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In 2024, securing your applications against cyber threats is more critical than ever. Static Application Security Testing (SAST) tools are essential for identifying vulnerabilities early in the software development lifecycle and is very useful in software Testing. By analyzing your code without executing it, SAST tools help you catch security flaws before they become major issues.
This blog post will guide you through the 20 best SAST tools available in 2024. Whether you’re a developer, a security professional, or a tech enthusiast, these tools will help you strengthen your application’s security. From open-source options to enterprise-grade solutions, there’s a tool for every need.
Here are my top 10 picks from the 20 SAST tools list I reviewed, listed in a more straightforward way:
These tools are selected based on their user-friendly features and benefits for developers and software teams.
Static Application Security Testing (SAST) tools are software designed to examine source code, bytecode, or binary code to uncover potential security vulnerabilities. These tools conduct automated scans of application code to pinpoint coding errors, weaknesses, or vulnerabilities without executing the code. SAST tools are typically employed during the early stages of software development.
The advantages and applications of SAST tools are manifold. They facilitate the early detection and resolution of security vulnerabilities, thereby bolstering the overall security posture of software applications. SAST tools also aid in upholding code quality and compliance with coding standards, mitigating the risk of security breaches in the final product.
By integrating into the software development lifecycle, SAST tools empower developers to proactively address security concerns, thereby saving time and costs associated with post-deployment fixes. Given the prevalent emphasis on cybersecurity, SAST tools are indispensable for developing secure software applications today.
Here is a concise overview of each of the top 10 static application security testing (SAST) tools, highlighting their key use cases, standout features, and interface snapshots:
Best with an AI bot to help detect outliers.
Key Features:
These tools provide effective security management by centralizing data and integrating with various development and deployment platforms. They cater to diverse needs and budgets, enabling proactive security testing throughout the software development lifecycle.
Makes it easy to track and revert changes made to code repositories.
Key Features
Pricing
GitHub provides a comprehensive platform for code collaboration and security enhancements, allowing developers to identify and fix vulnerabilities before merging code into repositories. Its integration of security tools into the development workflow enables proactive security measures, making it a valuable tool for software development teams of all sizes.
Key Use Case: Provides deep observability and intelligent automation for application and infrastructure monitoring.
Key Features
Pricing
Pricing is based on individual components:
Dynatrace simplifies cloud complexity by offering AI-powered automation and deep observability. It aims to accelerate software delivery while ensuring security through its intelligent monitoring and automation capabilities. The platform provides a holistic view of computing environments to enhance digital experiences and optimize operations. The pricing structure is component-based, allowing users to choose specific features that align with their monitoring and security needs.
Simplifies static code analysis with minimal configuration and emphasizes code health solutions.
Key Features
Pricing
DeepSource is an advanced static analysis platform designed to enhance code quality and security for DevSecOps and QA teams. It streamlines code analysis with minimal setup, offering continuous monitoring and automatic bug fixing to prevent vulnerabilities from reaching production.
The platform integrates seamlessly with popular version control systems and supports various programming languages, making it adaptable for diverse software development environments. With a focus on shift-left security practices, DeepSource empowers teams to proactively address code issues early in the development process.
Provides seamless end-to-end testing and vulnerability management with minimal disruption.
KeyFeatures
Pricing
GuardRails is a security tool that empowers developers and security teams to maintain code security through continuous protection and streamlined integration. It operates quietly in the background, minimizing disruptions while providing essential security alerts when significant vulnerabilities are detected.
GuardRails enhances productivity by seamlessly integrating into existing workflows and version control systems, particularly GitHub. With flexible pricing tiers catering to different team sizes and security needs, GuardRails offers a comprehensive solution for ensuring application security throughout the development lifecycle.
Open-source software development platform offering code review, issue tracking, and version control.
Key Features
Pricing
GitLab is a comprehensive open-source platform designed to facilitate modern application development and streamline software delivery processes. It provides essential functionalities such as code repository management, version control, and built-in DevOps workflows like CI/CD pipelines.
GitLab enhances developer productivity and collaboration while offering scalable pricing tiers to accommodate individual users, teams, and organizations with varying security and compliance requirements. With its focus on automation and efficiency, GitLab is a valuable tool for organizations aiming to accelerate their digital transformation journey.
Enables developer productivity through code snippets and static analysis (SAST) tools.
KeyFeatures
Pricing
Codiga is a scalable static analysis tool designed to enhance developer productivity and code quality. It supports early detection of quality defects through automated code reviews and context-based suggestions. Codiga’s Coding Assistant simplifies code sharing and reuse directly from the integrated development environment (IDE), promoting collaboration among team members.
With features like automated code scanning, workflow management, and continuous integration support, Codiga offers a comprehensive solution for software engineering teams seeking to optimize their development processes. The pricing structure includes a free version for open-source developers and a Teams tier priced affordably for software engineering teams.
Automates static code analysis to continuously inspect and improve code quality.
Key Features
Pricing
SonarQube is a versatile static code analysis tool that helps developers write safer and cleaner code by automating code inspection. It supports a wide range of programming languages and integrates with popular version control platforms to provide code review feedback during the development process.
