High 9 SAST Instruments for Cellular App Safety Testing

Earlier than the introduction of static code evaluation instruments, securing cellular purposes usually felt like enjoying catch-up. Improvement groups would spend months constructing options, solely to find vital vulnerabilities late within the launch cycle. This last-minute scramble to repair safety points delayed product launches and stretched sources skinny—including extra stress on builders and safety groups.

Safety assessments have usually been reactive, counting on guide opinions or dynamic exams that might solely be carried out as soon as the app was absolutely developed. This method left blind spots, with vulnerabilities lurking within the code that went unnoticed till the app was stay, doubtlessly exposing delicate information to attackers.

SAST instruments reworked this course of by shifting safety left, permitting groups to detect vulnerabilities immediately throughout the code early. 

Scanning supply code earlier than the app is even executed, SAST instruments permit organizations to repair points lengthy earlier than they turn into important dangers, in the end saving time, cash, and fame.

How to decide on one of the best SAST instrument in your cellular app safety?

When evaluating static evaluation instruments, it’s important to think about components that immediately influence your group’s safety posture, operational effectivity, and long-term threat administration. Listed here are the highest components to prioritize:

1. Accuracy of vulnerability detection

The core goal of a SAST instrument is to successfully determine safety vulnerabilities. Search for instruments with a powerful file of detecting related points whereas minimizing false positives. This ensures time is spent addressing actual safety dangers somewhat than sifting by means of noise.

2. Language & framework assist

It is vital that the instrument helps the cellular improvement languages and frameworks your workforce makes use of, whether or not that is Java, Swift, Kotlin, or others. Complete language assist ensures that every one code is correctly scanned for vulnerabilities, whatever the tech stack.

3. Scalability for enterprise environments

The chosen instrument should scale together with your group because the variety of purposes and builders grows. Guarantee it could actually deal with giant, complicated codebases and a number of scans without delay, which is important for corporations with fast-release cycles or expansive app portfolios.

4. CI/CD integration

Automated safety checks inside your CI/CD pipeline are vital for sustaining pace and safety in improvement. The SAST instrument ought to seamlessly combine together with your current CI/CD workflows (Jenkins, GitLab, Azure, and so on.), permitting builders to handle safety points early and constantly.

5. Compliance and reporting capabilities

Assembly regulatory necessities like PCI-DSS, GDPR, and HIPAA is a prime precedence. The instrument ought to assist these requirements with built-in compliance checks and sturdy reporting options, offering clear insights into dangers, vulnerabilities, and compliance gaps throughout your cellular apps.

6. Complete Value of Possession (TCO)

Think about each the upfront pricing and the long-term price of possession. Whereas the preliminary worth issues, consider ongoing upkeep, integration efforts, and the way a lot time the instrument saves by means of automation. The general worth ought to result in diminished threat, sooner remediation, and decrease long-term prices.

7. Pricing and finances

Whereas price should not be the only deciding issue, make sure the instrument suits your present finances and may scale together with your group’s progress. Search for versatile pricing fashions that accommodate your wants now and sooner or later with out compromising safety.

High 9 SAST instruments for cellular app safety testing

We’ve compiled an inventory of the highest SAST instruments for cellular app safety testing, breaking down their finest options, limitations, pricing, and G2 rankings that can assist you select the best instrument in your wants.

Free SAST instruments

MobSF

MobSF (Cellular Safety Framework) is an open-source, free instrument designed to carry out static and dynamic evaluation on Android, iOS, and Home windows apps. It is extensively used for its capability to detect vulnerabilities throughout the early improvement phases.

Greatest options:

• Helps each static and dynamic evaluation for cellular apps.
• Gives detailed vulnerability reviews for cellular purposes.
• Straightforward integration with CI/CD pipelines.

Limitations:

• Could require further configuration for superior safety checks.
• Restricted to cellular platforms solely.

Pricing tiers:

• Free (open-source).
• Enterprise version pricing accessible upon request.

G2 score: Unavailable

Paid SAST instruments

HCL AppScan

HCL AppScan is a complete safety testing platform that identifies net, cellular, and desktop utility vulnerabilities. It supplies dynamic and static evaluation with sturdy integration capabilities, making it appropriate for enterprises with various utility environments.

