Top 48 Alternatives to OWASP ZAP for Web/API Testing

Introduction

OWASP Zed Attack Proxy (ZAP) emerged from the OWASP community in the early 2010s as an open-source dynamic application security testing (DAST) tool. Built in Java and released under the Apache-2.0 license, ZAP gained popularity by making web and API security scanning accessible to developers and QA teams. It ships with an intercepting proxy, passive and active scanners, crawlers (including an AJAX spider), an automation framework, core and add-on rulesets, and first-class CI/CD integrations via Docker images and CLI tools. Its community-driven ethos, extensibility, and strong documentation helped it become a go-to tool for web and API security checks in both local and automated pipelines.

ZAP’s strengths—community support, automation-friendly design, and solid vulnerability coverage—made it a staple in many security and QA toolchains. However, teams often need capabilities beyond DAST, such as performance testing, cross-browser coverage, component/UI testing, visual regression checks, or enterprise-scale orchestration. This is why many organizations explore alternatives or complementary tools that align better with specific testing goals, technology stacks, or operational constraints.

Below are 48 alternatives to consider. Some are direct DAST competitors or enterprise options; many others are complementary web/API testing tools that address performance, reliability, accessibility, visual quality, or end-to-end automation—areas ZAP intentionally does not target.

Overview: 48 Alternatives Covered

Here are the top 48 alternatives for OWASP ZAP:

• Artillery, BackstopJS, BlazeMeter, BrowserStack Automate, Burp Suite (Enterprise), Capybara, Cucumber, Cypress Cloud, Cypress Component Testing, Datadog Synthetic Tests, Eggplant Test, FitNesse, Gatling, Gauge, Geb, JMeter, Katalon Platform (Studio), LambdaTest, Lighthouse CI, LoadRunner, Locust, Microsoft Playwright Testing, NeoLoad, New Relic Synthetics, Nightwatch.js, Pa11y, Percy, Pingdom, Playwright Component Testing, Playwright Test, QA Wolf, Ranorex, Robot Framework + SeleniumLibrary, Sauce Labs, Selene (Yashaka), Selenide, Serenity BDD, Squish, Storybook Test Runner, TestCafe, TestCafe Studio, TestComplete, Testim, Tricentis Tosca, Watir, axe-core / axe DevTools, k6, reg-suit

Why Look for OWASP ZAP Alternatives?

• Need broader testing coverage: ZAP focuses on security; teams may need performance, reliability, visual, accessibility, and functional test coverage in one ecosystem.

• Enterprise governance and reporting: Some organizations prefer centralized scheduling, dashboards, role-based access, and compliance-grade reporting not native to ZAP.

• Specialized API/SPA handling: Complex SPAs, authentication flows, and API-first apps sometimes need additional setup, custom scripting, or specialized tooling.

• Speed and scalability: At scale, teams may want distributed runners, cloud execution, or managed services to accelerate feedback loops.

• Skill and workflow alignment: Some teams prefer low-code, BDD-style workflows, or test authoring in their primary language/framework rather than configuring a DAST-first tool.

Detailed Breakdown of Alternatives

Artillery

Artillery is an open-source/load-testing tool by Artillery.io for web, APIs, and protocols. Developer-friendly with YAML/JS scenarios.

• Strong CI integration

• Scales distributed load

• Hooks to APM/observability

Compared to ZAP: Focuses on performance, not security scanning; complementary to ZAP in CI.

BackstopJS

BackstopJS is an open-source visual regression tool for the web using headless Chrome.

• Fast visual diffs

• Configurable viewports

• CI-friendly baselines

Compared to ZAP: Targets visual regressions, not vulnerabilities; pairs well with ZAP for UI quality.

BlazeMeter

BlazeMeter is a commercial SaaS for load and performance testing compatible with JMeter, Gatling, and k6.

• Enterprise-scale load

• Centralized analytics

• Test reuse/imports

Compared to ZAP: Performance-focused SaaS; not a DAST scanner; complements ZAP for non-functional coverage.

BrowserStack Automate

BrowserStack Automate provides a managed cloud grid for web and mobile automation.

• Vast browser/device matrix

• Parallel runs at scale

• Rich debugging artifacts

Compared to ZAP: Executes E2E tests; not a security scanner; often used together with ZAP in pipelines.

Burp Suite (Enterprise)

Burp Suite Enterprise is a commercial DAST solution by PortSwigger for automated web/API scanning.

• Enterprise scheduling

• Strong vulnerability coverage

• Centralized reporting

Compared to ZAP: Direct DAST competitor with enterprise orchestration; ZAP is open source and community-driven.

