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

Selecting the right tool is getting half-way to meeting your security goals.

Among the widely recognized options for dynamic application security testing (DAST), Burp Suite and ZAP (Zed Attack Proxy) frequently come up in discussions. Both offer distinct approaches to identifying vulnerabilities, catering to different user needs and preferences.

But how do you decide which one is the best fit for your specific security workflow and organizational requirements? Is it the comprehensive power of a commercial solution, the flexibility of an open-source tool, or perhaps a third option that combines the best of both worlds?

This comparison will delve into Burp Suite versus ZAP, highlighting their core features, strengths, and limitations. We’ll also introduce Beagle Security as a modern alternative that aims to bridge gaps found in traditional DAST solutions.

Burp Suite vs ZAP 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 Burp Suite and ZAP come from different ends of the spectrum (commercial vs. open-source), 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 SPAs 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 ZAP 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 some other solutions, 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 ZAP 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.

ZAP (by Checkmarx) features

Key ZAP features:

• Open-source DAST tool for identifying web application vulnerabilities.

• Offers automated and manual security testing, accessible to all skill levels.

• Automated scanner tests for common vulnerabilities like XSS and SQL injection.

• User-friendly interface and integrates with development workflows.

ZAP (Zed Attack Proxy) by Checkmarx is a popular open-source DAST tool designed to help identify security vulnerabilities in web applications. It provides both automated and manual testing capabilities, making it accessible for a wide range of users, from developers to experienced security testers.

Its automated scanner leverages pre-defined attack scripts to detect common vulnerabilities such as cross-site scripting (XSS), SQL injection, and broken authentication. ZAP boasts a user-friendly interface that facilitates its integration into development workflows for early detection and remediation of security issues.

However, a known drawback is that the initial setup can be complex and presents a learning curve for new users.

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.

Burp Suite vs ZAP vs Beagle Security: Pricing comparison

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.

ZAP (by Checkmarx) pricing

ZAP (Zed Attack Proxy) by Checkmarx is an open-source, non-profit tool. As such, it is entirely free to use, making it a highly attractive option for individual developers, small teams, and those with budget constraints. Its open-source nature means the community contributes to its development and support.

Beagle Security pricing

Beagle Security offers transparent and scalable pricing. Pricing is based on features and usage, not arbitrary target limits. 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 one of the most cost-effective platforms for proactive security testing.

Burp Suite vs ZAP vs Beagle Security: Customer reviews comparison

*As of latest G2 comparison in June 2025 *As of latest Capterra 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.

ZAP (by Checkmarx) reviews

ZAP generally receives positive feedback, particularly for its accessibility as a free, open-source tool and its effectiveness in identifying common web vulnerabilities.

Users praise its strong community support and the ability to customize and extend its functionalities. However, some users note the initial learning curve associated with setting up and configuring the tool, which might require some technical proficiency.

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 ZAP 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 ZAP (by Checkmarx) if:

• You are looking for a powerful, free, and open-source DAST tool.

• You have the technical resources to handle a learning curve during setup and configuration.

• You prefer a tool with strong community support and extensibility.

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.

Elevate your application security with Beagle Security

The choice between Burp Suite and ZAP often comes down to a trade-off: commercial depth versus open-source flexibility. While both are valuable tools, they may not fully address the demands of modern DevSecOps, especially when it comes to balancing advanced automation, ease of use, and scalability.

Beagle Security offers a compelling alternative, designed to provide comprehensive, AI-driven security testing that integrates seamlessly into today’s fast-paced development environments.

Discover how Beagle Security can provide the advanced capabilities you need, without the traditional complexities or budget constraints.

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

Written by

Nash N Sulthan

Cyber Security Lead Engineer

Contributor

Nandagopal S

Marketing Associate