Astra Vulnerability Scanner Review (2024): How Good Is Astra?

Astra is one of the few security companies that combines manual and automated penetration testing (pentest) to create comprehensive security solutions. The platform can run over 9,000 tests and integrate with CI/CD tools to establish DevSecOps. Astra's security checks include: Web App Pentest, Cloud Security Pentest, Mobile App Pentest, and API Pentest.

While Astra Security is more expensive compared to similar solutions like Wireshark and Kali Linux, its dynamic vulnerability management dashboard can manage, monitor, assign, and update vulnerabilities better than most competitors.

Astra Security Prices

Astra does not offer a free trial for its customers. However, it does have paid plans for web apps, mobile apps, and cloud security users, and some of them cover both vulnerability scanning and penetration testing.

Web Application Plans

Astra has subscriptions for web applications, including plans for scanning, pentesting, and enterprise.

Scanner:It costs $199 per target per month or $1,999 per target per year. Users can enjoy unlimited vulnerability scans with over 9,300 tests and unlimited integrations with select third-party tools. Plus, it features AI-powered remediation assistance. One thing I like about this plan is that users can try it out at a lower price ($7 per week) before committing their money.

SEE: The 8 best penetration testing tools for 2024 (TechRepublic)

Penetration Testing: It costs $5,999 per target per year, billed annually only. It covers everything included in the Scanner plan, plus cloud security review, compliance reporting, and a publicly verifiable penetration testing certificate.

Company:Ideal for diverse infrastructures, it costs $9999 per year for multiple targets. It covers everything included in the Pentest plan, plus Customer Success Manager, support via Slack Connect or MS Teams, custom contracts/SLAs, and a three-month rescan period.

Mobile Application Plans

It is available in two subscription plans: Pentest and Enterprise.

Penetration TestingPriced at $2,499 per target per year, benefits include a vulnerability assessment and penetration test, over 250 test cases, and expert support.

SEE: What is cloud penetration testing and why is it important? (TechRepublic)

Company:Starting at $3999 per target per year. Covers everything included in the Pentest plan, plus multiple targets, CSMs, and custom contracts/SLAs.

Cloud Security Plans

This service is offered in two plans: Basic and Elite.

Essential:Requires a custom quote by speaking with sales. Some of the benefits include 180+ security tests, IAM configuration review, and a new scan.

Elite:This also requires you to get a custom quote by speaking to the sales department. It covers everything included in the basic plan, plus five team members, two new scans, and expert support.

Key Features of Astra Security

As part of the suite, Astra Pentest and Astra Vulnerability Scanner work together to offer continuous monitoring, security posture analysis, and other features. Below are some Astra features that I found very interesting.

SEE: Vulnerability scanning vs. penetration testing: What's the difference? (TechRepublic)

Vulnerability Scanner

Astra’s vulnerability scanner can perform up to 9,300 tests, including checking for known CVEs, OWASP Top 10, and SANS 25. When I used the tool to scan for Progressive Web Apps and Single-Page Apps with the week-long trial, I noticed that the scanner scans the pages behind my login screen to ensure that every possible area of ​​my app is secure. One thing I like about this feature is that it can also be purchased separately as a plug-and-play software that requires little to no human intervention.

Continuous scanning through integration

Astra Pentest allows you to move from DevOps to DevSecOps by integrating with CI/CD platforms. This means you can automate scans so that every code update is preceded by a hacker-style security test. During testing, I noticed that Astra makes it easy to track scan progress via Slack and collaborate and flag vulnerabilities via Jira. You can connect your Jira account to a project in just a few clicks.

Vulnerability Management Dashboard

This is a feature that takes Astra to a level above most of its competitors. Astra can allow you to have complete visibility into your penetration testing so that you can understand the key metrics for each vulnerability. Using the dashboard, I realized that Astra took some common customer pain points very seriously while designing the user experience. Also, I noticed that you can centrally manage the team members who have access to your various targets. Another thing is that you can talk to the Astra-naut bot 24/7 and get instant answers to security-related issues.

Manual Penetration Testing

This feature is included in Astra’s top plan and can take care of business logic bugs and issues that are not detectable by an automated scanner. Astra accomplishes this by using AI to emulate the mindset of hackers and identify business logic vulnerability scenarios in applications. In addition to testing for business logic bugs, Astra’s manual penetration testing also tests for things like blind SQL injection, payment manipulation vulnerabilities, and template injection.

Advantages of Astra Security

• Scan your assets with over 9,300 tests.
• You can check compliance with ISO 27001, HIPAA, SOC2 or GDPR.
• The dashboard allows you to track your team's progress with smart reports.
• Provides a unique, publicly verifiable security certificate.
• Unlimited integrations with CI/CD tools, Slack, Jira, and more.

SEE: How to conduct a cybersecurity risk assessment in 5 steps (TechRepublic Premium)

Disadvantages of Astra Security

• No free trial.
• Monthly subscription is only available on the Scanner plan.
• It can be expensive compared to competitors.

Alternatives to Astra Security

Acunetix

Invicti’s Acunetix is ​​a powerful penetration testing tool for web applications. While Astra offers vulnerability scanning and manual penetration testing in tandem, Acunetix is ​​better suited for penetration testing automation. I like that Acunetix comes with a dashboard that can categorize vulnerabilities into classes, such as critical, high, medium, and low. It also allows for an unlimited number of users and scans.

Metasploit

Metasploit is another reliable alternative to Astra Security. The fact that Metasploit offers both an open source and commercial option gives the customer the ability to choose the type of penetration testing solution they need. The tool’s 30-day free trial is a big advantage over Astra Security, which does not offer any free trial. While the framework version has limited functionality, its simple web interface and free edition for developers and researchers mean that it is still in a good position to compete with Astra Security.

Kali Linux

Kali Linux is an open-source penetration testing solution that runs on the Debian-based Linux distribution. It is primarily designed for advanced users who understand command-line prompts. I especially appreciate the brand’s openness in saying that the tool is designed for veteran penetration testers and experienced Linux users, not for ordinary consumers. While the tool only supports around 600 penetration testing utilities, its completely free price tag means it’s a good alternative for those who don’t have the financial resources to purchase Astra Security.

Methodology

I analyzed this product using two criteria: hands-on experience with the tool and information from Astra Security’s official product documentation, user reviews, and case studies. During testing with the $7 one-week trial version, I noticed that the scanner scans the pages behind my login screen to ensure that every possible area of ​​my application is protected. Astra can also allow you to have complete visibility into your penetration test so that you can understand key metrics about each vulnerability, and that’s something I like in any security solution – complete visibility. Its easy-to-use dashboard also allows tracking teams’ progress with smart reports. I was also able to establish support with the Astra-naut 24×7 bot, which gave me instant answers to security questions. All of these factors influenced our decision to rate the product among the best vulnerability scanners in 2024.