Capybara

Capybara is a Ruby web automation library often paired with RSpec or Cucumber.

• Expressive DSL

• Integrates with Selenium/Playwright

• Strong Ruby ecosystem

Compared to ZAP: Functional/E2E testing, not security scanning; complements ZAP for behavioral coverage.

Cucumber

Cucumber brings BDD to web and API testing using Gherkin across multiple languages.

• Business-readable specs

• Multi-language runners

• Bridges QA/dev/business

Compared to ZAP: BDD framework; not a scanner; pairs with ZAP for security steps in acceptance flows.

Cypress Cloud

Cypress Cloud is a commercial SaaS for Cypress runs, parallelization, and insights.

• Test flake analytics

• Parallel scaling

• Rich dashboards

Compared to ZAP: Manages E2E execution; not a DAST tool; complements ZAP by stabilizing UI test feedback.

Cypress Component Testing

Cypress Component Testing runs front-end components in a real browser.

• Fast component feedback

• Framework integrations

• Developer-centric DX

Compared to ZAP: Validates component behavior, not security; pairs with ZAP at app level.

Datadog Synthetic Tests

Datadog Synthetics offers browser and API checks integrated with Datadog.

• Scripted API/browser tests

• CI/CD integrations

• Unified observability

Compared to ZAP: Production monitoring and reliability checks; not focused on vulnerability scanning.

Eggplant Test

Eggplant (by Keysight) provides model-based automation with computer vision for desktop, web, and mobile.

• Model-based design

• Image recognition

• Cross-platform testing

Compared to ZAP: Functional and UX automation; not a DAST scanner; complements security testing.

FitNesse

FitNesse is a wiki-based acceptance testing framework for web/API.

• Human-readable fixtures

• Collaborative authoring

• CI-friendly execution

Compared to ZAP: Acceptance/ATDD, not security scanning; can host security checks triggered via scripts.

Gatling

Gatling is a high-performance load testing tool with tests written in Scala.

• High throughput engine

• Code-as-tests

• Strong reporting

Compared to ZAP: Performance testing only; complements ZAP for non-functional validation.

Gauge

Gauge is an open-source test automation framework by ThoughtWorks.

• Markdown specs

• Polyglot support

• Plugin ecosystem

Compared to ZAP: General automation, not DAST; can orchestrate ZAP scans within workflows.

Geb

Geb is a Groovy-based web automation DSL built on WebDriver.

• Expressive Groovy DSL

• Spock integration

• Powerful page objects

Compared to ZAP: E2E/UI testing; not a vulnerability scanner; complements ZAP in JVM stacks.

JMeter

JMeter (Apache) is a classic load and protocol testing tool.

• Extensive protocol support

• GUI and CLI modes

• Mature plugin ecosystem

Compared to ZAP: Performance and functional load; not a security scanner; pairs with ZAP for holistic testing.

Katalon Platform (Studio)

Katalon provides a low-code platform for web, mobile, API, and desktop testing.

• Recorder + scripting

• Unified analytics

• CI/CD integrations

Compared to ZAP: Broad functional automation; not DAST; can call ZAP via APIs for security steps.

LambdaTest

LambdaTest is a cloud grid for cross-browser web and mobile testing.

• Real devices/browsers

• Parallel test scaling

• Test artifact insights

Compared to ZAP: Execution infrastructure, not a scanner; complements ZAP with wide environment coverage.

Lighthouse CI

Lighthouse CI automates performance, accessibility, and best practice audits for web apps.

• A11y/performance audits

• Budget assertions

• CI gating

Compared to ZAP: Quality audits, not DAST; use alongside ZAP for balanced quality gates.

LoadRunner

LoadRunner (OpenText, formerly Micro Focus) is an enterprise performance testing suite.

• Large-scale load

• Protocol-level depth

• Enterprise reporting

Compared to ZAP: Performance suite, not a security scanner; complements ZAP in large enterprises.

Locust

Locust is a Python-based load testing framework with user behavior scripts.

• Python ergonomics

• Distributed load

• Web UI monitoring

Compared to ZAP: Performance testing; not a DAST tool; integrates alongside ZAP for API stress tests.

Microsoft Playwright Testing

A managed cloud service by Microsoft for running Playwright tests at scale.

• Managed parallelization

• Rich traces/videos

• Enterprise integration

Compared to ZAP: UI test execution; not vulnerability scanning; complements ZAP for browser reliability.

NeoLoad

NeoLoad (by Tricentis) is an enterprise load and performance testing platform.

