Top 5 API Security Testing Tools in 2024

APIs have become the backbone of software development, enabling integration and communication between different systems and applications. As the reliance on APIs (e.g. AI APIs) grows, so does the importance of ensuring their security. A breach in API security can lead to: 

• critical data leaks,
• unauthorized access, 
• and a host of other cybersecurity threats that can undermine an organization’s integrity and customer trust.

Considering 30+ API security tools in the market, businesses may face constraints in choosing the most viable option. Recognizing the pivotal role of API security, this article explores the top six API security testing tools.

*Vendors are ranked according to their ratings, except Invicti, who is a sponsor of AIMultiple

Differentiating features of API security tools

You can check the explanation of each feature’s significance for API security.

These tools also share common core features that are vital for API security tools.

Selection Criteria:

• Employee Size: Our attention was on firms employing more than 50 individuals, recognizing the link between a business’s revenue and workforce size.
• Feedback from B2B: Our preference was for vendors that garnered feedback from at least 50 users on B2B review platforms like G2 and Capterra, showcasing a strong market footprint corroborated by customer reviews.

Invicti

Invicti is a web application security scanner that includes capabilities for testing and securing web APIs. Invicti specializes in automating penetration tests for web applications and APIs, featuring Proof-Based Scanning™ to minimize false positives. Its integration capabilities make it ideal for embedding continuous security testing within the software development lifecycle, focusing on a wide range of vulnerabilities, including SQL injection and XSS.

Reviews

Capterra: 4.7 based on 18 reviews ¹

G2: 4.5 based on 54 reviews²

Postman

Postman is known as an API development platform that provides tools for secure API management, design, and testing. Its environment variables protect sensitive data, while mock servers and access controls ensure safe API testing and collaboration. Comprehensive documentation capabilities underscore the platform’s commitment to secure and correct API usage.

Reviews

Capterra: 4.8 based on 477 reviews³

G2: 4.6 based on 1171 reviews⁴

Wallarm API Security Platform

The Wallarm API Security Platform offers a solution for securing APIs in cloud and on-premises environments. It automates the discovery of all types of APIs and identifies vulnerabilities through extensive scanning. The platform protects against a broad range of threats, including OWASP Top 10 risks and DDoS attacks, with adaptive security algorithms. 

Wallarm also analyzes API behavior to detect and prevent potential abuses. Its focus on compliance assists organizations in adhering to standards like GDPR and PCI DSS, supported by detailed reporting for audits. Designed to integrate with CI/CD pipelines and DevOps practices, Wallarm ensures continuous security assessment throughout the development lifecycle, making it an effective tool for modern API protection.

Reviews

Capterra: 4.8 based on 477 reviews ⁵

G2: 4.7 based on 90 reviews ⁶

Portswigger Burp Suite

Portswigger Burp Suite has an extensive toolkit tailored for the security testing of web applications and APIs, especially those based on REST or SOAP protocols. It offers a hands-on approach for security professionals to perform detailed assessments and identify security flaws in web services.

Reviews

Capterra: 4.8 based on 24 reviews⁷

G2: 4.8 based on 112 reviews⁸

Cloudflare Application Security and Performance

Cloudflare offers a comprehensive suite that includes a Web Application Firewall (WAF), DDoS protection, Rate Limiting, and SSL/TLS encryption, along with a Content Delivery Network (CDN) for optimized global content delivery. Unique features like Bot Management, an API Gateway, Argo Smart Routing, and Cloudflare Workers for edge computing further enhance its application security and performance capabilities.

Reviews

Capterra: 5.0 based on 5 reviews ⁹

G2: 4.6 based on 454 reviews ¹⁰

What are the core features of API security tools?

Authentication and Authorization

Ensuring that only authenticated users can access the API and that they are authorized to perform specific actions. This often involves the use of tokens (like JWT – JSON Web Tokens), OAuth, API keys, and other mechanisms to verify the identity of users and services.

