Acunetix vs Rapid7: Complete DAST comparison [August 2025]

Your application security strategy hinges on one critical decision: choosing a DAST solution that actually fits how your team builds and ships software. Acunetix and Rapid7 InsightAppSec represent two distinctly different philosophies.

Acunetix doubles down on web application scanning depth, offering granular control over crawling behavior and vulnerability detection that appeals to security teams who want to fine-tune every aspect of their testing.

Rapid7 takes the platform approach, embedding application security within a broader ecosystem that spans vulnerability management, cloud-native application protection, SIEM and a lot more.

The choice between them often comes down to whether you need a specialist tool that excels at one thing, or a generalist platform that connects security testing to your wider operational picture.

But there’s a third consideration that’s reshaping how forward-thinking teams approach DAST in 2025: the rise of AI-powered penetration testing that adapts to modern application patterns without requiring extensive configuration overhead.

This comparison breaks down the practical trade-offs between Acunetix’s focused approach and Rapid7’s integrated platform strategy. Plus, we’ll explore how Beagle Security’s AI-first architecture addresses some of the workflow friction that even the best traditional DAST tools can’t quite solve.

Acunetix and Rapid7 at a glance

An alternative AI-powered web & API penetration testing platform for comparison: Beagle Security

While Acunetix and Rapid7 have established themselves as reliable workhorses in the DAST space, both platforms carry the architectural DNA of an earlier era in application security.

Their scanning engines were designed when applications were simpler, development cycles were longer, and security teams had weeks to analyze and remediate findings.

Today’s development reality looks different.

Teams ship multiple releases per day, applications span complex microservice architectures, and APIs outnumber traditional web interfaces by significant margins. The traditional DAST approach often creates more friction than value.

Beagle Security approaches this challenge from a fundamentally different angle.

Built natively for cloud-first applications and API-heavy architectures, it leverages AI to automatically adapt testing techniques based on the specific technology stack and attack surface it encounters.

Instead of requiring security teams to configure complex scan policies, Beagle Security’s AI engine learns application behavior patterns and focuses deep penetration testing on the areas most likely to yield critical vulnerabilities.

The practical difference shows up in three key areas: comprehensive penetration testing depth that goes beyond surface-level vulnerability detection, intelligent vulnerability prioritization that reduces noise for development teams, and integration patterns that work with modern development toolchains rather than against them.

Let’s dive into the Acunetix vs Rapid7 InsightAppSec comparison and why teams are increasingly drawn to Beagle Security’s AI-driven approach as a solution that addresses many of the operational pain points that traditional DAST platforms haven’t quite resolved.

Why go for Beagle Security in the Acunetix vs Rapid7 debate?

• Zero learning curve: Start testing immediately without weeks of configuration or security expertise requirements. Real penetration testing depth: Goes beyond surface-level vulnerability scanning to simulate actual attack scenarios that traditional DAST tools miss.

• Contextual reports: Get specific remediation steps for developers plus business impact summaries for leadership, not generic vulnerability lists.

• No target lock-in: Unlike Acunetix and Rapid7, Beagle Security allows flexibility. You can test any number of web apps or APIs within your allotted test credits.

• AI capabilities built-in: Automatically adapts to your application stack, handles complex authentication, and eliminates false positive noise.

• Affordable pricing: Comprehensive penetration testing starting under $119/month, making advanced security testing accessible to any team size.

Acunetix vs Rapid7 vs Beagle Security: Feature comparison

Acunetix features

• Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST)

• Authenticated scanning with support for cookies and custom headers

• Compliance-focused reporting (PCI DSS, HIPAA, OWASP Top 10, etc.)

• AcuSensor integration for enhanced IAST-style insights

• CI/CD pipeline integration

Acunetix has carved out its niche as the approachable gateway into professional DAST scanning.

Built for mid-market teams who need enterprise-quality vulnerability detection without the complexity overhead, it delivers reliable results for traditional web application architectures.

