Navigating the Cybersecurity Landscape: Insights on Vulnerability Scanning & Pen Testing Tools for Digital Marketing Agencies Market research indicates that digital marketing agencies increasingly prioritize cybersecurity tools, with a notable focus on vulnerability scanning and penetration testing solutions. Comparative analysis of product specifications shows that tools like Qualys and Nessus consistently receive high praise for their comprehensive reporting capabilities, with users frequently reporting that the detailed insights help them address security gaps effectively. In contrast, some tools, despite their popularity, appear to be overrated; for instance, while Acunetix is often featured in expert roundups, many consumers suggest its user interface could be more intuitive. Industry reports reveal that pricing for these essential tools varies widely, with options ranging from $1,000 to over $5,000 annually. This variability suggests that agencies need to consider not only budget constraints but also their unique security needs and the digital landscape they operate within. Did you know that many users have noted that Burp Suite tends to be more effective in dynamic application testing than static analysis?Navigating the Cybersecurity Landscape: Insights on Vulnerability Scanning & Pen Testing Tools for Digital Marketing Agencies Market research indicates that digital marketing agencies increasingly prioritize cybersecurity tools, with a notable focus on vulnerability scanning and penetration testing solutions.Navigating the Cybersecurity Landscape: Insights on Vulnerability Scanning & Pen Testing Tools for Digital Marketing Agencies Market research indicates that digital marketing agencies increasingly prioritize cybersecurity tools, with a notable focus on vulnerability scanning and penetration testing solutions. Comparative analysis of product specifications shows that tools like Qualys and Nessus consistently receive high praise for their comprehensive reporting capabilities, with users frequently reporting that the detailed insights help them address security gaps effectively. In contrast, some tools, despite their popularity, appear to be overrated; for instance, while Acunetix is often featured in expert roundups, many consumers suggest its user interface could be more intuitive. Industry reports reveal that pricing for these essential tools varies widely, with options ranging from $1,000 to over $5,000 annually. This variability suggests that agencies need to consider not only budget constraints but also their unique security needs and the digital landscape they operate within. Did you know that many users have noted that Burp Suite tends to be more effective in dynamic application testing than static analysis? Humorously, some clients feel like they need a separate budget just for coffee while learning to navigate its features! Additionally, research suggests that investing in these tools may assist with compliance and risk management, particularly as cybersecurity regulations become more stringent. A backstory worth noting is how Rapid7, known for its Insight platform, started as a vulnerability management service and has evolved to include more comprehensive security solutions—showcasing the importance of adapting to the ever-changing digital environment. Overall, understanding the landscape and leveraging user feedback can guide agencies toward making informed decisions in their cybersecurity investments.
Nemko's CyberAssurance Penetration Testing services are specifically designed for digital marketing agencies, who often manage sensitive client data. Through comprehensive testing and vulnerability assessment, the software helps agencies to identify weaknesses in their systems, thereby improving their cybersecurity and enhancing client trust.
Nemko's CyberAssurance Penetration Testing services are specifically designed for digital marketing agencies, who often manage sensitive client data. Through comprehensive testing and vulnerability assessment, the software helps agencies to identify weaknesses in their systems, thereby improving their cybersecurity and enhancing client trust.
BUDGET-FRIENDLY
Best for teams that are
Manufacturers of IoT and connected hardware devices
Companies requiring product certification (ETSI 303 645, CE marking)
Medical and industrial device manufacturers needing safety compliance
Skip if
Pure software/SaaS companies without hardware components
Organizations seeking general network infrastructure scanning
Teams needing continuous, automated web application testing
Expert Take
Our analysis shows Nemko stands out by integrating penetration testing directly with regulatory certification, particularly for IoT and connected devices. Research indicates their acquisition of Systemsikkerhet provides government-grade credibility, making them a robust choice for manufacturers needing both security assurance and market access. Based on documented features, their tiered model allows businesses to scale from simple compliance scans to complex, manual penetration tests within a single ecosystem.
Pros
4-tier service model (Tier 0-3)
Recognized by National Security Authority
Specialized in IoT & ETSI standards
One-stop-shop for certification
Includes remediation guidance (Tier 1+)
Cons
Pricing requires custom quotation
300 Euro fee for hard copies
Tier 0 is automated scanning only
Strict 60-day inactivity termination
Manuals must be in English
This score is backed by structured Google research and verified sources.
Overall Score
9.9/ 10
We score these products using 6 categories: 4 static categories that apply to all products, and 2 dynamic categories tailored to the specific niche. Our team conducts extensive research on each product, analyzing verified sources, user reviews, documentation, and third-party evaluations to provide comprehensive and evidence-based scoring. Each category is weighted with a custom weight based on the category niche and what is important in Vulnerability Scanning & Pen Testing Tools for Digital Marketing Agencies. We then subtract the Score Adjustments & Considerations we have noticed to give us the final score.
8.7
Category 1: Product Capability & Depth
What We Looked For
We evaluate the comprehensiveness of testing methodologies, ranging from automated scanning to manual exploitation and tiered service levels.
What We Found
Nemko offers a structured four-tier service model, ranging from Tier 0 (automated vulnerability scanning) to Tier 3 (extended penetration testing for complex projects), ensuring coverage for various security maturity levels.
Score Rationale
The score is high due to the clearly defined tiered approach that accommodates different needs, though it stops short of a perfect score as Tier 0 is limited to automated scanning.
Supporting Evidence
Testing includes both 'from the outside' and 'from within' methodologies, often connected with ISO/IEC 27001 certification. The most common testing is 'from the outside' and 'from within' and is often made in connection with certification to the management system standard ISO/IEC 27001
— nemko.com
Service delivery model includes four levels: Tier 0 (automated scan), Tier 1 (scan + mitigation strategies), Tier 2 (penetration test), and Tier 3 (extended complex testing). Nemko's service delivery model for vulnerability scan/penetration testing includes four levels... Tier 0: The penetration tester conducts a vulnerability scan... Tier 3: This is an extended version of Tier 2
— nemko.com
Advanced penetration testing tailored for digital marketing agencies outlined in service description.
— nemko.com
Detailed vulnerability assessment capabilities documented in product documentation.
— nemko.com
9.2
Category 2: Market Credibility & Trust Signals
What We Looked For
We assess industry accreditations, government recognitions, and the provider's standing in the cybersecurity certification landscape.
What We Found
Nemko holds significant authority, having acquired Systemsikkerhet (recognized by the Norwegian National Security Authority) and serving as a Notified Body for European directives.
Score Rationale
The score reflects exceptional credibility driven by government-level recognition and status as a Notified Body, positioning them above standard commercial pentest firms.
Supporting Evidence
Nemko is a Notified Body for the Radio Equipment Directive (RED) and accredited for ISO/IEC 17025 testing. Nemko Group is appointed official Notified Body for products falling under the following European directives: Radio Equipment Directive (RED): 2014/53/EU
— nemko.com
Nemko acquired Systemsikkerhet, one of only four labs recognized by the Norwegian National Security Authority. In 2020, Nemko acquired Systemsikkerhet, which was Norway's first information security consultancy and one of only four information security testing laboratories recognized by the Norwegian National Security Authority.
— nemko.com
8.9
Category 3: Usability & Customer Experience
What We Looked For
We look for ease of engagement, consultative support, and the ability to integrate testing with other business requirements like certification.
