17 Best Mobile Security Tools (2026)
Compare 17 mobile security testing tools for iOS and Android. Free tools like MobSF and Jadx plus enterprise options. OWASP MASVS mapped.
- We reviewed 17 mobile security tools — 6 open-source (MobSF), 3 freemium (Ostorlab), and 8 commercial — covering static analysis, dynamic testing, and runtime protection for iOS and Android.
- MobSF is the only free all-in-one mobile security framework, supporting both iOS and Android with static and dynamic analysis. Oversecured reports 99.8% detection with only 3% false positives (vendor-reported).
- Verizon's 2024 DBIR documented a 180% increase in vulnerability exploitation as an initial access vector across all platforms (driven largely by MOVEit and similar zero-days). 30% of breaches involved third parties, a risk that extends to mobile apps through third-party SDKs.
- The 2024 OWASP Mobile Top 10 added supply chain security as a new risk. Tools like Zimperium zScan and NowSecure now include third-party SDK analysis and SBOM generation.
- Tools split into two categories: security testing (MobSF, NowSecure, Oversecured, AppKnox) for finding vulnerabilities before release, and app shielding (Talsec, Data Theorem RASP) for runtime anti-tampering protection.
What is Mobile Application Security Testing?
Mobile Application Security Testing (MAST) analyzes iOS and Android apps for vulnerabilities specific to mobile platforms.
Unlike traditional web application testing, MAST tools understand platform-specific security models, binary formats (APK, IPA), and runtime behaviors unique to mobile environments.
Mobile apps face distinct security challenges: insecure local data storage, weak cryptography, improper keychain/keystore usage, certificate pinning bypass, and platform API misuse.
Traditional SAST and DAST tools miss these issues because they were designed for web applications. AppSec Santa reviews every mobile security tool to help you find the right fit for your iOS and Android testing needs.
The mobile security landscape is increasingly critical. Verizon’s 2024 DBIR documented a 180% increase in vulnerability exploitation as an initial access vector across all platforms, driven largely by zero-days like MOVEit (Verizon, 2024 DBIR). The same report found that 30% of data breaches involved third parties (Verizon, 2024 DBIR), a risk that extends to mobile apps through third-party SDKs and libraries.
“Mobile apps are decompilable by design — attackers will reverse engineer your app, find hardcoded secrets, and exploit weak cryptography,” warns Sven Schleier, OWASP MASTG Project Co-Lead and mobile security researcher. “Testing needs to go beyond what traditional scanners can detect.”
MAST combines three testing approaches:
- Static Analysis — Analyzing the compiled binary without execution. Finds hardcoded secrets, insecure configurations, and cryptographic weaknesses.
- Dynamic Analysis — Running the app on a device or emulator to observe runtime behavior. Detects data leakage, insecure network communication, and authentication issues.
- Interactive Testing — Combining static and dynamic analysis with runtime instrumentation (using tools like Frida) to test specific security controls.
Advantages & Limitations
Advantages
- ✓Platform-specific testing for iOS and Android
- ✓Binary and runtime analysis capabilities
- ✓Detects insecure data storage and crypto issues
- ✓OWASP MASVS compliance validation
- ✓Tests compiled apps without source code access
Limitations
- ✗Platform fragmentation (iOS vs Android differences)
- ✗Requires specialized mobile security expertise
- ✗Device farms and emulators can be expensive
- ✗OS updates frequently break test automation
- ✗Dynamic analysis harder to integrate in CI/CD
OWASP Mobile Top 10 (2024)
The OWASP Mobile Top 10 identifies the most critical security risks for mobile applications.
Mobile security tools should detect these vulnerabilities:
Improper Credential Usage
Hardcoded credentials, insecure storage of API keys, and improper handling of authentication tokens.
Inadequate Supply Chain Security
Vulnerabilities in third-party libraries, SDKs, and frameworks used in the mobile app.
Insecure Authentication/Authorization
Weak authentication mechanisms, improper session handling, and authorization bypass vulnerabilities.
Insufficient Input/Output Validation
SQL injection, XSS, and path traversal through improper validation of user inputs and API responses.
Insecure Communication
Missing or improper TLS implementation, certificate pinning bypass, and data transmitted in cleartext.
