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Acunetix vs HCL AppScan comparison

Invicti and HCLSoftware are both solutions in the Application Security Tools category. Invicti is ranked #17 with an average rating of 8.3, while HCLSoftware is ranked #14 with an average rating of 7.9. Invicti holds a 2.7% mindshare in AS, compared to HCLSoftware ’s 2.6% mindshare. Additionally, 86% of Invicti users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 83% of HCLSoftware users who would recommend it.
Acunetix
Read 32 Acunetix reviews
  • 3,283 Views
  • 2,632 Comparison Views
86% willing to recommend
HCL AppScan
Read 43 HCL AppScan reviews
  • 3,792 Views
  • 2,867 Comparison Views
83% willing to recommend
 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Oct 8, 2024

HCL AppScan and Acunetix compete in the application security market. HCL AppScan has an edge due to its robust support and cost-effectiveness, whereas Acunetix stands out with its feature comprehensiveness.

Features: HCL AppScan offers extensive integration capabilities, detailed security analysis, and strong support. Acunetix provides accurate scanning, a wide vulnerability coverage, and quick results.

Room for Improvement: HCL AppScan could enhance scan speed, workflow intuitiveness, and integration features. Acunetix might improve scalability, proactive integrations, and user interface.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: HCL AppScan has streamlined deployment and reliable customer support. Acunetix provides both cloud and on-premise solutions with responsive assistance.

Pricing and ROI: HCL AppScan is cost-effective with compelling ROI due to low setup costs. Acunetix offers high ROI justifying its higher initial costs with its features.

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To learn more, read our detailed Acunetix vs. HCL AppScan Report (Updated: March 2025).
Buyer's Guide
Acunetix vs. HCL AppScan
March 2025
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Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Categories and Ranking

Acunetix
Ranking in Application Security Tools
17th
Ranking in Static Application Security Testing (SAST)
14th
Average Rating
7.8
Reviews Sentiment
6.9
Number of Reviews
32
Ranking in other categories
Vulnerability Management (23rd), DevSecOps (6th)
HCL AppScan
Ranking in Application Security Tools
14th
Ranking in Static Application Security Testing (SAST)
10th
Average Rating
7.8
Reviews Sentiment
6.9
Number of Reviews
43
Ranking in other categories
Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) (1st)
 

Mindshare comparison

As of April 2025, in the Application Security Tools category, the mindshare of Acunetix is 2.7%, up from 2.2% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of HCL AppScan is 2.6%, down from 2.7% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Application Security Tools
 

Featured Reviews

AnubhavGoswami - PeerSpot reviewer
Attractive automated reports with boost user productivity and an easy setup
The primary use is mainly related to vulnerability assessment, including both public and internal IP addresses By using this tool, we have reduced the workload and increased the productivity of users. It generates automated reports. This feature is beneficial when sharing reports with clients as…
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Rishi Anupam - PeerSpot reviewer
A stable and scalable scanning solution with good reporting feature
The solution is used for the vulnerabilities scan on the network side The reporting part is the most valuable feature. The penetration testing feature should be included. I have been using the solution for four years. It is a stable solution. I rate it seven out of ten. It is a scalable…
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Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Pros

"I find it to be one of the most comprehensive tools, with support for manual intervention."
"There is a lot of documentation on their website which makes setting it up and using it quite simple."
"The features of Acunetix have proved most effective in identifying vulnerabilities."
"It generates automated reports."
"The most valuable feature of Acunetix is the UI and the scan results are simple."
"The most important feature is that it's a web-based graphical user interface. That is a great addition. Also, the ability to schedule scans is great."
"We use the solution for the scanning of vulnerabilities like SQL injections."
"The scalability is good. The scalability is more than good because it can operate both as a standalone and it can be integrated as part of applications. So that really makes it a very, very versatile solution to have."
More Acunetix pros
"The product has valuable features for static and dynamic testing."
"The solution offers services in a few specific development languages."
"The static scans are good, and the SaaS as well."
"It provides a better integration for our ecosystem."
"AppScan's most valuable features include its ability to identify vulnerabilities accurately, provide detailed remediation steps, and the newly introduced AI-powered features that enhance its functionality further."
"It highlights, with several grades of severity, the types of vulnerabilities, so we can focus on the most severe security vulnerabilities in the code."
"This is a stable solution."
"The solution is easy to install. I would rate the product's setup between six to seven out of ten. The deployment time depends on the applications that need to be scanned. We have a development and operations team to take care of the product's maintenance."
More HCL AppScan pros
 