SonarQube’s seamless integration with IDEs and CI/CD workflows enhances developer productivity and promotes continuous improvement in code quality. While the Community Edition is free and open-source, commercial editions offer advanced features and support tailored to enterprise needs, with pricing based on factors such as lines of code to be analyzed.
Bridges API security testing and application security closer to developers, integrating seamlessly into CI/CD pipelines.
Key Features
Pricing
StackHawk is a modern dynamic application security testing tool designed to empower developers in identifying and fixing security vulnerabilities. It integrates seamlessly into CI/CD pipelines and DevOps workflows, enabling continuous security testing throughout the software development lifecycle.
StackHawk’s focus on API security testing and DAST ensures comprehensive coverage of vulnerabilities introduced through both source code and third-party components. With affordable pricing tiers catering to individual developers and enterprise teams, StackHawk provides a scalable solution for organizations seeking to strengthen their application security posture with developer-friendly tools.
Automates and scales static application testing to improve security and code quality.
Key Features
Pricing
Flawnter is a static code analyzer designed to automate and scale static application testing, enhancing security and code quality. It specializes in uncovering hidden security bugs through comprehensive static analysis. Flawnter operates as a standalone application compatible with both Windows and Linux systems, offering flexibility in deployment. Users can leverage custom extensions to expand code testing coverage and streamline vulnerability scanning.
With support for multi-language scanning, debugging, and seamless integration into IDEs and CI/CD pipelines, Flawnter provides a robust solution for organizations seeking to strengthen their application security practices. Pricing options include annual per-user licenses and shorter-term licenses, catering to individual users and enterprise needs. For enterprise-wide licensing inquiries, users are encouraged to reach out to Flawnter’s sales team for personalized quotes and assistance.
Here are a few more SAST tools that didn’t make the list but are worth checking out.
11. Mend SAST; Emphasizes speed without sacrificing security in enterprise application development
12. IDA Pro: Interactive disassembler and binary code analysis tool for in-depth code behavioral insight
13. Nexus Lifecycle: Provides a single tool to automate supply chain management throughout the SDLC lifecycle
14. Codacy: DevOps intelligence platform with high-quality code on 40+ programming languages.
15. Klocwork: Static code analysis and SAST tool for C, C++, C#, Java, JavaScript, Python, and Kotlin.
15. Brinqa: Consolidate, prioritize and manage findings from all your AST tools.
16. LGTM: Explore this Free SAST tool for open source projects.
17. Reshift: Code security tool that secures your code as you build
18. Veracode: Integrate automated AppSec testing into your CI/CD pipeline.
19. SpectralOps: Advanced AI backed technology with over 2000 detectors to discover and classify your data silos and uncover data breaches.
When selecting the best static application security testing (SAST) tool, consider the following criteria for evaluation:
Look for a UI that offers intuitive guidance, making it easy for users to explore application elements and understand testing results efficiently.
Choose tools that are user-friendly and easy to configure. Prefer tools available as plugins for popular integrated development environments (IDEs), allowing seamless integration and usage by developers
Ensure the SAST tool supports workflow integration through API endpoints. This capability enables seamless incorporation into existing development pipelines and tools.
Opt for a versatile SAST tool that can scan security vulnerabilities across multiple programming languages commonly used by developers.
Select a SAST platform that can scale effectively to handle large volumes of software scans without compromising performance.
Look for a SAST tool that proficiently detects and identifies well-known security threats, such as code injection flaws and buffer overflow vulnerabilities listed in the OWASP Top Ten.
Choose a tool capable of white-box testing, which includes the ability to analyze binaries and reverse engineer assembly language code for comprehensive security testing.
Evaluate the cost-effectiveness of the tool. Ideally, the SAST tool should provide excellent value for the investment, delivering robust security testing capabilities and additional features that exceed expectations.
By considering these criteria, you can assess and select a static application security testing tool that aligns with your organization’s development environment, security requirements, and budget, ensuring effective and efficient application security testing throughout the software development lifecycle.
Using static application security testing (SAST) tools effectively involves integrating them into the software development lifecycle and leveraging key features to enhance code security. Here’s how to use SAST tooling and the essential features to consider:
By leveraging these key features and integrating SAST tools effectively into the development process, organizations can enhance the security posture of their applications, reduce the risk of security breaches, and deliver more secure software to end-users. Regular use of SAST tools coupled with developer training and proactive remediation strategies can significantly improve code quality and security throughout the software development lifecycle.
In conclusion, selecting the right static application security testing (SAST) tool is crucial for enhancing code security and preventing vulnerabilities in software applications. By considering key criteria such as user interface (UI), usability, integrations, language support, scalability, vulnerability detection capabilities, and value for money, organizations can make informed decisions to integrate SAST tools effectively into their development workflows.
Early and continuous use of SAST tools, coupled with developer training and proactive bug tracking, ensures that security issues are identified and addressed early in the software development lifecycle. Ultimately, leveraging SAST tools with advanced features like real-time analytics and comprehensive code analysis empowers DevSecOps teams to deliver more secure and reliable software applications.
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