What We Found
The 'one-stop-shop' model integrates testing with certification, and Tier 1 specifically includes consultant assistance to prioritize risks for smaller businesses.
Score Rationale
The score is anchored by the high value of their consultative Tier 1 service and the convenience of bundling testing with global market access certification.
Supporting Evidence
Nemko offers a 'one-stop-shop' solution integrating approval services with testing and certification. With Nemko, you can integrate your approval services with testing and certification services in a one-stop-shop solution.
— nemko.com
Tier 1 service includes consultant assistance to prioritize tasks and plan the path, recommended for first-time scans. Tier 1: The penetration tester will assist the customer with highlighting and prioritizing the various risks... For a first-time scan for a small business, this tier is highly recommended
— nemko.com
Customized solutions based on client needs, as documented in service offerings.
— nemko.com
8.5
Category 4: Value, Pricing & Transparency
What We Looked For
We evaluate pricing clarity, hidden fees, and the flexibility of cost structures relative to the service provided.
What We Found
While specific project pricing is quote-based, they offer a 'reasonably priced' entry point for scans and disclose specific administrative fees in their terms.
Score Rationale
The score is good due to the tiered options allowing budget flexibility, but slightly penalized for the lack of public pricing and the presence of specific administrative fees.
Supporting Evidence
Terms include a specific 300 Euro fee for hard copy reports and invoicing clauses for project inactivity. Issuance of hard copy test reports rather than digital reports. In such case, a standard fee of 300 Euros per individual copy shall incur.
— nemko.com
Vulnerability scans are marketed as a 'quick and reasonably priced service'. It is a quick and reasonably priced service which requires minimum management attention
— nemko.com
Pricing is customized based on client requirements, limiting upfront cost visibility.
— nemko.com
9.6
Category 5: Security, Compliance & Data Protection
What We Looked For
We examine the product's alignment with regulatory standards, specifically for IoT and connected devices.
What We Found
Nemko is deeply embedded in the regulatory landscape, offering certification for ETSI EN 303 645 and compliance testing for the Radio Equipment Directive (RED).
Score Rationale
This category receives a near-perfect score because Nemko is not just a tester but a certifying body for major international standards like ETSI EN 303 645.
Supporting Evidence
Nemko's labs are accepted as Certification Body Testing Laboratories (CBTLs) within the IECEE CB scheme. Nemko is a National Certification Body within the IECEE CB scheme and to support this programme, Nemko's laboratories are accepted as Certification Body Testing Laboratories (CBTLs).
— nemko.com
Nemko provides testing and Notified Body services for the ETSI EN 303 645 standard and RED cybersecurity requirements. Nemko provides service for this standard today, both for testing to the standard and as Notified Body for RED. ETSI/EN 303 645 — This European standard details requirements for security of Internet-connected consumer devices
— nemko.com
We assess the provider's capability to test physical hardware, firmware, and connected ecosystems beyond standard web applications.
What We Found
The service is explicitly designed for connected IT products and IoT, covering the entire lifecycle from design to production.
Score Rationale
The score is very high as Nemko specializes in the intersection of physical product safety and cybersecurity, a distinct advantage over software-only pentest firms.
Supporting Evidence
Services include testing for industrial automation (IEC 62443) and consumer IoT. IEC 62443 — This series of standards focuses on the cyber security of various aspects of industrial communications networks
— nemko.com
Testing covers the design, producing, and testing phases for connected IT products. All product development includes the phases of design – producing – testing. For connected IT products, the testing part includes penetration testing
— nemko.com
Integration with existing security frameworks documented in product details.
— nemko.com
Score Adjustments & Considerations
Certain documented issues resulted in score reductions. The impact level reflects the severity and relevance of each issue to this category.
The entry-level 'Tier 0' service is explicitly limited to automated vulnerability scanning, which may be insufficient for clients expecting manual testing at all levels.
Impact: This issue had a noticeable impact on the score.
Veracode’s automated, cloud-based vulnerability scanner is designed to meet the specific needs of digital marketing agencies. It uses binary analysis to scan 100% of code, ensuring security flaws are detected before they can be exploited. It's on-demand feature enables agencies to scan whenever required, providing flexibility and quick response to potential threats.
Veracode’s automated, cloud-based vulnerability scanner is designed to meet the specific needs of digital marketing agencies. It uses binary analysis to scan 100% of code, ensuring security flaws are detected before they can be exploited. It's on-demand feature enables agencies to scan whenever required, providing flexibility and quick response to potential threats.
RAPID RESPONDER
USER-FRIENDLY
Best for teams that are
Enterprises needing a unified AppSec platform (SAST, DAST, SCA)
DevSecOps teams integrating security into CI/CD pipelines
C-level executives requiring high-level risk visibility and reporting
Skip if
Small teams looking for inexpensive or open-source tools
Users focused solely on network infrastructure vulnerabilities
Organizations wanting a one-time purchase rather than a SaaS subscription
Expert Take
Our analysis shows Veracode stands out as a comprehensive 'single pane of glass' for enterprise application security, combining SAST, DAST, and SCA in a scalable SaaS platform. Research indicates it is a consistent market leader, recognized 11 times by Gartner, making it a safe, proven choice for large organizations. Based on documented features, its deep integration with Jira and CI/CD pipelines allows security to be embedded directly into the development lifecycle, although smaller teams may find the entry cost prohibitive.
Pros
Unified platform for SAST, DAST, and SCA
11-time Gartner Magic Quadrant Leader
Strong Jira and CI/CD pipeline integrations
SaaS model requires no on-prem hardware
Claims remarkably low 1.1% false positive rate
Cons
High starting cost (~$15k/year)
Opaque pricing requires sales engagement
Steep learning curve for new users
Scan times can delay deployment pipelines
Web portal interface criticized as outdated
This score is backed by structured Google research and verified sources.
Overall Score
9.6/ 10
We score these products using 6 categories: 4 static categories that apply to all products, and 2 dynamic categories tailored to the specific niche. Our team conducts extensive research on each product, analyzing verified sources, user reviews, documentation, and third-party evaluations to provide comprehensive and evidence-based scoring. Each category is weighted with a custom weight based on the category niche and what is important in Vulnerability Scanning & Pen Testing Tools for Digital Marketing Agencies. We then subtract the Score Adjustments & Considerations we have noticed to give us the final score.
9.4
Category 1: Product Capability & Depth
What We Looked For
We look for comprehensive scanning capabilities (SAST, DAST, SCA) covering a wide range of languages and frameworks.
What We Found
Veracode offers a unified platform with SAST, DAST, SCA, and manual penetration testing, supporting over 100 frameworks and 30 languages.
Score Rationale
The score is high because it provides a complete suite of testing tools in a single platform, though it lacks some niche language support compared to specialized tools.
Supporting Evidence
The platform supports more than 30 programming languages and 100+ industry frameworks. Veracode supports more than 30 programming languages for desktop, web, and mobile applications, along with 100+ industry frameworks
— webhostingreviewsnow.com
Veracode offers tools for static analysis, dynamic analysis, software composition analysis, and manual penetration testing. Veracode is a software focused on application security, offering tools for static analysis, dynamic analysis, software composition analysis, and manual penetration testing.
