Acunetix
Acunetix is a comprehensive web application security scanner that automatically detects vulnerabilities like SQL injection and Cross-Site Scripting to help you secure your websites, applications, and APIs effectively.
Cobalt
Cobalt is a Pentest as a Service platform that combines SaaS efficiency with a global community of security experts to identify and remediate vulnerabilities in your applications.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Acunetix | Cobalt |
|---|---|---|
| Website | acunetix.com | cobalt.io |
| Pricing Model | Custom | Custom |
| Starting Price | Custom Pricing | Custom Pricing |
| FREE Trial | ✓ 0 days free trial | ✘ No free trial |
| Free Plan | ✘ No free plan | ✘ No free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2004 | 2013 |
| Headquarters | London, UK | San Francisco, USA |
Overview
Acunetix
Acunetix provides an automated way for you to find and fix security gaps in your web applications and APIs. Instead of manual testing, you can run high-speed scans that identify over 7,000 vulnerabilities, including SQL injection, XSS, and misconfigurations. It crawls complex architectures, including Single Page Applications and password-protected areas, ensuring you don't miss hidden entry points that hackers might exploit.
You can integrate security testing directly into your development pipeline to catch issues before they reach production. The platform provides clear, actionable reports that help your developers understand exactly how to remediate risks. Whether you manage a single website or a massive portfolio of enterprise applications, it helps you maintain a strong security posture without slowing down your release cycles.
Cobalt
Cobalt transforms traditional penetration testing into a dynamic, tech-enabled experience through its Pentest as a Service (PtaaS) platform. You can move away from slow, static PDF reports and instead launch comprehensive security assessments in days rather than weeks. The platform connects you directly with a vetted community of on-demand security researchers who test your web applications, APIs, and cloud infrastructure in real-time.
You can manage the entire testing lifecycle from a single dashboard, allowing your developers to communicate directly with testers for faster vulnerability remediation. It integrates with your existing development workflows to ensure security keeps pace with your release cycles. Whether you need to meet compliance requirements like SOC2 or harden your external attack surface, you get actionable data and on-demand retesting to stay secure.
Overview
Acunetix Features
- DeepScan Technology Crawl complex websites and single-page applications built with HTML5 and JavaScript to find vulnerabilities hidden deep in your code.
- AcuSensor Technology Combine black-box scanning with source code analysis to achieve higher detection rates and significantly reduce time-wasting false positives.
- Automated Vulnerability Management Prioritize risks automatically based on business impact so you can focus your remediation efforts on the most critical threats first.
- CI/CD Integration Connect security scans directly into your DevOps tools like Jenkins or Azure DevOps to catch vulnerabilities during the build process.
- Network Security Scanning Scan your perimeter network services alongside your web apps to identify open ports and insecure network configurations in one go.
- Interactive Reporting Generate specialized reports for developers or compliance auditors to meet regulatory requirements like PCI DSS, HIPAA, and ISO 27001.
Cobalt Features
- On-Demand Pentesting. Launch a manual pentest in as little as 24 hours to meet tight production deadlines or compliance windows.
- Real-Time Reporting. View vulnerabilities as testers find them so your team can start fixing critical bugs before the test even finishes.
- Direct Researcher Access. Chat directly with your assigned security experts to clarify findings and get specific guidance on complex remediation steps.
- SDLC Integrations. Push findings automatically to Jira, GitHub, or Slack so your developers can manage security fixes in their existing tools.
- Complimentary Retesting. Request a free retest once you've applied a fix to ensure the vulnerability is fully resolved and verified.
- Compliance Reporting. Generate audit-ready reports for SOC2, HIPAA, and PCI-DSS with a single click to satisfy your stakeholders and auditors.
Pricing Comparison
Acunetix Pricing
Cobalt Pricing
Pros & Cons
Acunetix
Pros
- Extremely low false positive rate saves manual verification time
- Fast scanning engine completes complex crawls quickly
- Detailed remediation guidance helps developers fix bugs faster
- Excellent coverage of modern JavaScript-heavy applications
Cons
- Pricing can be high for small organizations
- Initial configuration requires some technical security knowledge
- Reporting templates can feel rigid for custom needs
Cobalt
Pros
- Significantly faster setup time than traditional consulting firms
- Direct communication with testers speeds up remediation
- Clean dashboard replaces messy PDF report management
- High-quality, vetted researchers provide deep manual insights
Cons
- Credit-based pricing can be complex to forecast
- Platform focus is primarily on manual testing over automation
- Premium pricing reflects the high-touch expert service