Cons

"It would be nice to have a feature to "retest" only a single vulnerability that the customer reports as patched, and delete it from the next scans since it has already been patched."
"Acunetix needs to improve its cost."
"There is room for improvement in the pricing."
"I rate its stability six out of ten."
"There was an issue related to updates from the internet."
"There's a clear need for a reduction in pricing to make the service more accessible."
"The cost can be reduced as management has noted it to be on the higher side."
"While we do have it integrated with other solutions, it could still offer more integrations."
More Acunetix cons
"Sometimes it doesn't work so well."
"We would like to see a check in the specific vulnerabilities in mobile applications or rooted devices, such as jailbreaking devices."
"IBM Security AppScan needs to add performance optimization for quickly scanning the target web applications."
"We would like to integrate with some of the other reporting tools that we're planning to use in the future."
"They could incorporate AI to enhance vulnerability detection and improve the product's reporting capabilities."
"They should have a better UI for dashboards."
"The solution often has a high number of false positives. It's an aspect they really need to improve upon."
"HCL AppScan needs to improve security."
More HCL AppScan cons
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"When compared with other products, the pricing is a little bit high. But it gives value for the price. It serves the purpose and is worthwhile for the price we pay."
"Acunetix was around the same price as all the other vendors we looked at, nothing special."
"The solution is expensive."
"When we looked at all other vendors and what they were asking for, to provide a third of what Acunetix was capable of doing, it was an easy decision... But now that it's coming to a cost where it's line with market value, it becomes more of a competition... Acunetix is raising the cost of licensing. It's 3.5 times what we were initially quoted."
"All things considered, I think it has a good price/value ratio."
"The price is exceptionally high."
"It is a bit expensive. If you need to check five applications, you have to pay almost 14,000. It is an agreement for two years at 7,000 per year for only five applications. You cannot change the applications in the license. So, you are stuck with the same license for the five applications for one full year."
"The pricing and licensing are reasonable to a point. In order to run multiple scans at a time, we are going to have to purchase a 100 count license, which is an overkill. Though, compared to what we were paying for, the cost seems reasonable."
More Acunetix pricing and cost advice
"The tool was expensive."
"The price is very expensive."
"The product has premium pricing and could be more competitive."
"The price of HCL AppScan is okay, in my opinion. You just buy HCL AppScan and don't pay anything anymore, meaning it is just a one-time purchase."
"With the features, that they offer, and the support, they offer, AppScan pricing is on a higher level."
"Our clients are willing to pay the extra money. It is expensive."
"The solution is cheap."
"The solution is moderately priced."
More HCL AppScan pricing and cost advice
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
18%
Financial Services Firm
14%
Government
9%
Manufacturing Company
8%
Computer Software Company
19%
Financial Services Firm
14%
Government
11%
Manufacturing Company
9%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
 

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Acunetix Vulnerability Scanner?
The tool's most valuable feature is scan configurations. We use it for external physical applications. The scanning time depends on the application's code.
See all answers
What is your primary use case for Acunetix Vulnerability Scanner?
I typically use Acunetix ( /products/acunetix-reviews ) to identify vulnerabilities for clients.
See all answers
What advice do you have for others considering Acunetix Vulnerability Scanner?
I would recommend Acunetix to others. Overall, I rate this solution seven out of ten.
See all answers
What do you like most about HCL AppScan?
The most valuable feature of HCL AppScan is its integration with the SDLC, particularly during the coding phase.
See all answers
What needs improvement with HCL AppScan?
AppScan needs to improve its handling of false positives. It also requires enhancements in customer support, similar to what Veracode provides. Regularly scheduling calls with clients to discuss fe...
See all answers
What is your primary use case for HCL AppScan?
The primary use case for AppScan is for security purposes. I compare AppScan with other tools such as Veracode. We use AppScan for vulnerability detection and auto-remediation of vulnerabilities wi...
See all answers
 

Comparisons

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Product Reports

Buyer's Guide
Acunetix
March 2025
Acunetix reportDownload Acunetix product report
Buyer's Guide
HCL AppScan
March 2025
HCL AppScan reportDownload HCL AppScan product report
 

Also Known As

AcuSensor
IBM Security AppScan, Rational AppScan, AppScan
 

Overview

Acunetix Web Vulnerability Scanner is an automated web application security testing tool that audits your web applications by checking for vulnerabilities like SQL Injection, Cross site scripting, and other exploitable vulnerabilities.

Invicti

IBM Security AppScan enhances web application security and mobile application security, improves application security program management and strengthens regulatory compliance. By scanning your web and mobile applications prior to deployment, AppScan enables you to identify security vulnerabilities and generate reports and fix recommendations.

HCLSoftware
 

Sample Customers

Joomla!, Digicure, Team Random, Credit Suisse, Samsung, Air New Zealand
Essex Technology Group Inc., Cisco, West Virginia University, APIS IT
Buyer's Guide
Acunetix vs. HCL AppScan
March 2025
Free Report: Acunetix vs. HCL AppScan
Find out what your peers are saying about Acunetix vs. HCL AppScan and other solutions. Updated: March 2025.
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