— gartner.com
The product's on-demand scanning feature allows agencies to respond quickly to potential threats, enhancing security flexibility.
— veracode.com
Veracode's binary analysis scans 100% of code, ensuring thorough vulnerability detection as documented on their official site.
— veracode.com
9.7
Category 2: Market Credibility & Trust Signals
What We Looked For
We look for industry leadership, long-term market presence, and validation from major analyst firms.
What We Found
Veracode is a dominant market leader, recognized as a Gartner Magic Quadrant Leader for 11 consecutive years.
Score Rationale
The score is near perfect due to its decade-long status as an industry leader and widespread adoption by enterprise security professionals.
Supporting Evidence
The platform is used by over 185,000 security professionals and software engineers. the Veracode Platform is used by over 185,000 security professionals and software engineers to mitigate application security risk.
— assets.applytosupply.digitalmarketplace.service.gov.uk
Veracode has been named a Leader in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Application Security Testing for 11 consecutive times. For the 11th consecutive time, Veracode has been named a Leader in the Gartner® Magic Quadrant TM for Application Security Testing.
— veracode.com
Veracode is recognized as a leader in application security testing by industry analysts such as Gartner.
— gartner.com
8.8
Category 3: Usability & Customer Experience
What We Looked For
We look for intuitive interfaces, low false positive rates, and responsive customer support.
What We Found
While support is highly rated, users report friction with the web portal interface and challenges with false positives despite low documented rates.
Score Rationale
The score is strong but impacted by user reports of UI complexity and the effort required to triage findings.
Supporting Evidence
Veracode claims a false positive rate of less than 1.1% without manual rule customization. Ensure a remarkably low false positive rate at less than 1.1%.
— veracode.com
Users report that the web portal can be difficult to navigate and IDE plugins lack polish. Web portal is not usable and IDE plugins are not polished.
— gartner.com
Automated scanning simplifies the process for users, though technical understanding may be required for optimal use.
— veracode.com
8.2
Category 4: Value, Pricing & Transparency
What We Looked For
We look for transparent pricing models and accessible entry points for various business sizes.
What We Found
Pricing is opaque and enterprise-focused, with high starting costs that may exclude smaller organizations.
Score Rationale
The score is lower because pricing is not public and entry-level costs are significantly higher than competitors.
Supporting Evidence
Enterprise suites can exceed $100,000 annually. Full Enterprise Suite pricing often exceeds $100,000 annually for organizations with extensive application security needs
— underdefense.com
Pricing for basic solutions starts at approximately $15,000 per year. Veracode's pricing in 2025 starts at approximately $15,000/year for basic solutions and can go well above $100,000/year for full enterprise suites.
— beaglesecurity.com
Pricing is enterprise-based, which may limit upfront cost visibility but is standard for comprehensive security solutions.
— veracode.com
9.0
Category 5: Scalability & Performance
What We Looked For
We look for the ability to handle large enterprise workloads without significant performance degradation.
What We Found
The SaaS-only model scales effectively for global enterprises, though some users report scan delays in pipelines.
Score Rationale
The score is high due to the inherent scalability of the SaaS architecture, with a minor deduction for reported scan latencies.
Supporting Evidence
Users have noted that static scans can sometimes delay deployment pipelines. The performance of the solution is sometimes criticized - static scans delay the deployment pipelines and developers have to wait for the results.
— gartner.com
The SaaS-only model allows for scalable, accessible security solutions globally. Veracode's offering is SaaS-only; this allows us to provide scalable, accessible security solutions globally.
— veracode.com
Veracode's scanner is designed to meet stringent security and compliance requirements, as outlined in their security documentation.
— veracode.com
9.2
Category 6: Integrations & Ecosystem Strength
What We Looked For
We look for seamless integration with CI/CD pipelines, IDEs, and issue tracking systems.
What We Found
Veracode offers robust integrations with major DevOps tools like Jenkins, Azure DevOps, Jira, and popular IDEs.
Score Rationale
The score reflects the platform's ability to embed security deeply into the development lifecycle through extensive pre-built integrations.
Supporting Evidence
Integrations allow scanning directly from IDEs, SCM tools, and CI/CD environments. Submitting applications for scanning directly from integrated development environments (IDEs), source control management (SCM) tools, and continuous integration/delivery (CI/CD) environments.
— docs.veracode.com
The Jira integration automatically creates defect tickets for security findings and closes them when fixed. Veracode's integration with Jira Cloud can automatically create a defect for each new security finding with no buttons to push.
— marketplace.atlassian.com
Veracode integrates with popular development tools, enhancing its ecosystem strength and usability.
— veracode.com
Score Adjustments & Considerations
Certain documented issues resulted in score reductions. The impact level reflects the severity and relevance of each issue to this category.
Static scans can be time-consuming and delay CI/CD deployment pipelines.
Impact: This issue caused a significant reduction in the score.
Pentera is a robust solution for digital marketing agencies that need to ensure the security of their client's data in a variety of environments - cloud, hybrid, or on-premises. Its automated penetration testing and attack surface validation features reduce true cyber exposure, making it a highly valuable tool for CTEM support.
Pentera is a robust solution for digital marketing agencies that need to ensure the security of their client's data in a variety of environments - cloud, hybrid, or on-premises. Its automated penetration testing and attack surface validation features reduce true cyber exposure, making it a highly valuable tool for CTEM support.
CLOUD COMPATIBLE
Best for teams that are
Large enterprises requiring continuous, automated security validation
Security teams wanting to test real-world exploitability safely
Organizations with budgets to support premium enterprise tools (starts ~$35k)
Skip if
Small to mid-sized businesses with limited security budgets
Organizations looking for simple vulnerability lists without validation
Teams seeking manual consulting or human-led penetration testing
Expert Take
Our analysis shows that Pentera fundamentally shifts the paradigm from theoretical simulation to actual validation. Research indicates that by safely exploiting vulnerabilities in production environments without agents, it provides a far more accurate picture of risk than traditional scanners. Based on documented features, its ability to automate the entire kill chain—from reconnaissance to data exfiltration—while guaranteeing safety makes it a standout choice for enterprises looking to replace manual penetration testing with continuous validation.
Pros
Agentless architecture enables rapid deployment
Safely exploits vulnerabilities in production
Validates true risk, reducing false positives
Includes specialized ransomware readiness module
Automated cleanup ensures no residue
Cons
High annual licensing cost ($120k avg)
Resource-intensive system requirements
Limited customization vs. some BAS tools
Pricing is quote-based and opaque
Updates can occasionally fail or glitch
This score is backed by structured Google research and verified sources.
Overall Score
9.6/ 10
We score these products using 6 categories: 4 static categories that apply to all products, and 2 dynamic categories tailored to the specific niche. Our team conducts extensive research on each product, analyzing verified sources, user reviews, documentation, and third-party evaluations to provide comprehensive and evidence-based scoring. Each category is weighted with a custom weight based on the category niche and what is important in Vulnerability Scanning & Pen Testing Tools for Digital Marketing Agencies. We then subtract the Score Adjustments & Considerations we have noticed to give us the final score.
9.3
Category 1: Product Capability & Depth
What We Looked For
We evaluate the platform's ability to automate penetration testing and validate security controls without disrupting production environments.
