findings that actually matter. Features like AutoTriage and alert deduplication make it much easier to focus on fixing real security risks instead of sorting through hundreds of similar alerts.
We also liked that it does more than just scan websites. Aikido can automatically discover REST and GraphQL APIs, scan every endpoint for common vulnerabilities, and run authenticated scans to test areas that require users to log in. It can even detect dangling domains that could be vulnerable to subdomain takeovers.
Another thing that stood out was how well it fits into existing workflows. Automated daily scans, integrations with popular CI/CD tools and IDEs, and AI-powered AutoFix all help developers fix issues without slowing down development.
Highlights
- Authenticated DAST scanning
- Automatic REST and GraphQL API discovery
- Daily automated scans
- AI-powered AutoFix
- Smart vulnerability prioritization
- Detection of high-risk vulnerability combinations
- Dangling domain detection
- CI/CD and IDE integrations
- Complete AppSec platform with SAST, SCA, DAST, cloud security, runtime protection, secrets scanning, and AI pentesting
Things to Keep in Mind
If you’re only looking for a basic DAST scanner, Aikido includes a lot more than you might need. But if your goal is to manage most of your application security from one platform, it’s the best option.
StackHawk 
StackHawk takes a different approach. Instead of trying to be a full application security platform, it focuses on making DAST simple for developers.
What We Liked
The first thing we noticed was how well StackHawk fits into the development process. It’s designed to work with CI/CD pipelines, so security testing becomes part of your normal workflow instead of something you only do before a release.
We also liked its support for modern APIs. It works with OpenAPI specifications, supports authenticated scanning, and is a good fit for teams building cloud-native applications and API-heavy services.
Another plus is the level of control it gives developers. You can customize scans to match your application and testing needs, making it easier to focus on the areas that matter most.
Highlights
- Developer-friendly DAST
- CI/CD integrations
- Authenticated scanning
- OpenAPI support
- Strong API security testing
Things to Keep in Mind
StackHawk focuses mainly on DAST. If you also need SAST, SCA, cloud security, or runtime protection, you’ll probably need to use additional security tools alongside it.
Invicti 
Invicti is one of the most established DAST platforms on the market and is built for organizations that need to scan large numbers of web applications and APIs.
Its biggest strength is its focus on accuracy. Invicti is known for using proof-based scanning, which helps verify many vulnerabilities automatically instead of simply reporting potential issues. That can save security teams a lot of time by reducing the number of findings they need to investigate manually.
What We Liked
One of the things we liked most about Invicti is its verification approach. Rather than flagging every possible vulnerability, it attempts to confirm many findings automatically, giving teams more confidence that they’re looking at real security issues.
We also liked how well it scales. If you’re responsible for hundreds of websites or applications, Invicti includes features that make it easier to organize, schedule, and manage scans across large environments.
Another plus is its broad vulnerability coverage. It scans for a wide range of web application and API security issues, making it a strong choice for organizations with large attack surfaces.
Highlights
- Proof-based vulnerability scanning
- Web application and API security testing
- Automated vulnerability verification
- Good scalability for large organizations
- CI/CD and development workflow integrations
Things to Keep in Mind
Invicti is built primarily around DAST. If you’re looking for a broader application security platform that also includes tools like SAST, SCA, cloud security, or runtime protection, you’ll likely need additional products to cover those areas.
Which Tool Should You Choose?
All three platforms are strong choices, but they focus on different things.
- StackHawk is a great fit for teams that want a developer-friendly DAST tool with solid CI/CD integration.
- Invicti is a good option for larger organizations that need scalable web application and API security testing.
- Aikido Security was our top pick because it offers strong DAST capabilities while also including SAST, SCA, secrets scanning, cloud security, runtime protection, and vulnerability management in one platform.
If you’re looking for a platform that can handle more than just DAST and help simplify your security stack, Aikido Security is the one we’d recommend.