HCL AppScan vs Trustwave App Scanner [EOL] comparison

HCLSoftware and LevelBlue are both solutions in the Application Security Tools category. Additionally, 84% of HCLSoftware users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 66% of LevelBlue users who would recommend it.

HCL AppScan

Read 44 HCL AppScan reviews

6,267 Views
4,324 Comparison Views

84% willing to recommend

Trustwave App Scanner [EOL]

Read 5 Trustwave App Scanner [EOL] reviews

66% willing to recommend

HCL AppScan

Trustwave App Scanner [EOL]

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Executive Summary

We performed a comparison between HCL AppScan and Trustwave App Scanner [EOL] based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

Find out what your peers are saying about SonarSource Sàrl, Checkmarx, Veracode and others in Application Security Tools.

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Application Security Tools

May 2026

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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

HCL AppScan

Average Rating

7.6

Reviews Sentiment

5.9

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Application Security Tools (19th), Static Application Security Testing (SAST) (16th), Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) (6th)

Trustwave App Scanner [EOL]

Average Rating

7.6

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Featured Reviews

Ravi Khanchandani

Founder Director at Techsa Services

Has improved identification of encryption and authentication issues across cloud and on-prem applications

During the learning curve of onboarding HCL AppScan, we learned that HCL has altered the portfolio and now offers HCL AppScan 360, which has a much better look and feel with an improved user interface. However, there is one feature called SCA, which stands for Software Composition Analysis, that could be improved. When I'm doing an application scan, HCL AppScan has the ability to generate information about what components are in use. For example, if I'm scanning a web application, it shows me the various components being used. It tells me whether I have Java libraries, .NET frameworks, or other log management libraries such as Log4j, and what versions of those specific components are present. I would like to see more detailed reports from the tool. Currently, you can find out the components belonging to a specific software, but if detailed reporting became available, you would be in a better position to identify vulnerabilities. For instance, I could identify that I had the Log4j vulnerability and know that I need to fix my application accordingly. If they add the features I'm describing, I would consider giving them a higher rating. However, I've only been experienced with the product for three months.

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Securityd276

Security Manager at a healthcare company with 1,001-5,000 employees

Stable solution that has increased the maturity of our security program

I would like to see a little more flexibility with regards to setting up profiles for vulnerabilities. For the most part, it fits our needs but a little more flexibility would be great. I would also like to have more information on AI. If we start to deploy AI in our infrastructure, does it cover that as well?

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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

"HCL AppScan has helped us improve our security posture, as we've been able to identify quite a few issues."

"The product has valuable features for static and dynamic testing."

"The HCL AppScan performance is both stable and reliable."

"The dynamic scan, the DAST tool, dynamic applications scanning and testing tool, is great."

"IBM Applications Security has contributed to the maturity of our AppSec risk management program."

"I like the recording feature."

"With AppScan, we are now deploying less defects to production."

"The reporting part is the most valuable feature."

More HCL AppScan pros

"Web application security testing is a valuable feature."

"This scanner was more efficient compared to its competitors."

"The simple fact that it puts us in a better place for identifying our vulnerabilities is a form of ROI."

"Go ahead and use Hailstorm as it's the best dynamic code analysis tool one can invest in and it gives a better ROI than most."

"The stability is great. We haven't had any issues at all with it."

"Trustwave App Scanner makes it really easy and convenient for us to notify the website owners before the scans, as well as providing the scan results."

Cons

"They could incorporate AI to enhance vulnerability detection and improve the product's reporting capabilities."

"It's a little bit basic when you talk about the Web Services. If AppScan improved its maturity on Web Services testing, that would be good."

"Currently, we are satisfied with AppScan but I am sure there are better alternatives available because this is a very old product."

"Many silly false positives are produced."

"A desktop version should be added."

"AppScan is too complicated and should be made more user-friendly."

"I would love to see more containers. Many of the tools are great, they require an amount of configuration, setup and infrastructure. If most the applications were in a container, I think everything would be a little bit faster, because all our clients are now using containers."

"The solution often has a high number of false positives. It's an aspect they really need to improve upon."

More HCL AppScan cons

"It doesn't support modern web technologies such as GWT, Angular, JS etc."

"I would like to see a little more flexibility with regards to setting up profiles for vulnerabilities."

"It was complex as I have to make sure all the requirements are in place before on-boarding Hailstorm."

"Used to crash/freeze due to poor performance, not sure about newer versions."

"I would like to see a little more flexibility with regards to setting up profiles for vulnerabilities."

"One feature that I would really want is the number of total applications in the web GUI; after selecting a filter on the applications, it would be really helpful if it shows the number of applications."

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The product is moderately priced, though it's an investment due to extensive code analysis needs."

"The price is very expensive."

"With the features, that they offer, and the support, they offer, AppScan pricing is on a higher level."

"AppScan is a little bit expensive. IBM needs to work a little bit on the pricing model, decreasing the license cost."

"Our clients are willing to pay the extra money. It is expensive."

"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."

"The solution is cheap."

"The product has premium pricing and could be more competitive."

More HCL AppScan pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Financial Services Firm

11%

Government

10%

Computer Software Company

10%

Manufacturing Company

No data available

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	14
Midsize Enterprise	6
Large Enterprise	31

No data available

Questions from the Community

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.

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What needs improvement with HCL AppScan?

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What is your primary use case for HCL AppScan?

I'm currently working with BigFix and HCL AppScan. At least three people in my company are using HCL AppScan. Since we are a reseller, we run it in both lab environments and live production applica...

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Compared 24% of the time

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Compared 18% of the time

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Compared 12% of the time

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Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

HCL AppScan

May 2026

Download HCL AppScan product report

Buyer's Guide

Application Security Tools

May 2026

Download Trustwave App Scanner [EOL] product report

Also Known As

IBM Security AppScan, Rational AppScan, AppScan

Hailstorm, Cenzic Hailstorm

Overview

HCL AppScan offers quick vulnerability detection with effective SDLC integration and is known for its user-friendly interface and seamless security integration.

HCL AppScan provides dynamic and static scanning to identify vulnerabilities like XSS and SQL injection. It integrates well into CI/CD pipelines, supports multiple languages, and offers web and dynamic scanning, helping businesses ensure security across development lifecycles. Users benefit from API coverage, Postman integration, and its ability to function in cloud and on-premise environments, facilitating a shift from DevOps to DevSecOps practices.

What features define HCL AppScan?

User-friendly interface: Simplifies navigation and usage.
Vulnerability detection: Quickly identifies issues like XSS and SQL injection.
Integration with SDLC: Seamlessly blends with development processes.
Dynamic scanning: Offers comprehensive security evaluations.
Multiple language support: Supports diverse programming environments.

What benefits should users consider?

Scalability: Adapts to growing needs and projects.
Low false-positive rates: Delivers accurate and reliable results.
Detailed reporting: Provides comprehensive vulnerability insights.
Effective integration: Enhances CI/CD pipeline security.

HCL AppScan is leveraged in sectors requiring rigorous security checks, such as finance and healthcare, where it conducts comprehensive scans and offers insights into potential vulnerabilities. Its robust scanning capabilities aid companies in maintaining compliance and security standards.

HCLSoftware

Provides ability to test applications for security vulnerabilities, security policies and regulatory compliance.

LevelBlue

Sample Customers

Essex Technology Group Inc., Cisco, West Virginia University, APIS IT

Leading Health Insurer

Buyer's Guide

Application Security Tools

May 2026

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