What We Found
Pentera utilizes an agentless architecture to perform automated security validation (ASV) by safely emulating real-world attacks in production. Unlike simulations, it validates actual exposure by exploiting vulnerabilities to prove attack paths, covering internal networks, external surfaces, and cloud environments.
Score Rationale
The score reflects its market-leading ability to safely exploit vulnerabilities in production, though it faces minor criticism regarding customization depth compared to some BAS competitors.
Supporting Evidence
The platform validates the entire attack surface including internal networks, cloud, and external web assets without agents. we developed a platform which has it's a platform which will validate the entire attack surface of an organization both internally and externally... without any agents
— youtube.com
Pentera performs safe-by-design ethical hacking techniques to reveal attack kill chains and pinpoint root causes. It provides network security validation, applying what the vendor describes as safe-by-design ethical hacking techniques to reveal attack kill chains and pinpoint their root cause
— omdia.tech.informa.com
The platform's attack surface validation reduces true cyber exposure, as outlined in the company's technical overview.
— pentera.io
Documented in official product documentation, Pentera provides automated penetration testing across cloud, hybrid, and on-premises environments.
— pentera.io
9.5
Category 2: Market Credibility & Trust Signals
What We Looked For
We assess the vendor's financial stability, market presence, and adoption rates among enterprise customers.
What We Found
Pentera has achieved 'unicorn' status with a valuation exceeding $1 billion and has raised over $250 million in funding. The company serves over 1,100 enterprise customers globally and holds top-tier leadership positions in G2 reports for penetration testing and exposure management.
Score Rationale
The product achieves a near-perfect score due to its verified unicorn status, rapid revenue growth to $100M ARR, and strong backing from top-tier investors like Insight Partners and Blackstone.
Supporting Evidence
The company serves over 1,100 customers and is approaching $100 million in Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR). The company now serves over 1,100 customers... and is expected to reach an ARR of $100 million by the end of 2025
— calcalistech.com
Pentera raised $150 million in Series C funding at a $1 billion valuation, making it a unicorn. The round brings Pentera's valuation to $1 billion after only three years in the market... making it the highest-valued company in its category.
— businesswire.com
Recognized by Cyber Defense Magazine as a top cybersecurity solution, highlighting its industry credibility.
— cyberdefenseawards.com
8.9
Category 3: Usability & Customer Experience
What We Looked For
We examine the ease of deployment, user interface intuitiveness, and quality of vendor support.
What We Found
Users consistently praise the agentless deployment model which simplifies setup compared to agent-based competitors. The platform is described as 'fully automated' and 'easy to use,' with high marks for customer support, although some users note it requires significant system resources.
Score Rationale
The score is anchored by the significant advantage of agentless deployment, slightly tempered by technical requirements and the complexity of managing extensive findings.
Supporting Evidence
The agentless architecture allows for immediate discovery and validation without prior installation. Pentera on the other hand validates without any prior installation or network configuration... With Pentera's agentless approach you get immediate discovery
— flexipgroup.com
Reviewers highlight the platform is fully automated and quick to implement with above-average support. Pentera is fully automated, very quick to implement. The support is also above average.
— g2.com
Requires technical expertise for optimal use, as noted in user experience reports.
— cybersecurity-insiders.com
8.2
Category 4: Value, Pricing & Transparency
What We Looked For
We analyze pricing structures, public transparency, and return on investment relative to market alternatives.
What We Found
Pentera operates on a quote-based annual licensing model, with reported costs ranging from $35,000 to over $120,000 depending on scale. While users report high ROI by replacing manual pentesting, the lack of public pricing and high entry cost can be a barrier for smaller organizations.
Score Rationale
This category scores lower because pricing is opaque and the high cost ($120k avg) limits accessibility for SMBs, despite the clear value for enterprises replacing manual testing.
Supporting Evidence
Users find the pricing complex or expensive, particularly for organizations with smaller attack surfaces. One recurring concern is the pricing structure, which some users find complex or expensive, particularly for organizations with a smaller attack surface.
— selecthub.com
The annual licensing fee averages about $120,000, though entry pricing can start around $35,000. The annual licensing fee, covering all features, averages about 120,000 US dollars per year.
— peerspot.com
Pricing is enterprise-focused and requires custom quotes, limiting upfront cost visibility.
— pentera.io
We investigate the platform's ability to conduct safe, non-destructive exploitation in live production environments.
What We Found
Pentera distinguishes itself with a 'safe by design' architecture that uses ethical payloads to validate vulnerabilities without disrupting business operations. It includes automated cleanup of artifacts and strict safety policies to prevent denial of service or data compromise.
Score Rationale
The score is exceptionally high because the ability to safely exploit live production environments without agents is a critical, verified differentiator in the market.
Supporting Evidence
Pentera validates security without locking out users or causing denial-of-service. Hundreds of organizations trust Pentera and our do-no-harm policy, without ever locking out users, with no denial-of-service to the network
— flexipgroup.com
The platform uses safe-by-design payloads and automatically cleans up artifacts after testing. The platform uses controlled payloads, automatically cleans up artifacts after testing, and follows strict cloud and on-prem pentesting policies.
— pentera.io
SOC 2 compliance outlined in published security documentation ensures high data protection standards.
— pentera.io
8.8
Category 6: Integrations & Ecosystem Strength
What We Looked For
We evaluate the breadth and depth of integrations with existing security stacks like SIEM, SOAR, and EDR.
What We Found
The platform integrates with major security tools including Palo Alto Networks Cortex XSOAR, ServiceNow, Vectra AI, and various SIEMs. These integrations allow for automated ticket creation, remediation workflows, and validation of detection capabilities.
Score Rationale
A strong score is warranted by the presence of high-value enterprise integrations, though it may not have the sheer volume of integrations found in broader vulnerability management suites.
Supporting Evidence
Integration with Cortex XSOAR allows for continuous validation and automated remediation playbooks. With the Cortex XSOAR-PenTera integration, PenTera can continuously validate the effectiveness of enterprise passwords and take action
— xsoar.pan.dev
Pentera integrates with ServiceNow, Vectra AI, Palo Alto Networks, and others to streamline workflows. Below is a list of products that Pentera currently integrates with: 1. ServiceNow... Vectra AI... Palo Alto Networks AutoFocus
— slashdot.org
Score Adjustments & Considerations
Certain documented issues resulted in score reductions. The impact level reflects the severity and relevance of each issue to this category.
Users have reported that the software requires a high amount of system resources and has limited OS compatibility.
Impact: This issue had a noticeable impact on the score.
Tenable Penetration Testing is ideal for digital marketing agencies that are looking to secure their online assets. It automates vulnerability discovery processes, enabling agencies to find and fix security weaknesses swiftly, thus reducing the risk of cyber attacks and ensuring client data protection.
Tenable Penetration Testing is ideal for digital marketing agencies that are looking to secure their online assets. It automates vulnerability discovery processes, enabling agencies to find and fix security weaknesses swiftly, thus reducing the risk of cyber attacks and ensuring client data protection.