• Enterprise orchestration

• CI/CD pipelines

• Realistic user journeys

Compared to ZAP: Performance platform; not DAST; complements ZAP for end-to-end non-functional validation.

New Relic Synthetics

New Relic Synthetics provides scripted browser and API checks integrated with observability.

• Scripted monitors

• SLA/SLO tracking

• Alerting/incident linkage

Compared to ZAP: Production monitoring; not a vulnerability scanner; useful post-deploy while ZAP runs pre-release.

Nightwatch.js

Nightwatch.js is a Node.js E2E framework supporting Selenium and WebDriver.

• Simple test syntax

• Cross-browser support

• CI-friendly CLI

Compared to ZAP: Functional E2E; not DAST; can be used to seed authenticated states for ZAP scans.

Pa11y

Pa11y is an open-source CLI tool for automated accessibility testing.

• WCAG rule checks

• CI-friendly output

• Simple configuration

Compared to ZAP: Accessibility, not security; complements ZAP on inclusive design compliance.

Percy

Percy (by BrowserStack) is a visual testing platform for web apps.

• Snapshot-based diffs

• Git/CI integration

• Review workflows

Compared to ZAP: Visual quality, not vulnerabilities; pairs with ZAP to guard UX changes.

Pingdom

Pingdom provides uptime monitoring and transactional checks for web/API.

• Synthetic transactions

• Uptime/SLA metrics

• Alerting and reports

Compared to ZAP: Reliability monitoring, not DAST; complements ZAP by validating live availability.

Playwright Component Testing

Component-first testing with Playwright for modern web frameworks.

• Real browser rendering

• Fast dev feedback

• Framework adapters

Compared to ZAP: Component behavior, not security; complements ZAP at the micro-UI level.

Playwright Test

Playwright’s first-class test runner for web automation.

• Auto-waits and traces

• Cross-browser by default

• Parallel execution

Compared to ZAP: Functional/browser automation; not a vulnerability scanner; integrates alongside ZAP in CI.

QA Wolf

QA Wolf offers E2E testing as a service using Playwright-backed tooling.

• Done-for-you tests

• 24/7 maintenance

• Fast parallel runs

Compared to ZAP: Managed E2E, not DAST; suitable for teams offloading UI testing while running ZAP separately.

Ranorex

Ranorex is a commercial automation tool for desktop, web, and mobile.

• Object repository

• Recorder + coding

• Strong Windows desktop support

Compared to ZAP: Functional automation; not a DAST tool; complements security validation.

Robot Framework + SeleniumLibrary

Robot Framework with SeleniumLibrary delivers keyword-driven web automation.

• Human-readable keywords

• Large ecosystem

• Multi-language libraries

Compared to ZAP: Functional UI testing; not a security scanner; can orchestrate ZAP via keywords/scripts.

Sauce Labs

Sauce Labs offers a cloud grid for browsers, emulators, and real mobile devices.

• Massive device coverage

• Parallel execution

• Debugging/video artifacts

Compared to ZAP: Execution infrastructure; not DAST; pairs with ZAP for cross-environment validation.

Selene (Yashaka)

Selene is a Python wrapper for Selenium inspired by Selenide.

• Fluent, concise API

• Smart waits

• Pythonic design

Compared to ZAP: UI automation; not a security scanner; complements ZAP for functional coverage.

Selenide

Selenide is a Java test framework that wraps Selenium with concise API and smart waits.

• Stable, readable tests

• Built-in waits/retries

• JVM ecosystem fit

Compared to ZAP: E2E automation; not DAST; complements ZAP in Java-heavy stacks.

Serenity BDD

Serenity BDD is an open-source framework with rich reporting and Screenplay pattern.

• Living documentation

• Detailed reports

• Screenplay abstractions

Compared to ZAP: Functional/BDD automation; not a security scanner; can trigger ZAP scans programmatically.

Squish

Squish (by froglogic/The Qt Group) targets Qt, QML, embedded, desktop, and web GUIs.

• Strong Qt support

• Multi-language scripting

• Object-based + image-based

Compared to ZAP: GUI automation breadth; not DAST; complements ZAP in embedded/desktop-web hybrids.

Storybook Test Runner

Runs tests against Storybook stories using Playwright.

• Test UIs in isolation

• Fast feedback loop

• Composable with visual tools

Compared to ZAP: Component-level validation; not a DAST scanner; pairs with ZAP for secure UI delivery.

TestCafe

TestCafe is a Node.js E2E framework that runs without WebDriver.

• No WebDriver dependency

• Isolated browser context

• Parallel execution

Compared to ZAP: Functional automation; not vulnerability scanning; complements ZAP for UI/API flows.

