Overview

OWASP ZAP is a self-hosted web application scanner and proxy for developers, security testers, and teams that want to build security checks into their workflows. Its core advantage is a wide scanning and automation toolkit at no software cost; teams must be prepared to manage deployment and its runtime requirements themselves.

ZAP describes itself as free and open source, with contributions open to anyone. The project says it has not been an OWASP project since August 2023 and now uses the name ZAP or ZAP by Checkmarx. That is worth keeping in mind when identifying the current project and download source.

Authenticated scanning, API testing, browser-based scanning, and CI/CD integration make ZAP relevant beyond manual web reviews. It is a strong choice for teams comfortable running their own tools, but not for buyers who want a managed scanning service.

Key features

Scanning and traffic inspection

ZAP combines active and passive scanning with a spider, alerts, and scan policies. The mix supports application discovery and assessment in one tool: the spider finds paths, passive scanning evaluates observed traffic, and active scanning sends tests to the application. Scan policies let teams control which active checks run, an important distinction when balancing coverage against the impact of testing.

Add-ons and API coverage

The online Marketplace provides dynamically installable add-ons, which can typically be added or removed without restarting ZAP. That gives teams room to adapt the tool without committing to every capability upfront, though they still own the configuration and upkeep of a self-hosted setup.

The Automation Framework follows a YAML plan and supports jobs for active and passive scans, spidering, API imports, and report generation. It can import OpenAPI, GraphQL, SOAP, and Postman definitions through jobs or add-ons. This breadth is useful for teams whose APIs are described in different formats and who want repeatable checks rather than a one-off manual scan.

Automation and deployment

ZAP provides GitHub Actions for baseline, full, and API scans through its Docker-packaged scans. Published Docker images include a minimal image intended for CI. Together, these options make ZAP a practical fit for pipeline checks, while the team remains responsible for integrating and operating those checks in its own environment.

Pricing

ZAP’s software is free and open source. Its single “ZAP” plan costs 0.00 USD per free and includes Marketplace add-ons. There is no free trial because the product is free; no seat or scan quota is attached to this plan in the stated terms.

That removes a software-license price barrier for individual builders and teams alike. The trade-off is operational: ZAP is self-hosted, so the team needs to provide and maintain the environment rather than buying a hosted service.

Platforms

ZAP supports API, Linux, macOS, self-hosted, and Windows environments. Windows and Linux installers require Java 17 or higher; the macOS installer includes Java 17. Those requirements matter when choosing a workstation or build image, particularly if a team standardizes on Windows or Linux and must manage Java separately.

The ZAP team says it can support only the latest full release, so teams that need support should plan around staying current. Current releases are unsigned, and ZAP provides download checksums. That gives users a way to verify downloads, but unsigned installers may not fit organizations whose policies require signed software.

Who it's for

ZAP is aimed at developers, testers who are new to security testing, and security-testing specialists. Developers can use its automation and GitHub Actions to make scanning part of a build workflow; newer testers get scanning, a spider, alerts, and policies in one tool; specialists can extend it with add-ons and API imports.

It is best for teams able to run and maintain their own scanner and comfortable staying on the latest full release for support. Teams seeking a managed service, or those blocked by the Java or unsigned-download requirements, should consider other options.

Pros and cons

Pros: Free and open source, with no software-license cost to begin scanning.
Pros: Active and passive scanning, spidering, alerts, and policies combine discovery and assessment in one self-hosted tool.
Pros: YAML automation, multiple API definition formats, GitHub Actions, and a minimal Docker image support repeatable CI workflows.
Pros: Marketplace add-ons can typically be changed without restarting ZAP, helping teams tailor its capabilities.
Cons: Windows and Linux installers require Java 17 or higher, adding a runtime dependency for those installations.
Cons: Support is limited to the latest full release, which makes keeping current important.
Cons: Current downloads are unsigned, a potential obstacle for software policies that require signed installers.
Cons: Self-hosting puts deployment and operation on the user rather than a service provider.

Alternatives

For a different testing model, Beagle Security has a free plan at 0.00 USD per free with one lite test per month, monthly surface scan reports, and SSL and domain expiry monitoring; its Essential plan is 99.00 USD per month, billed $1188 annual. It may suit readers seeking those monitoring features and a free trial, while ZAP offers a free and open-source self-hosted scanner with broader automation and API-import options in the stated capabilities.

Detectify Surface Monitoring offers a Starter plan at 0.00 EUR per year, billed as an annual platform fee, with up to five users and one team; Surface Monitoring costs extra per domain. Its Standard plan is 2500.00 EUR per year, billed annual. Readers who need a multi-user surface-monitoring plan may prefer it; ZAP has no stated seat cap and focuses on application scanning and automation.

Qualys External Attack Surface Management offers CSAM with EASM at 0.00 USD per free, billed 30 days, with no cost for 30 days. Its free trial may fit teams seeking a time-limited evaluation of that offering, while ZAP has no stated trial period and remains free.

Bright Security DAST is a paid alternative with no public price listed and a demo request offered. Burp Suite DAST is also paid, with tailored pricing that depends on portfolio and requires contacting PortSwigger. Veracode DAST is paid, has no free plan, and offers a live demo by request with custom pricing. Choose among these when those products better fit your buying process; the stated details do not support a more specific feature comparison.

Astra DAST Scanner offers a 7.00 USD once trial, billed for a full week, with full platform access, no credit card commitment, and cancellation anytime; Scanner Lite is 69.00 USD per month, billed $69/m, for one target. That gives buyers a defined paid trial and monthly entry plan, unlike ZAP’s free self-hosted approach.

apPosture API Security is paid: Essentials costs 35.00 USD per year, billed $35 / dev · mo annually, and includes SAST, SCA, secrets, IaC, container, and a DAST add-on per URL; API Security costs an additional $15 / dev. Teams seeking that stated mix of developer-security capabilities may prefer it, while ZAP’s stated strengths center on web application scanning, API imports, and CI automation.

For category browsing, see Dynamic Application Security Testing Software, Web Application Security Scanners, and Penetration Testing Software.

Verdict

Choose ZAP if your team wants a free, open-source scanner that can extend from interactive assessment to API-aware automation in CI. Its combination of scanning, imports, add-ons, and Docker options is the main reason to choose it. Look elsewhere if your stack or policies cannot accommodate self-hosting, Java on Windows and Linux, unsigned downloads, or support tied to the latest full release.

	MaxPatrol SIEM	OWASP ZAP
Free plan	No	Yes
Free trial	Yes	No
Paid from	—	Free
Open source	No	No
Platforms	Linux, self-hosted, Web, Windows	api, Linux, macOS, self-hosted, Windows
Deployment	on-premise	—
Authenticated scans	Yes	—
Free plan	—	Yes

MaxPatrol SIEM vs OWASP ZAP

MaxPatrol SIEM

OWASP ZAP