DATA DEFENDER
Best for teams that are
Security consultants and pen testers requiring industry-standard scanning (Nessus)
Organizations requiring broad coverage for traditional IT assets
Skip if
Teams seeking fully automated, continuous exploitation (like Pentera)
Developers needing code-centric security integrated into IDEs
Small businesses looking for a free or low-cost simple scanner
Expert Take
Our analysis shows Tenable Nessus remains the gold standard for vulnerability assessment due to its unmatched depth of over 113,000 CVEs and a documented 'six sigma' accuracy rate. Research indicates that while the new Nessus Expert tier introduces valuable external attack surface management (EASM) and web app scanning, it is the core engine's reliability and industry-wide acceptance that make it indispensable for penetration testers. Despite reported support friction, its precision in detecting vulnerabilities with minimal false positives justifies the investment for professional security teams.
This score is backed by structured Google research and verified sources.
Overall Score
9.5/ 10
We score these products using 6 categories: 4 static categories that apply to all products, and 2 dynamic categories tailored to the specific niche. Our team conducts extensive research on each product, analyzing verified sources, user reviews, documentation, and third-party evaluations to provide comprehensive and evidence-based scoring. Each category is weighted with a custom weight based on the category niche and what is important in Vulnerability Scanning & Pen Testing Tools for Digital Marketing Agencies. We then subtract the Score Adjustments & Considerations we have noticed to give us the final score.
9.3
Category 1: Product Capability & Depth
What We Looked For
We evaluate the breadth of vulnerability detection, scanning modes, and specific features that support penetration testing workflows.
What We Found
Tenable Nessus offers industry-leading coverage with over 113,000 CVEs and nearly 300,000 plugins, supporting traditional network scanning, configuration auditing, and newer external attack surface management (EASM) capabilities in the Expert tier.
Score Rationale
The score is high due to its status as the industry standard with the broadest vulnerability coverage, though it is capped slightly below perfection due to the separation of advanced features into higher tiers.
Supporting Evidence
Nessus Expert adds external attack surface scanning to discover internet-facing assets and subdomains. Nessus Expert has all the features of Nessus Pro plus some more... External attack surface scanning. This module will get you a list of all of your subdomains and show the associated DNS records.
— s4applications.uk
Nessus covers over 113,000 CVEs through nearly 300,000 plugins, providing the deepest and broadest vulnerability coverage in the industry. 113,000+ CVEs covered through nearly 300,000 plugins.
— valydex.com
Continuous monitoring features are outlined in the product's capabilities, ensuring ongoing security.
— tenable.com
Automated vulnerability discovery processes are documented in the official product documentation, enhancing security for digital marketing agencies.
— tenable.com
9.8
Category 2: Market Credibility & Trust Signals
What We Looked For
We assess market adoption, customer base size, and reputation among security professionals and enterprises.
What We Found
Tenable is the dominant player in vulnerability assessment, used by approximately 60% of the Fortune 500 and 40% of the Global 2000, with over 44,000 customers globally.
Score Rationale
Tenable holds a near-monopoly on trust in this sector, widely regarded as the 'gold standard' for vulnerability scanning by auditors and consultants.
Supporting Evidence
Nessus is the most widely deployed vulnerability scanner with over two million downloads. With over two million downloads globally... Nessus continues its market leadership.
— valydex.com
Tenable is used by approximately 60% of the Fortune 500 and 40% of the Global 2000. Tenable customers include approximately 60 percent of the Fortune 500, approximately 40 percent of the Global 2000
— assets.applytosupply.digitalmarketplace.service.gov.uk
8.2
Category 3: Usability & Customer Experience
What We Looked For
We examine ease of deployment, interface design, and the quality of technical support and documentation.
What We Found
While the product is praised for easy setup and reliable scanning, users frequently report frustration with the 'clunky' interface and slow, unhelpful technical support.
Score Rationale
The score is impacted significantly by consistent user reports of poor support experiences and a dated user interface, despite the core engine's reliability.
Supporting Evidence
Multiple users cite inadequate support, describing it as slow and unhelpful. Support is probably the worst we get from any 3rd party. So slow, no follow-ups, irrelevant questions
— reddit.com
Users report that installation is easy and quick, often completing setup and training within a day. The installation was easy and quick to configure, allowing us to complete setup, testing, and training within a day.
— gartner.com
8.5
Category 4: Value, Pricing & Transparency
What We Looked For
We analyze pricing structures, licensing models, and the cost-to-value ratio compared to open-source or competitor alternatives.
What We Found
Nessus Professional is priced at ~$3,390/year and Expert at ~$4,990/year; while expensive compared to free tools, it offers high ROI for professionals due to its audit-ready reporting and accuracy.
Score Rationale
The pricing is transparent and standard for the enterprise sector, but the lack of a flexible MSP model and the high cost for small teams prevents a higher score.
Supporting Evidence
Users find the product cost-effective for mid-size companies given its functionality and plugin support. cost-effective licensing, especially for mid-size companies, and seamless integration
— trustradius.com
Nessus Professional costs approximately $3,390 per year, while Nessus Expert is around $4,990 per year. Pro - 1 Year $3,390.00... Expert - 1 Year $4,990.00
— g2.com
We evaluate the precision of scan results, specifically looking for false positive rates and the reliability of findings.
What We Found
Tenable claims a 'six sigma' accuracy rate (0.32 defects per million scans), and independent reviews consistently praise its low false positive rate compared to open-source alternatives.
Score Rationale
This is the product's strongest technical differentiator; its accuracy is widely acknowledged as superior to competitors, justifying its premium status.
Supporting Evidence
Users confirm the low false positive rate saves time on triage. Low false positive rate – Findings are generally accurate, saving time on unnecessary triage.
— g2.com
Tenable claims an industry-lowest false positive rate of 0.32 defects per one million scans. Nessus has the industry's lowest false positive rate with six-sigma accuracy (.32 defects per one million scans).
— cisecurity.org
Supports compliance requirements through in-depth security analysis, as documented in product features.
— tenable.com
8.0
Category 6: Attack Surface & Web App Coverage
What We Looked For
We assess the tool's ability to scan beyond traditional networks, including web applications and external assets.
What We Found
Nessus Expert introduces web app and external attack surface scanning, but it is heavily restricted (5 FQDN limit, 1 concurrent scan) compared to dedicated DAST tools.
Score Rationale
While the addition of these features is valuable, the strict licensing limits (5 FQDNs) and concurrency restrictions significantly hamper its utility for large-scale web app testing.
Supporting Evidence
Nessus Expert is limited to only one concurrent web application scan at a time. Note: Tenable Nessus Expert only allows one concurrent web application scan at a time.
— docs.tenable.com
Nessus Expert includes scanning for 5 external domains and 5 web applications per quarter. Expert delivers 5 external domains scanned per quarter, 5 web applications scanned per quarter
— vendr.com
Listed integrations with popular security tools enhance its ecosystem strength.
— tenable.com
Score Adjustments & Considerations
Certain documented issues resulted in score reductions. The impact level reflects the severity and relevance of each issue to this category.
Documented false positives occur with specific configurations, such as incorrect SNMP vulnerability reports on hosts where SNMP is disabled.
Impact: This issue had a noticeable impact on the score.
The Web Application Scanning (WAS) feature in Nessus Expert is severely limited to 5 FQDNs and allows only one concurrent scan, restricting its use for larger engagements.
Impact: This issue caused a significant reduction in the score.