Inadequate Privacy Controls
Excessive data collection, improper PII handling, and violations of privacy regulations (GDPR, CCPA).
Insufficient Binary Protections
Missing code obfuscation, lack of anti-tampering, and no jailbreak/root detection.
Security Misconfiguration
Debug mode enabled in production, excessive permissions, and insecure default settings.
Insecure Data Storage
Sensitive data stored unencrypted, improper keychain/keystore usage, and data leakage through logs or backups.
Insufficient Cryptography
Weak encryption algorithms, hardcoded keys, and improper implementation of cryptographic functions.
Mobile Security Tool Comparison
| Tool | Focus | Key Strength |
|---|---|---|
| Free / Open Source | ||
| MobSF | SAST + DAST | All-in-one open-source framework |
| Freemium | ||
| Ostorlab | SAST + DAST | Open-source core (OXO engine) |
| Commercial | ||
| AppKnox | SAST + DAST + API | Gartner Peer Insights recognized, <1% false positives |
| Data Theorem | SAST + DAST + RASP | #1 Gartner Cloud Native Apps |
| esChecker | Real device testing | Device farm, claims zero false positives |
| NowSecure | Privacy + Security | Data protection analysis, SBOM |
| Oversecured | SAST + DAST | 99.8% detection, 3% false positives (vendor-reported) |
| Talsec | App shielding | RASP + anti-reversing SDK |
| Zimperium zScan | SAST + DAST + IAST | AI-driven, supply chain analysis |
Testing vs Shielding Tools
| Aspect | Security Testing (MAST) | App Shielding (RASP) |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Find vulnerabilities before release | Protect app at runtime |
| When | Development and CI/CD | Production runtime |
| Examples | MobSF, NowSecure, Oversecured | Talsec, Data Theorem RASP |
| Best for | Finding and fixing vulnerabilities | Anti-tampering, anti-reversing |
Market Changes
The mobile security market has seen consolidation and specialization:
- Platform convergence — Most tools now support both iOS and Android. Single-platform specialists are rare.
- Privacy focus — Tools like NowSecure emphasize privacy analysis and data protection, reflecting regulatory pressure (GDPR, CCPA, app store requirements).
- Supply chain awareness — The 2024 OWASP Mobile Top 10 added supply chain security, and tools are adding third-party SDK analysis.
- Shift-left integration — Commercial vendors now emphasize CI/CD integration. Zimperium zScan and AppKnox offer GitHub Actions and Jenkins plugins.
- Device farm alternatives — Cloud-based testing on real devices is now standard. esChecker specializes in real device testing without emulators.
How to Choose a Mobile Security Tool
Platform Coverage
Do you need iOS, Android, or both? MobSF covers both platforms. Some tools specialize in one platform or have stronger support for one over the other.
Static vs Dynamic
For CI/CD integration, static analysis is easier to automate. For comprehensive testing, you need dynamic analysis on real devices or emulators. Many commercial tools offer both.
Compliance Requirements
If you need OWASP MASVS compliance reports, look for tools that map findings to MASVS requirements. NowSecure and Oversecured generate compliance-ready reports.
Appdome
NEWNo-Code Mobile Defense Automation
AppKnox
300+ Enterprises, Gartner Recognized
Data Theorem Mobile Secure
#1 Gartner Cloud Native Apps
esChecker
DAST + IAST for Mobile, OWASP MASVS
Frida
Runtime mobile app instrumentation
Ghidra
NSA Reverse Engineering Framework
Guardsquare
NEWDeep Code Obfuscation for Mobile Apps
Hopper Disassembler
Native macOS reverse engineering
Jadx
Android DEX to Java decompiler
mitmproxy
Intercept and inspect HTTPS traffic
MobSF
Open-Source All-in-One Mobile
NowSecure
Privacy & Data Protection Analysis
Objection
Mobile pentesting without jailbreak
Ostorlab
Open-Source Core + Enterprise
Oversecured
99.8% Detection Accuracy
Talsec
RASP+ Protection with 2B+ Devices Protected
Zimperium zScan
Anti-Reversing & Tampering Validation
Frequently Asked Questions
What is mobile application security testing?
What is OWASP MASVS?
Can I use SAST tools for mobile apps?
What is the difference between MAST and DAST?
Is there a free mobile security tool?
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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 →