The platform’s strength lies in its proof-based validation approach that cuts through false positive noise and comprehensive coverage of established vulnerability classes. For security teams running compliance-driven programs, Acunetix handles the fundamentals exceptionally well.

But dig into the day-to-day operational reality, and some interesting limitations emerge. Multi-domain applications require separate target configurations for each subdomain, turning what should be a single scan into a configuration management exercise. Power users often find themselves editing XML configuration files directly when the interface doesn’t expose the granular controls they need.

The platform also operates on traditional rule-based scanning logic rather than AI-powered adaptive testing. This means authentication flows, business logic testing, and attack pattern selection still lack depth and configuration simplicity.

For teams building API-heavy applications or managing rapid deployment cycles, these workflow constraints can overshadow Acunetix’s solid technical foundation.

Rapid7 features

• InsightAppSec with DAST scanning

• Scheduled scanning and scan blackouts

• Risk scoring and vulnerability tracking

• Visual dashboards and customizable reporting

• CI/CD integrations

• Compliance focused reports

Rapid7 has built InsightAppSec as part of its broader security ecosystem, emphasizing integration across vulnerability management, incident response, and application security.

The platform’s attack replay feature stands out, allowing developers to validate vulnerabilities and test patches directly from vulnerability reports without requiring additional security team involvement.

The connection to Rapid7’s Metasploit framework provides access to real-world attack simulation capabilities, though this integration requires security expertise to leverage effectively.

However, the platform reveals some operational limitations in practice.

Users report that the number of web applications they can scan faces licensing restrictions, and the solution needs improvement in detecting complex attack patterns.

Authentication and session management support has gaps for custom schemes, requiring manual code development. The platform operates on traditional signature-based detection rather than AI-powered adaptive testing, meaning teams still need to manually configure scan policies for optimal coverage.

For organizations already invested in Rapid7’s security platform, InsightAppSec provides solid integration value, but teams seeking standalone DAST solutions may find the workflow friction outweighs the ecosystem benefits.

Beagle Security features

• AI-powered penetration testing engine with adaptive attack logic

• Comprehensive REST API and GraphQL security testing capabilties

• Contextual, compliance-ready reports

• CI/CD integration for shift-left security

• Easy onboarding and intuitive UX

• Advanced business logic testing and complex login authentication handling

Beagle Security takes a fundamentally different approach to application security testing.

Rather than relying on traditional rule-based scanning, its AI engine learns application behavior patterns and adapts attack strategies based on the specific technology stack it encounters.

This means authentication workflows, attack simulation, and vulnerability prioritization happen automatically without requiring extensive manual configuration. The platform excels in areas where conventional DAST tools typically struggle.

Beagle Security’s AI understands application context well enough to navigate multi-step authentication flows, and business logic without the policy tuning that traditional scanners demand.

What sets it apart operationally is the elimination of security expertise barriers.

Teams can launch comprehensive penetration tests immediately without spending weeks learning scanner configuration or managing false positive noise. The contextual reporting provides remediation steps tailored to specific frameworks and technologies, bridging the gap between security findings and actionable developer tasks.

For modern development environments where applications span microservices, APIs, and dynamic frontend frameworks, Beagle Security addresses the workflow friction that often makes traditional DAST tools more hindrance than help in rapid deployment cycles.

Acunetix vs Rapid7 vs Beagle Security: Pricing comparison

Acunetix pricing

Targeting mid-market businesses, Acunetix pricing starts from $7000/year.

The target-based pricing creates particular challenges for complex applications. Multi-domain applications require separate targets for each subdomain, multiplying licensing costs beyond initial estimates.

One user noted that “pricing is good for a small number of targets, but quickly becomes expensive for multiple target locations”.

Acunetix offers proof-of-concept licenses for evaluation but the lack of a traditional free trial means teams must engage sales before properly assessing platform fit for their specific environment and workflow needs.

