BurpSuite vs Acunetix: Which is the best choice for you? [2025]

If you’re actively evaluating web application and API security testing platforms, chances are you’ve come across two familiar names: Burp Suite and Acunetix. Both are well-established names in the cybersecurity space and frequently land on shortlists for organizations of varying sizes.

But here’s the real question: are either of them actually the right fit for your organization’s current needs? Especially when flexibility, DevSecOps readiness, and pricing efficiency are top priorities?

In this comparison, we’ll dive into Burp Suite vs Acunetix, explore where each platform shines (and where they don’t), and introduce a third contender that’s been making waves for good reason: Beagle Security.

Burp Suite vs Acunetix at a glance

An alternative web & API penetration testing platform: Beagle Security

Beagle Security is a next-generation DAST platform built from the ground up to solve a problem many organizations face: balancing depth of testing, ease of use, and affordability without compromising on enterprise-grade capabilities.

While Acunetix comes from a legacy mindset, Beagle Security takes a more developer-first and DevSecOps-friendly approach that appeals equally to security and engineering teams.

Beagle Security’s strength lies in its AI-powered automation, its ability to adapt to modern web technologies (including single-page applications and GraphQL APIs), and the flexibility it offers without the complexity often associated with legacy tools.

Why consider Beagle Security in the Burp Suite vs Acunetix conversation?

• No learning curve: Easy for teams of any skill level to get started.

• Contextual vulnerability reports: Prioritize what matters, mapped to your app logic, with remediation guidance tailored to your specific tech stack. This ensures you get actionable, relevant fixes instead of generic suggestions.

• No lock-in on targets: Flexible pricing and MSSP-friendly model with no artificial limitations. Unlike the per-FQDN pricing used by Acunetix, Beagle Security’s enterprise plans are based on concurrent test execution. This gives more flexibility for growing teams and multi-app environments.

• Enterprise-grade features without the price tag.

• AI-powered security testing:

• AI-based login flow navigation
• Business logic understanding
• Intelligent test case selection
• False positive filtering
• Real-world attack simulations using real penetration testing principles

Burp Suite vs Acunetix vs Beagle Security: Feature comparison

Burp Suite features

Key Burp Suite features:

• Scheduled testing

• CI/CD integrations

• Scan SPAs

• PCI DSS & OWASP Top 10 reports

• SSO supported testing

Burp Suite is primarily known as a comprehensive set of tools for manual penetration testing.

While it offers some automated scanning capabilities, its strength lies in its ability to allow security professionals to deeply analyze and manipulate web traffic, making it a go-to for in-depth vulnerability discovery.

However, its power comes with a steep learning curve, and it can be resource-intensive for large-scale scanning.

Acunetix features

Key Acunetix features:

• Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST)

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

• Authenticated scan support (cookies, headers)

• Limited API scanning (REST, Swagger/Postman)

• AcuSensor IAST integration for deeper insight

• Basic CI/CD integration

Acunetix is positioned as an “affordable” option in the Invicti Security portfolio, offering comprehensive web application security testing. It includes expected vulnerability detection features, covering OWASP Top 10 vulnerabilities.

Its REST API security testing capabilities exist but may lack the sophistication needed for modern API-first organizations. API access is available, but documentation and support for custom integrations may lag.

While Acunetix offers CI/CD integration with tools like Jenkins and Azure DevOps, the implementation can feel like an afterthought.

Customer support experiences vary. For modern tech stacks like SPAs, GraphQL APIs, and rapidly changing dev environments, Acunetix’s limitations in intelligent crawling and business logic detection is a let-down.

Beagle Security features

Key Beagle Security features:

• AI-powered DAST and business logic testing

• Contextual remediation guidance based on tech stack

• Full API security support (REST, GraphQL)

• Real-world penetration testing simulations

• Intelligent test case selection and false positive filtering

• Seamless CI/CD integration and DevSecOps alignment

• Concurrent test-based pricing for enterprise flexibility

• Easy onboarding and intuitive UX

Beagle Security is designed for modern development practices. Its AI engine goes beyond predetermined scripts, analyzing the application’s tech stack and generating contextual test cases.

The automated penetration testing capability understands how an attacker might exploit your specific application architecture, catching business logic flaws traditional scanners miss.

API security testing is a strong point, designed for API-first organizations and supporting API discovery.

Beagle Security’s continuous security testing adapts to your development cycle, and its dynamic test case selection means the platform evolves its testing approach based on what it learns about your applications.

