7 Best API Security Tools (2026)
Compare 7 API security tools for 2026. Discover shadow APIs, test for OWASP API Top 10 vulnerabilities, and protect against BOLA and authentication bypass.
- We compared 7 API security tools — 2 freemium (42Crunch, APIsec) and 5 commercial — covering testing, runtime protection, and API discovery. No fully open-source API security tool exists in this category.
- 28% of organizations experienced an API breach with sensitive data compromised, and only 14% have an API posture governance strategy (Salt Security 2025). Wallarm identified 1,602 API vulnerabilities in Q3 2025 alone.
- Akto is the standout free option with 1000+ security tests and Gartner recognition. For runtime protection, Salt Security and Cequence (named a 2025 KuppingerCole Leader) lead the enterprise space.
- Heavy market consolidation: Noname Security acquired by Akamai (June 2024) creating Akamai API Security, and Traceable AI merged with Harness (March 2025).
What is API Security?
APIs are the backbone of modern applications.
While DAST tools can test APIs to some extent, dedicated API security tools go deeper — testing for broken authentication, excessive data exposure, rate limiting issues, and business logic flaws specific to API architectures.
With the rise of API-first development and microservices, this category has become essential for any serious AppSec program. AppSec Santa compares every major API security tool to help you pick the right one.
The scale of API security incidents is staggering. According to Salt Security’s 2025 State of API Security Report, 28% of organizations have experienced an API breach with sensitive data compromised, and only 14% of organizations currently have an API posture governance strategy in place. Wallarm’s Q3 2025 API ThreatStats Report identified 1,602 API-related vulnerabilities in that quarter alone, a 20% increase from Q2.
“APIs are no longer just plumbing — they are the product,” says Corey Ball, author of Hacking APIs and API security researcher. “Every API endpoint is a potential attack surface, and most organizations don’t even know how many APIs they have.”
Advantages
- • Focused on API-specific vulnerabilities
- • Tests business logic flaws (BOLA, BFLA)
- • Runtime protection capabilities
- • API discovery finds shadow APIs
Limitations
- • May overlap with DAST tools
- • Requires API documentation/specs
- • Can be complex to configure
- • Runtime agents add latency
OWASP API Security Top 10
The OWASP API Security Top 10 identifies the most critical risks to test for:
Broken Object Level Authorization (BOLA)
APIs exposing endpoints that handle object identifiers, allowing attackers to access other users' data by manipulating IDs. The most common API vulnerability.
Broken Authentication
Weak authentication mechanisms that allow attackers to compromise authentication tokens or exploit implementation flaws.
Broken Object Property Level Authorization
APIs exposing object properties that should be hidden from users, enabling mass assignment and excessive data exposure.
Unrestricted Resource Consumption
Missing or inadequate rate limiting and resource quotas that enable denial of service or cost attacks.
Broken Function Level Authorization
APIs failing to restrict access to administrative or privileged functions based on user roles.
Unrestricted Access to Sensitive Business Flows
Attackers automating access to business flows (like purchasing or booking) without proper controls.
Server-Side Request Forgery (SSRF)
APIs that fetch remote resources based on user-supplied URLs without proper validation, allowing attackers to make requests to internal services.
Security Misconfiguration
Missing security hardening, overly permissive CORS policies, verbose error messages, or unnecessary HTTP methods left enabled on API endpoints.
Improper Inventory Management
Outdated or undocumented API versions running in production without proper tracking, creating shadow APIs that bypass security controls.
Unsafe Consumption of APIs
Applications trusting data from third-party APIs without proper validation, enabling attackers to compromise systems through integrated services.
Quick Comparison of API Security Tools
| Tool | USP | Type | License |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free / Open Source | |||
| Akto | 1000+ security tests, Gartner-recognized | Testing | Open Source |
| Freemium | |||
| 42Crunch | OpenAPI spec audit & conformance | Testing | Freemium |
| APIsec | AI-powered API pentesting platform | Testing | Freemium |
| Commercial | |||
| Salt Security | AI/ML-powered API discovery | Runtime | Commercial |
| Traceable AI ACQUIRED | API discovery with data tracking; merged with Harness (Mar 2025) | Both | Commercial |
| Cequence Security | API security + bot management | Runtime | Commercial |
| Akamai API Security | Full API lifecycle, 20% of Fortune 500 | Both | Commercial |
| Wallarm | Integrated WAF + API protection | Runtime | Commercial |
| Levo.ai NEW | eBPF-powered API discovery + LLM security | Discovery + Testing | Freemium |
| Acquired (1) | |||
| Noname Security ACQUIRED | Acquired by Akamai (June 2024); now Akamai API Security | Was Runtime | Was Commercial |
API Security Testing vs Runtime Protection
Like AI security, API security tools fall into two categories:
| Aspect | API Testing | API Runtime Protection |
|---|---|---|
| When it runs | Before deployment | In production |
| Purpose | Find vulnerabilities in API design | Block attacks, detect anomalies |
| Examples | 42Crunch, Akto, APIsec | Salt Security, Cequence, Wallarm |
| Input needed | OpenAPI specs, traffic samples | Live traffic |
| Best for | Development and QA | Production monitoring |
My recommendation: Use API testing tools in CI/CD to catch issues early. Add runtime protection for production APIs that handle sensitive data or are publicly exposed.
Market Changes
The API security market has seen significant consolidation and growth:
Noname Security → Akamai (2024)
Akamai acquired Noname Security in June 2024. Akamai API Security now combines both platforms for API discovery, testing, and runtime protection, and is used by 20% of Fortune 500 companies.
Open Source Emergence
Akto has emerged as a strong open-source alternative, recognized by Gartner in their 2024 Market Guide for API Protection. Free self-hosted deployment with 1000+ security tests.
Market Leaders
Cequence Security was named one of 15 Leaders in the 2025 KuppingerCole Leadership Compass for API Security. Salt Security remains a strong contender in the enterprise space.
Traceable AI → Harness (2025)
Traceable AI merged with Harness in March 2025, creating an AI-native DevSecOps platform. Both companies were founded by Jyoti Bansal.
How to Choose an API Security Tool
Testing vs Runtime Protection
For pre-deployment testing, look at 42Crunch, Akto, or APIsec. For runtime protection and anomaly detection, consider Salt Security, Cequence, or Traceable AI.
API Discovery Needs
If you have shadow APIs or need to inventory existing APIs, Salt Security, Traceable AI, and Akamai API Security offer traffic-based discovery. 42Crunch works better when you already have API specs.
Integration with Existing Tools
If you use Burp Suite for web testing, it has solid API testing capabilities. Some organizations add dedicated API tools on top for deeper coverage.
Compliance Requirements
If you need to demonstrate API security for compliance (PCI DSS, HIPAA), look for tools that generate compliance-ready reports. Enterprise tools like Akamai API Security and Cequence excel here.
42Crunch
OpenAPI Spec Audit & Conformance
Akamai API Security (Noname)
Platform-Agnostic API Protection at Scale
APIsec
AI-Powered API Pentesting Platform
Cequence Security
Unified API Protection with Native Blocking
Levo.ai
NEWeBPF-Powered API Auto-Discovery
Salt Security
AI/ML-Powered API Discovery & Protection
Wallarm
Integrated WAF + API Protection
Show 2 deprecated/acquired tools
Frequently Asked Questions
What is API security?
What is the OWASP API Security Top 10?
How is API security different from DAST?
Do I need a separate API security tool?
What is API discovery?
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Application Security @ Invicti
10+ years in application security. Reviews and compares 170 AppSec tools across 11 categories to help teams pick the right solution. More about me →