TestCafe Studio

TestCafe Studio is a commercial, codeless IDE variant of TestCafe.

• Recorder-based authoring

• Visual debugging

• CI export options

Compared to ZAP: Low-code UI testing; not DAST; integrates alongside ZAP in release pipelines.

TestComplete

TestComplete (by SmartBear) is a commercial tool for desktop, web, and mobile automation.

• Record/playback + coding

• Object repository

• Extensive integrations

Compared to ZAP: Functional automation suite; not a DAST scanner; complements ZAP with end-to-end coverage.

Testim

Testim (by SmartBear) provides AI-assisted E2E web testing with self-healing locators.

• Self-healing selectors

• Low-code flows

• CI/CD integrations

Compared to ZAP: Functional AI-assisted testing; not DAST; pairs with ZAP for security gates.

Tricentis Tosca

Tosca (by Tricentis) is an enterprise model-based test automation platform.

• Model-based authoring

• SAP/enterprise depth

• Orchestration and analytics

Compared to ZAP: Enterprise functional automation; not a security scanner; complements ZAP at scale.

Watir

Watir is a Ruby-based web automation library.

• Simple Ruby API

• Stable WebDriver support

• Strong Ruby community

Compared to ZAP: E2E automation; not DAST; complements ZAP for behavior-driven checks.

axe-core / axe DevTools

axe-core (by Deque) is an accessibility engine with commercial tooling options.

• Robust a11y rules

• CI integration

• Developer-friendly outputs

Compared to ZAP: Accessibility scanning, not security; pairs with ZAP for inclusive and secure apps.

k6

k6 (by Grafana Labs) is a developer-centric load testing tool with JS scripting and a cloud option.

• JS-based scenarios

• High-performance engine

• Observability integrations

Compared to ZAP: Load testing, not DAST; complements ZAP for performance SLAs.

reg-suit

reg-suit is an open-source visual regression toolkit for CI pipelines.

• CI-first design

• Pluggable storage

• Straightforward diffs

Compared to ZAP: Visual testing, not security scanning; complements ZAP for UI stability.

Things to Consider Before Choosing a ZAP Alternative

• Testing scope and depth: Do you need security scanning, functional/E2E, performance, accessibility, visual checks, or a combination?

• Language and ecosystem fit: Match tools to your primary stack (Java, JS/TS, Python, Ruby, .NET) and frameworks.

• Ease of setup and maintenance: Consider onboarding effort, configuration complexity, and ongoing upkeep.

• Execution speed and scalability: Look for distributed/cloud execution, parallelization, and smart retry/wait strategies.

• CI/CD integration: Ensure first-class CLI support, containerization, test reports, and gates fit your pipeline.

• Debugging and observability: Favor tools with traces, videos, network logs, console capture, and integrations with APM/metrics.

• Authentication and modern app support: SPA flows, OAuth/OIDC, and API-first patterns may require specialized handling.

• Reporting and governance: Central dashboards, historical trends, RBAC, and compliance features can matter for enterprises.

• Community and support: OSS community health or vendor SLAs can affect long-term sustainability.

• Cost and licensing: Balance open source flexibility with commercial support, cloud execution costs, and enterprise features.

Conclusion

OWASP ZAP remains a trusted, automation-friendly DAST solution with a strong community footprint. For teams focused on web and API security, it continues to deliver significant value, especially when integrated into CI/CD. That said, modern quality practices extend beyond vulnerability scanning. Organizations often pair, or in some cases opt for, alternatives to address different needs: load and performance (Artillery, k6, JMeter, Gatling, NeoLoad, LoadRunner, BlazeMeter), cross-browser/device coverage (BrowserStack Automate, Sauce Labs, LambdaTest, Microsoft Playwright Testing), E2E/functional testing (Playwright Test, TestCafe, Nightwatch.js, Robot Framework, Katalon, Ranorex, Tricentis Tosca), component and visual validation (Cypress/Playwright Component Testing, BackstopJS, Percy, reg-suit, Storybook Test Runner), accessibility (axe-core, Pa11y, Lighthouse CI), and reliability monitoring (Datadog Synthetics, New Relic Synthetics, Pingdom).

If your primary need is automated security scanning with enterprise scheduling, dashboards, and governance, consider Burp Suite Enterprise as a direct DAST alternative. If your goal is comprehensive web/API quality, combine ZAP (or a DAST equivalent) with performance, E2E, visual, and accessibility tools from this list. This layered approach yields faster feedback, higher confidence, and better alignment with modern DevSecOps practices.