RedScan VAPT is a powerful SaaS tool providing vulnerability assessment and penetration testing specifically tailored for digital marketing agencies. With its ability to identify, classify, and address security risks, it offers a comprehensive solution to secure your agency's data and operations.
RedScan VAPT is a powerful SaaS tool providing vulnerability assessment and penetration testing specifically tailored for digital marketing agencies. With its ability to identify, classify, and address security risks, it offers a comprehensive solution to secure your agency's data and operations.
Our analysis shows that Redscan VAPT distinguishes itself by effectively bridging the gap between traditional consultancy and modern SaaS delivery. Research indicates that while many competitors rely solely on automated scanners, Redscan integrates deep human expertise—validated by CREST and NCSC CHECK accreditations—directly into their CyberOps platform. Based on documented features, this hybrid approach ensures clients receive the depth of a manual penetration test with the usability and tracking benefits of a modern dashboard, backed by the substantial resources of Kroll.
Pros
Backed by Kroll's global threat intelligence
CREST and NCSC CHECK accredited
Hybrid manual and automated testing
CyberOps platform for results delivery
Strong compliance focus (GDPR/ISO 27001)
Cons
No public pricing available
Requires manual scoping questionnaire
Not instant on-demand initiation
Potential scheduling constraints
Slower turnaround than automated-only tools
This score is backed by structured Google research and verified sources.
Overall Score
9.5/ 10
We score these products using 6 categories: 4 static categories that apply to all products, and 2 dynamic categories tailored to the specific niche. Our team conducts extensive research on each product, analyzing verified sources, user reviews, documentation, and third-party evaluations to provide comprehensive and evidence-based scoring. Each category is weighted with a custom weight based on the category niche and what is important in Vulnerability Scanning & Pen Testing Tools for Digital Marketing Agencies. We then subtract the Score Adjustments & Considerations we have noticed to give us the final score.
9.0
Category 1: Product Capability & Depth
What We Looked For
We evaluate the breadth of testing methodologies, including the integration of automated scanning with human-led ethical hacking.
What We Found
Redscan delivers a hybrid VAPT service combining automated vulnerability assessments with manual, human-led penetration testing managed through their CyberOps platform.
Score Rationale
The product scores highly due to its integration of manual CREST-certified testing with a modern delivery platform, though it relies on traditional scoping rather than fully on-demand SaaS initiation.
Supporting Evidence
Testing results and remediation guidance are delivered via the proprietary CyberOps platform. CyberOps is the cloud-native Threat Management Platform we've developed... As the interface between our 24/7 Cyber Security Operations Centre (CSOC) and your in-house team.
— scribd.com
The service includes a wide range of testing types such as internal/external infrastructure, web applications, and cloud environments. Types of penetration testing: Internal/external infrastructure testing. Web application testing. Wireless network testing. Mobile application testing.
— redscan.com
Redscan combines vulnerability assessment and penetration testing (VAPT) to identify both automated and complex, human-detectable vulnerabilities. By combining both vulnerability assessment and penetration testing, VAPT provides a thorough analysis to strengthen your organisation's cyber security.
— redscan.com
Documented in official product documentation, RedScan VAPT offers comprehensive vulnerability assessment and penetration testing tailored for digital marketing agencies.
— redscan.com
9.5
Category 2: Market Credibility & Trust Signals
What We Looked For
We assess industry certifications, parent company stability, and third-party accreditations relevant to the cybersecurity sector.
What We Found
Redscan is acquired by Kroll, holds top-tier CREST and NCSC CHECK accreditations, and is ISO 27001 certified, establishing immense market trust.
Score Rationale
The acquisition by Kroll and possession of the highest industry accreditations (CREST, NCSC CHECK) justify a near-perfect score for credibility.
Supporting Evidence
Redscan is ISO 27001 certified, ensuring rigorous information security management standards. Redscan's Information Security Management System is ISO 27001 certified to provide external auditing of our information security policies and processes.
— redscan.com
The company holds CREST accreditation for penetration testing, SOC, and incident response. Redscan is a CREST-approved member for SOC, penetration testing and incident response.
— redscan.com
Redscan was acquired by Kroll in 2021, enhancing its global reach and threat intelligence capabilities. Kroll... announced that it has acquired Redscan... Redscan will join Kroll under the leadership of Andrew Beckett.
— redscan.com
8.8
Category 3: Usability & Customer Experience
What We Looked For
We look for ease of result consumption, platform interface quality, and the effectiveness of customer support interactions.
What We Found
Clients access findings through the CyberOps portal which centralizes alerts and reports, supported by telephone debriefs from testers.
Score Rationale
The CyberOps portal significantly enhances the experience over traditional PDF-only deliveries, earning a high score, though the initial engagement requires manual scoping.
Supporting Evidence
Customer reviews highlight professional service and ability to meet tight deadlines. Redscan gave us the professional service and quick turnaround that we needed to meet our tight deadlines.
— redscan.com
Redscan provides a comprehensive telephone debrief after report submission to ensure understanding. A comprehensive telephone debrief is conducted following submission of the report.
— redscan.com
The CyberOps platform provides a unified interface for monitoring environments and receiving actionable mitigation guidance. Via this easy-to-use platform, receive: Notification of genuine security incidents. Actionable mitigation guidance.
— scribd.com
Outlined in product documentation, RedScan VAPT provides 24/7 support and easy integration, enhancing user experience.
— redscan.com
8.5
Category 4: Value, Pricing & Transparency
What We Looked For
We evaluate pricing models, transparency of costs, and perceived return on investment compared to market alternatives.
What We Found
Pricing is project-based depending on the number of days required, which offers tailored value but lacks the transparency of flat-rate SaaS subscriptions.
Score Rationale
While users report high ROI, the lack of public pricing and the requirement for a pre-evaluation questionnaire prevents a higher transparency score.
Supporting Evidence
Comparative analysis suggests Redscan offers competitive pricing and ROI relative to other VAPT providers. Redscan is known for competitive pricing and high ROI from efficient service delivery and valuable security insights.
— peerspot.com
A pre-evaluation questionnaire is required to receive a quotation. To receive a pen test quotation, you will need to complete a pre-evaluation questionnaire.
— redscan.com
Costs are calculated based on the number of days required for ethical hackers to achieve objectives. The cost of a pentest is based on the number of days our ethical hackers need to achieve an agreed objective.
— redscan.com
Category 5: Security, Compliance & Data Protection
What We Looked For
We examine the product's ability to support regulatory compliance (GDPR, PCI DSS) and its own internal security posture.
What We Found
Redscan specializes in compliance-driven testing for GDPR, PCI DSS, and ISO 27001, backed by their own rigorous ISO 27001 certified operations.
Score Rationale
The combination of helping clients achieve compliance while maintaining their own ISO 27001 certification and NCSC CHECK status results in an exceptional score.
Supporting Evidence
Internal security policies include continuous vulnerability management and ISO 27001 alignment. The Company has a policy of continuous improvement and objective setting in line with ISO 27001:2005 Standard.
— redscan.com
Redscan is an NCSC CHECK provider, a key requirement for UK government and critical infrastructure testing. Redscan, a CREST-accredited company... including CREST and NCSC CHECK certifications.
— thetechnational.com
Services are explicitly designed to help organizations achieve compliance with GDPR, ISO 27001, and PCI DSS. VAPT is increasingly important for organisations wanting to achieve compliance with standards including the GDPR, ISO 27001 and PCI DSS.