Rapid7 pricing

Rapid7’s InsightAppSec pricing starts at $175 per month for a single application, but costs can escalate quickly for organizations managing multiple applications. For businesses with a high volume of assets, this makes it one of the more expensive options on the market.

While it may be overkill for teams focused solely on application and API security, it can be a practical choice for companies already invested in the Rapid7 ecosystem, where integration with other tools adds value.

Beagle Security pricing

Beagle Security provides clear, usage-based pricing that adapts to your requirements without placing arbitrary restrictions on domains or targets. The platform provides complete flexibility to “add or remove applications at any time, with no restrictions or penalties” and allows teams to “split your monthly test quota across multiple applications”.

A 14-day free trial includes access to all Advanced plan features with one complete penetration test, allowing teams to evaluate AI-powered testing capabilities before commitment.

This model particularly benefits organizations with fluctuating testing needs or diverse application portfolios, eliminating the target-based restrictions that traditional DAST solutions impose.

Acunetix vs Rapid7 vs Beagle Security: Customer reviews comparison

As of latest G2 comparison in June 2025

Acunetix reviews

Source: G2

User comments raise doubts about Acunetix’s dependability, especially when verified scans are being performed.

Even when credentials were properly checked, up to 90% of scans had problems, particularly around login sequences, according to a confirmed enterprise user, despite the fact that reporting tools are valued.

Rapid7 reviews

Source: PeerSpot

Users appreciate the platform’s integration with other Rapid7 tools and its visualization features. However, some cite a steep learning curve, performance issues during scans, and a lack of context-aware remediation guidance as major drawbacks.

Beagle Security reviews

Beagle Security is frequently praised for its realistic attack simulations, developer-friendly reports and clear user-friendly interface. Users appreciate the platform’s ability to strike a mix between ease and depth, as well as its AI-driven testing that seems customized rather than generic.

Even for teams without extensive security knowledge, onboarding is simple, and starting a test only requires a few clicks.

It is easier for engineering teams to take action without waiting for security engineers since reports are formatted to provide both technical clarity and business relevance.

Beagle Security exceeds all our compliance requirements, giving our demanding enterprise partners confidence in our robust security measures. What used to take our team weeks of manual effort is now handled continuously and comprehensively, allowing us to focus on our core business while staying protected against emerging threats. Beagle Security has become an essential part of our security strategy.

Andres Restrepo

CEO, Enric AI

Acunetix vs Rapid7 vs Beagle Security: Which is best for you?

Choose Rapid7 if:

• Your organization already uses Rapid7’s security ecosystem and values unified platform integration across vulnerability management, incident response, and application security

• Your security team prefers traditional DAST workflows with signature-based detection and manual policy configuration

• Platform integration with Metasploit and attack replay capabilities align with your existing security testing methodologies

Choose Acunetix if:

• You’re a mid-market organization seeking proven vulnerability detection for traditional web applications without requiring AI capabilities

• You don’t mind investing time in customization

• You’re comfortable navigating a moderate learning curve

Choose Beagle Security if:

• You value AI-driven penetration testing, actionable remediation, and CI/CD-friendly integration

• You want real-world attack simulations without dealing with complicated setup or tuning

• You’re done with target lock-ins and overpriced FQDN-based plans

• You need comprehensive API testing for REST, GraphQL, and complex authentication workflows without expertise barriers

• You need enterprise-grade testing without the complexity or premium pricing

Try Beagle Security for free to see how it compares to Acunetix and Rapid7

Choosing between Acunetix and Rapid7 can feel like weighing two capable yet legacy-heavy platforms each bringing complexity that modern teams often struggle to justify.

Beagle Security emerges as the smarter, more agile alternative, purpose-built for today’s web and API security landscape.

With AI-powered penetration testing, developer-centric reports and seamless CI/CD integration, Beagle Security delivers everything you need, without the steep learning curves or enterprise bloat.

You can get started with a 14-day free trial or schedule a demo to see how Beagle Security fits into your workflow.

Written by

Febna V M

Cyber Security Engineer