Cloud-native architecture provides genuine advantages, including scalable infrastructure that eliminates the need for capacity planning or resource management.

Burp Suite vs Acunetix vs Beagle Security: Pricing comparison

*Pricing based on data available from AWS Marketplace for Acunetix.

Burp Suite pricing

Burp Suite pricing is typically custom and depends on the specific edition (e.g., Community, Professional, Enterprise) and the features required. For larger organizations and enterprise-grade scanning, it can be a significant investment, often requiring dedicated security personnel to maximize its capabilities.

Acunetix pricing

Acunetix’s pricing starts at about $7000 and is aimed at mid-market companies, but can increase with additional targets. Pricing is mainly based on the number of FQDNs, which can become restrictive and expensive as an application landscape grows. It does not offer a free trial, making it impossible to evaluate capabilities before committing financially. The total cost of ownership can be higher than initially perceived, especially for managing multiple environments or dynamic applications.

Beagle Security pricing

Beagle Security offers transparent and scalable pricing. Pricing is based on features and usage, not arbitrary target limits, and it offers annual and monthly plans with MSSP-friendly models. Most importantly, you can try it for free before deciding. Even at lower tiers, core features like AI automation, business logic testing, and CI/CD integration are accessible, making it a cost-effective platform for proactive security testing.

Burp Suite vs Acunetix vs Beagle Security: Customer reviews comparison

*As of latest G2 comparison in June 2025

Burp Suite reviews

Users appreciate Burp Suite’s powerful features for detailed manual testing and its flexibility for advanced security professionals.

However, customers commonly complain about the steep learning curve required to master the platform and that it can be resource-intensive, particularly for large-scale or continuous scanning.

Acunetix reviews

Users commend Acunetix for its accuracy in detecting common vulnerabilities, effective reporting, and powerful automation. Its ability to generate compliance-ready reports and maintain consistent coverage for standard web attack vectors is also appreciated.

While its automation helps maintain security baselines, some users find Acunetix limiting for complex applications or modern testing.

The licensing model is often seen as rigid, leading to increased costs for multiple targets. Authentication workflows, especially multi-step or token-based ones, can require extensive manual configuration.

Customer support feedback is mixed. Its limitations with modern authentication, intelligent crawling, and nuanced business logic detection are noted by security teams working with SPAs, GraphQL APIs, and fast-changing dev environments.

Beagle Security reviews

Beagle Security is praised for its intuitive UI, developer-first reporting, realistic testing, and affordable pricing. Many customers appreciate its AI capabilities and fast, responsive support.

Users consistently highlight the ease of onboarding, configuration, and launching tests. Reports are structured for technical clarity and business context, reducing dependency on security experts for interpretation.

If you’re just checking a box, you can go with anything. But if you’re serious about building a cybersecurity culture, not just a security process then Beagle Security is your best bet.

Rohan Puri

CDO, Discern Security

Burp Suite vs Acunetix vs Beagle Security: Which is best for you?

Choose Burp Suite if:

• You need a highly customizable tool for expert-level manual penetration testing.

• You have dedicated security personnel who are familiar with complex security tools.

• Your primary focus is on in-depth, hands-on vulnerability discovery rather than automated, continuous scanning.

Choose Acunetix if:

• You’re a mid-sized company with a small security team.

• You want to scan traditional web apps and don’t mind spending time customizing.

• You’re okay with a bit of a learning curve.

Choose Beagle Security if:

• You want enterprise-grade security without enterprise pricing.

• You need real-world penetration testing features without managing complex configurations.

• You’re tired of target lock-ins and expensive FQDN-based pricing models.

• You want to test modern web apps, APIs, GraphQL, and complex login flows easily.

• You value AI-assisted penetration testing, clear remediation guidance, and a platform that integrates cleanly into your CI/CD pipeline.

Try Beagle Security for free to see how it compares

While Burp Suite and Acunetix offer distinct approaches to web security they often operate within traditional frameworks.

If you’re looking for something that’s actually built for how modern teams work, Beagle Security is the smarter alternative. It combines enterprise-grade capabilities with intuitive design, flexible pricing, and AI-powered testing, giving you the features you need, without the layers you don’t.

That’s why more dev & security teams and MSSPs are switching from bloated, per-app platforms to Beagle Security.

You can start a 14-day free trial or schedule a demo to get started with the Beagle Security platform.

Written by

Manindar Mohan

Cyber Security Lead Engineer

Contributor

Nandagopal S

Marketing Associate