








Astra DAST is a next-generation dynamic application security testing tool built to protect modern web applications against evolving threats. It adapts to complex authentication methods such as MFA and SSO, while accurately scanning JavaScript-heavy Single Page Applications (SPAs).
Beyond the OWASP Top 10, it detects millions of vulnerabilities and integrates seamlessly into DevSecOps workflows through CI/CD pipelines and cloud-native platforms like AWS, GCP, Azure, and Kubernetes. With AI-powered fix guidance, rapid rescans, and guaranteed false positive reduction, Astra DAST ensures strong application security without slowing down development cycles.
Here are the key features of Astra DAST :
Astra DAST Scanner is a dynamic application security testing solution designed to identify vulnerabilities in web applications during runtime. Unlike static analysis tools that examine source code, this platform performs live testing by interacting with your applications as an attacker would, making it particularly valuable for detecting security flaws that only emerge during actual execution. The tool is designed for development teams, security professionals, and organizations seeking to integrate robust security testing into their CI/CD pipelines without requiring extensive security expertise.
What sets Astra apart in the crowded DAST market is its Focus on reducing false positives while maintaining comprehensive coverage of the OWASP Top 10 vulnerabilities and beyond. The platform combines automated scanning capabilities with intelligent analysis to deliver actionable insights rather than overwhelming security teams with irrelevant alerts. This approach makes it particularly suitable for teams that need reliable security testing but lack dedicated security specialists to filter through countless potential issues.
The scanner's cloud-native architecture enables seamless integration with modern development workflows, supporting both scheduled scans and on-demand testing triggered by code deployments. This flexibility allows organizations to implement security testing at various stages of their development lifecycle, from early development phases through production monitoring.
This comprehensive feature set makes Astra DAST Scanner particularly valuable for organizations seeking to establish robust application security practices without the complexity typically associated with enterprise security tools. The platform’s focus on practical usability, combined with enterprise-grade security testing capabilities, creates an effective solution for teams at various stages of their security journey.
Astra Security offers a flexible pricing model tailored to the diverse needs of organizations, from startups to large enterprises. Prices are calculated based on the number of scans and the advanced features required.
Here is an overview of the different plans available for Astra DAST Scanner:
| Plan | Price | Included |
|---|---|---|
| Starter | $199/month | Up to 5 scans per month, email support, basic dashboard |
| Professional | $499/month | Up to 20 scans per month, API access, advanced reports, priority support |
| Enterprise | We quote | Unlimited scans, CI/CD integrations, dedicated support, customized SLAs |
| Trial | Free | 1 free scan, limited access to features, 7-day trial |
The Starter plan is ideal for small development teams or projects in the launch phase that want to incorporate security without a significant upfront investment. With five monthly scans, it enables regular testing of critical web applications while providing access to Astra DAST’s core features. Email support ensures that self-sufficient teams with in-house technical expertise receive the guidance they need.
For more established organizations, the Professional plan offers excellent value for money with its twenty monthly scans and API access. This option enables the automation of security tests and their integration into existing workflows. Advanced reports facilitate communication with leadership teams and the tracking of security metrics over time. Priority support guarantees rapid resolution of technical issues.
The Enterprise plan is designed for large organizations with specific application security needs. Quote-based pricing allows the solution to be tailored precisely to budgetary and operational constraints. Unlimited scans eliminate any restrictions on the number of tests, which is particularly useful for continuous development environments with numerous daily deployments. Native integration with CI/CD pipelines fully automates security checks, while dedicated support and customized SLAs ensure maximum service availability.
The free trial is an excellent way to start evaluating how well Astra DAST fits your needs. A full scan identifies existing vulnerabilities and lets you see the quality of the generated reports. This seven-day trial period gives you plenty of time to test the interface, understand the workflows, and assess how easily it integrates with your existing tools.
Astra Security also offers annual billing options with substantial discounts, typically ranging from 15% to 20% depending on the plan selected. This approach significantly reduces costs for organizations planning for long-term use. Multi-year contracts offer even more favorable terms, which are particularly attractive to large companies looking to lock in their security budget across multiple fiscal years.
Astra DAST is competitively priced in the market for professional DAST solutions. Compared to competing solutions such as Burp Suite Professional or OWASP ZAP Pro, it offers an excellent balance between advanced features and affordability. The ability to switch between plans during a subscription makes it easy to adapt to the changing needs of growing organizations.
1️⃣ If you are a freelancer or consultant:
For freelancers specializing in web security, OWASP ZAP is an excellent free alternative that allows you to offer comprehensive DAST audits to your clients without incurring licensing costs. This open-source tool offers robust features for scanning web vulnerabilities and generates detailed reports that you can present professionally. Burp Suite Community Edition is also a wise choice for getting started in security auditing, particularly if you want to gain skills in an industry-recognized tool. Its intuitive interface makes it easy to learn penetration testing techniques. Nuclei stands out for its speed and active community, which maintains a constantly updated database of vulnerability templates—ideal for performing quick scans during short engagements.
2️⃣ If you are a startup:
Startups in the product development phase will particularly benefit from StackHawk, which integrates seamlessly into CI/CD pipelines and enables automated security testing from the earliest stages of development. Its tiered pricing structure scales with the growth of your technical team. Rapid7 AppSpider offers an excellent balance between advanced features and ease of use, with sophisticated crawling capabilities suitable for modern web applications that rely heavily on JavaScript. For DevOps teams, GitLab SAST/DAST integrated directly into your development workflow offers the advantage of centralizing security and development within a single ecosystem, thereby reducing operational complexity while maintaining a high level of security from the very first deployments.
3️⃣ If you are a VSB or SME:
Established companies with defined security budgets will find Netsparker (now part of Invicti) to be a comprehensive solution that excels at automated vulnerability detection with a particularly low false positive rate, thereby reducing the time required for manual validation. Its automated proof system allows your teams to effectively prioritize fixes. Veracode Dynamic Analysis is perfectly suited for organizations subject to strict compliance requirements, offering detailed reports and complete traceability of discovered vulnerabilities. Checkmarx DAST stands out for its ability to analyze complex web applications and adapt to the multi-tier architectures typical of SMEs, while providing context-specific remediation recommendations that streamline the work of internal development teams.
Otherwise, these other software programs may also be a good alternative to Astra DAST Scanner.