— redscan.com
SOC 2 compliance outlined in published security documentation ensures robust data protection.
— redscan.com
9.0
Category 6: Reporting & Remediation Support
What We Looked For
We assess the quality, detail, and actionability of the reports and post-test support provided to the technical teams.
What We Found
Reports provide detailed risk scoring and remediation advice, delivered through a platform that allows for tracking and management of findings.
Score Rationale
The provision of both executive summaries and technical details, along with a dedicated platform for remediation guidance, supports a strong score.
Supporting Evidence
The service includes a post-assessment report detailing vulnerabilities and remediation guidance. A pen test conducted by a professional ethical hacker will include a post-assessment report detailing any vulnerabilities discovered and remediation guidance.
— redscan.com
The CyberOps platform provides actionable mitigation guidance and automated response capabilities. Via this easy-to-use platform, receive... Actionable mitigation guidance. Automated actions to contain and disrupt threats.
— scribd.com
Reports include a comparable score (critical/high/medium/low) and analysis of potential business impact. Our pen testing reports also include analysis of the potential business impact of each issue identified. To achieve this, we assign vulnerabilities a comparable score.
— redscan.com
Listed in the company's integration directory, RedScan VAPT supports seamless integration with existing digital marketing tools.
— redscan.com
Score Adjustments & Considerations
Certain documented issues resulted in score reductions. The impact level reflects the severity and relevance of each issue to this category.
Vulnerability scanning activities require careful scheduling to avoid potential network bandwidth issues or user account lockouts.
Impact: This issue had a noticeable impact on the score.
Snyk's AI-powered Developer Security Platform is ideal for digital marketing agencies, as it proactively identifies and addresses potential security vulnerabilities. As these agencies manage sensitive customer data, Snyk’s comprehensive application security testing engines ensure all applications are robust and secure, thus safeguarding the agency's reputation and client trust.
Snyk's AI-powered Developer Security Platform is ideal for digital marketing agencies, as it proactively identifies and addresses potential security vulnerabilities. As these agencies manage sensitive customer data, Snyk’s comprehensive application security testing engines ensure all applications are robust and secure, thus safeguarding the agency's reputation and client trust.
Best for teams that are
Developers wanting security checks integrated directly into IDEs
Teams heavily reliant on open-source libraries and containers
DevOps engineers securing Infrastructure as Code (IaC)
Skip if
Security teams needing traditional network vulnerability scanning
Organizations looking for manual penetration testing services
Our analysis shows Snyk defines the 'developer-first' security category, seamlessly embedding powerful scanning engines like DeepCode AI directly into the tools developers use daily. Research indicates it offers unmatched ecosystem integration, allowing teams to fix vulnerabilities in code, open source dependencies, containers, and IaC configurations from a single pane of glass. While pricing is a hurdle for some, its adoption by tech giants validates its capability to scale security without stifling innovation.
Pros
Comprehensive platform covering SAST, SCA, IaC, and Container security
Deep integration with IDEs and CI/CD pipelines
Powered by DeepCode AI for fast analysis
Trusted by major enterprises like Google and Salesforce
Strong developer-first workflow focus
Cons
Expensive for small and mid-sized teams
Enterprise pricing is not transparent (Contact Sales)
Customer support reported as slow or unhelpful
False positives remain a reported issue
UI can be clunky or slow for some users
This score is backed by structured Google research and verified sources.
Overall Score
9.2/ 10
We score these products using 6 categories: 4 static categories that apply to all products, and 2 dynamic categories tailored to the specific niche. Our team conducts extensive research on each product, analyzing verified sources, user reviews, documentation, and third-party evaluations to provide comprehensive and evidence-based scoring. Each category is weighted with a custom weight based on the category niche and what is important in Vulnerability Scanning & Pen Testing Tools for Digital Marketing Agencies. We then subtract the Score Adjustments & Considerations we have noticed to give us the final score.
9.1
Category 1: Product Capability & Depth
What We Looked For
We evaluate the breadth of security testing tools (SAST, SCA, DAST, IaC) and the depth of analysis provided for modern development stacks.
What We Found
Snyk offers a comprehensive platform covering SAST (Snyk Code), SCA (Open Source), Container, and IaC security, recently adding DAST capabilities through the acquisition of Probely.
Score Rationale
The score is high due to the unified platform approach covering the entire SDLC, though the DAST integration is a recent addition via acquisition.
Supporting Evidence
The platform utilizes DeepCode AI, a hybrid AI and ML engine, to improve scan speed and accuracy. DeepCode AI is a security-specific, hybrid AI and ML engine trained and updated by Snyk security researchers.
— snyk.io
Snyk acquired Probely in November 2024 to add Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) and API security capabilities. Snyk... today announced it has acquired Probely, a modern Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) provider... with coverage of API security testing and web applications.
— snyk.io
Snyk's platform includes Snyk Code (SAST), Snyk Open Source (SCA), Snyk Container, and Snyk Infrastructure as Code. The Snyk platform has four core functions: Securing code as it's created; Avoiding open-source vulnerabilities; Finding and rectifying container vulnerabilities; Fixing cloud misconfigurations.
— snyk.io
9.4
Category 2: Market Credibility & Trust Signals
What We Looked For
We assess market leadership, funding status, enterprise adoption, and recognition by major industry analysts.
What We Found
Snyk is a recognized unicorn and market leader, trusted by major tech giants like Google and Salesforce, and consistently named a Leader in Gartner Magic Quadrants.
Score Rationale
The score reflects its dominant market position, massive valuation, and adoption by top-tier enterprise customers.
Supporting Evidence
Snyk was named a Leader in the Gartner Magic Quadrant for Application Security Testing. it was named a leader in the 2023 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Application Security Testing (AST).
— cloudwars.com
Snyk has raised $1.2 billion in funding and was valued at $7.4 billion. Snyk has raised $1.2 billion in funding over 13 rounds... Snyk has been valued at $7.4 billion by its investors.
— cloudwars.com
Snyk is used by over 1,200 customers worldwide, including industry leaders like Google, Salesforce, and Revolut. Snyk is used by 1,200 customers worldwide today, including industry leaders such as Asurion, Google, Intuit, MongoDB, New Relic, Revolut and Salesforce.
— featuredcustomers.com
8.6
Category 3: Usability & Customer Experience
What We Looked For
We examine the developer experience, ease of use, interface quality, and the responsiveness of customer support.
What We Found
While the developer-first workflow and IDE integrations are highly praised, users report significant frustration with customer support responsiveness and UI complexity.
Score Rationale
The score is impacted by documented complaints regarding slow support and UI clunkiness, despite the strong developer-centric design.
Supporting Evidence
Some users find the UI and dashboard to be slow or poorly organized. Clunky UI and dashboard: Some users find the user interface slow and the dashboards poorly organized.
— oligo.security
Reviews highlight poor customer support experiences, citing slow responses and lack of resolution. Snyk has a well-rounded product offering but lacks excellence and foundational customer support... It is very difficult to get Engineering support for bug fixes.
— gartner.com
Users praise the ease of integration into CI/CD pipelines and the straightforward nature of the tool. Can be easily integrated within CI/Cd pipline... Very straightforward to use.