Greatest options:

• Helps each SAST and DAST for full safety protection.
• Intensive reporting options with compliance assist (PCI-DSS, GDPR).
• Integration with CI/CD instruments for seamless safety automation.

Limitations:

• Excessive useful resource consumption throughout scans.
• Can be complicated to configure for mobile-specific vulnerabilities.

Pricing tiers:

• Contact gross sales for pricing particulars.

G2 score: 4.1/5

NowSecure

NowSecure is a mobile-first safety platform that gives real-time vulnerability detection and compliance. It’s designed to safe cellular purposes with deep evaluation and automation, providing CI/CD integrations to keep up steady safety.

Greatest options:

• Cellular-focused vulnerability detection and compliance monitoring.
• Automated testing with CI/CD pipeline integration.
• Detailed reporting for mobile-specific vulnerabilities.

Limitations:

• Restricted to cellular apps, lowering flexibility for non-mobile environments.
• Excessive prices for smaller groups or organizations.

Pricing tiers:

• Contact gross sales for pricing particulars.

G2 score: 4.6/5

Knowledge Theorem

Knowledge Theorem supplies end-to-end safety testing for cellular, net, and API purposes. With a spotlight on real-time menace evaluation and compliance, it automates the identification and remediation of vulnerabilities, particularly in cellular and cloud environments.

Greatest options:

• Complete cellular, net, and API safety evaluation.
• Automated vulnerability discovery and remediation.
• Robust compliance assist with detailed safety reporting.

Limitations:

• Complexity in preliminary setup and configuration.
• Can be costly for small to mid-sized companies.

Pricing tiers:

• Contact gross sales for pricing particulars.

G2 score: 4/5

Veracode

Veracode affords a cloud-based platform for static code evaluation, specializing in enterprise purposes. It’s identified for its ease of use and sturdy safety scanning, serving to corporations guarantee compliance with numerous requirements.

Greatest options:

• Complete assist for PCI-DSS, HIPAA, and different compliance requirements.
• Simply integrates into current DevOps environments.
• Detailed reporting and compliance metrics.

Limitations:

• Can be gradual when scanning bigger codebases.
• Restricted customization choices for particular cellular app wants.

Pricing tiers:

• Contact gross sales for pricing particulars.

G2 score: 3.7/5

Zimperium

Zimperium focuses on cellular menace protection, offering real-time, on-device safety in opposition to mobile-specific threats. It makes use of a novel machine-learning method to determine and forestall safety dangers in real-time, providing a powerful answer for cellular safety.

Greatest options:

• Actual-time cellular menace detection with machine studying.
• Gives safety for each iOS and Android platforms.
• Complete cellular vulnerability detection.

Limitations:

• Primarily centered on cellular safety, limiting the use for non-mobile apps.
• Can be pricey for smaller organizations.

Pricing tiers:

• Contact gross sales for pricing particulars.

G2 score: 3.9/5

Ostorlab

Ostorlab is a complicated cellular utility safety platform that performs static and dynamic evaluation to uncover vulnerabilities. It affords automated scans and reviews on safety dangers, making it a worthwhile instrument for securing cellular apps.

Greatest options:

• Combines static and dynamic evaluation for complete protection.
• Centered on cellular app safety with automated vulnerability scanning.
• Gives easy-to-understand reviews on safety dangers.

Limitations:

• Restricted to cellular purposes, proscribing broader use.
• Customization could be complicated for some customers.

Pricing tiers:

• Contact gross sales for pricing particulars.

G2 score: Unavailable

ImmuniWeb

ImmuniWeb delivers safety testing and compliance monitoring for net, cellular, and API purposes. It supplies a mixture of SAST, DAST, and guide penetration testing to make sure a whole safety answer for enterprises.

Greatest options:

• SAST and DAST for net, cellular, and APIs.
• Complete compliance assist (GDPR, PCI-DSS, HIPAA).
• Integrates simply into CI/CD pipelines.

Limitations:

• Can be costly for smaller companies.
• AI-based insights might require guide overview for complicated instances.

Pricing tiers:

• Contact gross sales for pricing particulars.