Encryption, Compliance and Data Protection

Ensure that the API and its security measures comply with relevant regulations and standards, such as GDPR, HIPAA, or PCI-DSS, and implement features to protect sensitive data, like data masking and tokenization.

Using protocols like TLS (Transport Layer Security) to encrypt data in transit between the client and the server, ensuring that sensitive information is protected from eavesdropping and man-in-the-middle attacks.

Rate Limiting and Throttling

Controlling the number of requests a user or service can make to an API within a certain timeframe to prevent abuse and ensure that the API remains available for all users.

Input Validation

Checking all incoming data for validity to prevent common vulnerabilities such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and other injection attacks. This includes validating headers, query parameters, and body content.

Access Controls

Implementing fine-grained access controls to ensure that users and services can only access the resources and perform the actions that are appropriate for their level of privilege.

Logging and Monitoring

Keep detailed logs of API activity and monitor these logs for suspicious behavior. This can help in detecting and responding to security incidents more quickly.

Anomaly Detection

Using AI and machine learning algorithms to analyze API traffic patterns and detect anomalies that could indicate a security threat, such as a sudden spike in traffic or unusual patterns that deviate from normal behavior.

API Gateway Security

An API gateway is used to enforce security policies, such as authentication, authorization, SSL termination, and IP filtering, before the traffic reaches the API server.

Vulnerability Scanning and Penetration Testing

Regularly scanning APIs for known vulnerabilities and conducting penetration tests to identify potential security weaknesses before they can be exploited by attackers.

For vulnerability scanning tools:

“Top Vulnerability Scanning Tools”

Incident Response and Management

Providing tools for responding to security incidents, including automated responses to certain types of attacks and integrations with incident response platforms.

Why are the differentiating features vital for API security tools?

WAF Integration

Integrating Web Application Firewalls (WAFs) with API security tools is valuable because it provides a line of defense against a wide range of web-based threats targeting APIs. By filtering and monitoring HTTP traffic between web applications and the internet, a WAF can detect and block malicious requests before they reach the API, thus preventing attacks such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and other common vulnerabilities.

This integration enhances overall security by offering an additional layer of protection that complements the specific, fine-grained controls provided by API security tools, ensuring a comprehensive security posture for web applications.

On-Prem deployment

On-Premises (On-Prem) deployment of API security tools is valuable because it offers organizations complete control over their security infrastructure and sensitive data. This deployment model is particularly beneficial for businesses subject to stringent regulatory requirements or those that handle highly sensitive information, as it allows for tighter security measures, customized configurations, and direct oversight of the security environment.

On-Prem deployment minimizes external exposure and reduces dependency on third-party providers, ensuring that critical security functions remain within the organization’s controlled perimeter, thereby enhancing the overall security posture and compliance with industry standards and regulations.

OAuth 2.0 integration

OAuth 2.0 is valuable for API security tools because it provides a framework for managing access control, allowing selective delegation of user authentication and authorization without exposing user credentials. By utilizing access tokens instead of credentials, OAuth 2.0 minimizes the risk of credential theft and enables fine-grained access control to API resources.

This ensures that only authenticated and authorized applications or users can access sensitive data, enhancing the overall security posture of APIs and protecting against unauthorized access and data breaches.

Further Reading:

• Top Application Security Testing Tools
• Top Vulnerability Scanning Tools
• Top Dast Tools

API Security Tools FAQ

If you have further questions, reach us:

External Links

• 1. “Invicti”. Capterra
• 2. “Invicti”. G2
• 3. “Postman”. Capterra
• 4. “Postman”. G2
• 5. “Wallarm API Security Platform”. Capterra
• 6. “Wallarm API Security Platform”. G2
• 7. “PortSwigger” Capterra
• 8. “PortSwigger” G2
• 9. “Cloudflare Application and Security Performance” Capterra
• 10. “Cloudflare Application and Security Performance” G2