G2 score: 4.8/5

Appknox

Appknox is a mobile-first safety platform providing numerous safety testing capabilities, together with static evaluation. It’s particularly designed to detect vulnerabilities in cellular purposes and affords deep integration into CI/CD workflows.

Greatest options:

• Specialised in cellular app safety testing.
• Automated and auto-triggered testing 
• Superior binary-based static evaluation for mobile-specific vulnerabilities.
• Full integration with major CI/CD instruments like Jenkins, GitLab, and Bitbucket.
• Complete compliance assist, together with PCI-DSS, GDPR, and HIPAA.

Limitations:

• Customization could be restricted in some areas.

Pricing tiers:

• Pricing relies on the variety of purposes and scans. Contact gross sales for particulars.

G2 score: 4.5/5

Comparability of the highest static code evaluation instruments for cellular app safety

This is a fast breakdown of how main static evaluation instruments stack up throughout vital components like vulnerability detection, framework assist, scalability, CI/CD integration, compliance, and general price.

Obtain the complete instrument checklist now!

Choosing the proper SAST instrument for cellular app safety is vital. Whereas every instrument has strengths and limitations, the important thing lies in aligning the instrument’s capabilities together with your group’s distinctive wants. Whether or not you prioritize complete language assist, seamless CI/CD integration, or strict compliance, a well-chosen answer can considerably cut back safety dangers whereas boosting improvement effectivity.

Why Appknox?

At Appknox, we’re constructing an automatic, binary-based, mobile-first safety evaluation instrument that addresses the challenges confronted by CISOs with not simply guide open-source workflows but additionally with most paid instruments which can be legacy in nature.

Appknox is designed to combine seamlessly into your current workflows. It supplies real-time insights and sturdy vulnerability evaluation in your cellular apps in below 60 minutes, making it an ideal SAST instrument for organizations of all sizes.

TD;LR

How SAST reworked utility safety

Securing cellular apps was reactive and sometimes delayed product releases. SAST instruments modified that by enabling vulnerability detection early within the improvement cycle, saving time and minimizing dangers.

Greatest static evaluation instruments for cellular

High SAST instruments like MobSF, HCL AppScan, NowSecure, Knowledge Theorem, Zimperium, Ostorlab, ImmuniWeb, and Appknox reviewed, highlighting their options, limitations, and pricing that can assist you make the only option for cellular app safety.

Parameters for selecting one of the best SAST instruments

Key components embody accuracy of vulnerability detection, language assist, scalability, CI/CD integration, compliance options, and complete price of possession. Prioritize instruments that align together with your group’s tech stack and safety necessities.

Why Appknox?

Appknox stands out as a mobile-first answer with complete static evaluation capabilities, robust CI/CD integration, and intensive compliance assist. It affords a scalable and cost-effective possibility for companies of all sizes.

Ceaselessly Requested Questions

1. What’s static evaluation?

Static evaluation includes analyzing supply or binary code for vulnerabilities with out executing this system, making it a vital apply in cellular app safety testing. By using prime SAST instruments, builders can determine points early within the improvement cycle, enhancing the general safety of cellular purposes.

2. Which is one of the best static code evaluation instrument?

One of the best static code evaluation instrument usually depends upon particular venture necessities, however instruments like Appknox persistently rank among the many prime SAST instruments for cellular safety. These instruments provide complete options and assist for numerous programming languages, making them perfect for builders and safety researchers alike.

3. Checklist just a few free static evaluation instruments for cellular app safety.

Top-of-the-line free static evaluation instruments for cellular is MobSF. It supplies important options for vulnerability detection. This instrument could be worthwhile to a developer’s toolkit, significantly for these trying to improve cellular app safety on a finances.

A couple of different free SAST instruments are SonarQube and Reshift.

4. How are open-source static code evaluation instruments completely different from paid ones?

Open-source static code evaluation instruments usually provide flexibility and customization however might lack the great assist and superior options of paid SAST instruments. Whereas free SAST instruments are efficient for primary safety checks, organizations usually want paid options for sturdy capabilities and devoted assist.

5. What’s the good thing about utilizing SAST instruments throughout code overview?

Integrating SAST instruments throughout code overview streamlines vulnerability detection, considerably lowering the effort and time required for cellular app safety testing. By figuring out points early, builders can improve code high quality and compliance, resulting in safer cellular purposes.