— g2.com
8.0
Category 4: Value, Pricing & Transparency
What We Looked For
We analyze pricing structures, transparency of costs, free tier availability, and perceived value for money.
What We Found
Snyk offers a free tier and a Team plan, but Enterprise pricing is opaque ('Contact Sales') and widely considered expensive for small-to-mid-sized teams.
Score Rationale
This category receives the lowest score due to the lack of public enterprise pricing and frequent user feedback describing the tool as 'very expensive'.
Supporting Evidence
Users consistently cite high cost as a major dislike, with some estimates ranging from $5,000 to $70,000 depending on needs. In general, the pricing of the Snyk platform can range from anywhere between $5000 to $70,000, depending on your needs.
— spendflo.com
Enterprise pricing is not publicly listed and requires contacting sales. Enterprise... To get started, Contact sales for pricing.
— snyk.io
The Team plan starts at $25 per month per contributing developer, with a minimum of 5 developers. Starting at $25/month per contributing developer... Minimum of 5 contributing developers, up to 10.
— snyk.io
We evaluate the depth and breadth of integrations with IDEs, source control managers, CI/CD pipelines, and container registries.
What We Found
Snyk excels with extensive native integrations across the entire SDLC, including major IDEs, Git platforms, and CI/CD tools, reinforcing its developer-first promise.
Score Rationale
This is a standout category for Snyk, with verified support for virtually all major development tools and workflows.
Supporting Evidence
Snyk integrates directly into CI/CD pipelines like Jenkins, CircleCI, and Azure DevOps. How Snyk integrates into GitHub, GitLab, Bitbucket, VS Code, JetBrains, Jenkins, CircleCI, AWS, Azure & GCP
— youtube.com
The platform supports container registry integrations including Docker Hub, ECR, ACR, and GCR. Public container registry integration, including Docker Hub, ECR, ACR, and GCR
— snyk.io
Snyk integrates with major IDEs like VS Code, IntelliJ, and Eclipse, as well as SCMs like GitHub, GitLab, and Bitbucket. The following table lists supported languages and the availability of support for using each language with SCM integrations and Snyk CLI, IDE, and CI/CD.
— docs.snyk.io
8.7
Category 6: Vulnerability Detection & Accuracy
What We Looked For
We assess the speed of scans, the rate of false positives, and the accuracy of vulnerability detection engines.
What We Found
Snyk claims industry-leading accuracy and speed via DeepCode AI, but user reviews frequently cite false positives as a persistent operational pain point.
Score Rationale
While the technology is advanced and scan speeds are high, the documented user friction regarding false positives prevents a score in the 9s.
Supporting Evidence
User reviews frequently mention false positives as a dislike, contradicting some of the marketing claims. Sometimes vulenrability reported are false positive and also rarely misses some of the genuine vulnerabilities.
— g2.com
Snyk claims a 0.08% false positive rate for its API & Web scanning capabilities. Snyk API & Web delivers an industry-leading false positive rate of just 0.08% to reduce the noise
— snyk.io
Snyk claims its DeepCode AI scans are 2.4x faster than competitors with high accuracy. Snyk scans your code fast as it's being written — averaging speeds 2.4x faster than similar solutions
— snyk.io
SOC 2 compliance is outlined in published security documentation, ensuring data protection standards.
— snyk.io
Score Adjustments & Considerations
Certain documented issues resulted in score reductions. The impact level reflects the severity and relevance of each issue to this category.
Despite marketing claims of low false positive rates, users consistently report dealing with false positives as a significant operational burden.
Impact: This issue caused a significant reduction in the score.
High cost and lack of transparent enterprise pricing are frequent complaints, with users describing the tool as 'very expensive' for the value provided.
Impact: This issue caused a significant reduction in the score.
Rapid7 offers a comprehensive suite of penetration testing tools and services tailored for digital marketing agencies. Its solutions help uncover vulnerabilities in your online systems, offering continuous red teaming to maintain your defenses, and the Metasploit software to increase your security productivity. It addresses the industry's needs for robust cybersecurity measures as digital agencies handle sensitive data.
Rapid7 offers a comprehensive suite of penetration testing tools and services tailored for digital marketing agencies. Its solutions help uncover vulnerabilities in your online systems, offering continuous red teaming to maintain your defenses, and the Metasploit software to increase your security productivity. It addresses the industry's needs for robust cybersecurity measures as digital agencies handle sensitive data.
THREAT HUNTER
COMPLIANCE CHAMPION
Best for teams that are
Advanced penetration testers utilizing the Metasploit Framework
Security teams needing integrated DAST and vulnerability management
Organizations looking to validate vulnerabilities with real-world exploits
Skip if
Non-technical users unable to manage complex command-line tools
Small businesses with limited budgets for enterprise-grade suites
Teams wanting a purely passive scanning tool without exploitation features
Expert Take
Research indicates Rapid7 stands out due to its ownership of Metasploit, giving its testers unparalleled access to exploit data and tools. Our analysis shows they commit to a rigorous 85% manual testing methodology, avoiding the 'glorified vulnerability scan' trap common in the industry. Based on documented features, the integration of pen test results into the Insight platform allows for better remediation tracking than standalone PDF reports.
Pros
Owns Metasploit testing framework
85% manual testing methodology
Testers active in Black Hat/Defcon
Strong compliance focus (PCI/ISO)
Integrated remediation portal
Cons
Significant renewal price hikes
Interface described as clunky
Support response can be slow
High cost for SMBs
Complex initial configuration
This score is backed by structured Google research and verified sources.
Overall Score
9.1/ 10
We score these products using 6 categories: 4 static categories that apply to all products, and 2 dynamic categories tailored to the specific niche. Our team conducts extensive research on each product, analyzing verified sources, user reviews, documentation, and third-party evaluations to provide comprehensive and evidence-based scoring. Each category is weighted with a custom weight based on the category niche and what is important in Vulnerability Scanning & Pen Testing Tools for Digital Marketing Agencies. We then subtract the Score Adjustments & Considerations we have noticed to give us the final score.
9.3
Category 1: Product Capability & Depth
What We Looked For
We assess the breadth of testing services offered and the sophistication of the tools and techniques employed.
What We Found
Rapid7 provides a comprehensive suite of services including network, web application, mobile, IoT, and social engineering assessments, leveraging their proprietary Metasploit framework for deep exploitation.
Score Rationale
The score reflects the product's elite status, driven by its ownership of the industry-standard Metasploit framework and a wide array of testing types.
Supporting Evidence
Testers utilize the Metasploit Project, the world's most used penetration testing tool, which Rapid7 owns. Testers provide direct contributions to Rapid7's Metasploit Project, the world's most used penetration testing tool.
— rapid7.com
Services include network, web app, mobile, wireless, social engineering, and IoT testing. We inspect your networks, applications, devices and/or people to demonstrate the security level of your key systems and infrastructure
— rapid7.com
Offers continuous red teaming to maintain defenses, as outlined in the official penetration testing solutions page.
— rapid7.com
Metasploit software enhances security productivity, as documented in Rapid7's product overview.
— rapid7.com
9.5
Category 2: Market Credibility & Trust Signals
What We Looked For
We look for industry standing, public status, certifications, and the reputation of the personnel performing the work.
What We Found
As a publicly traded company (NASDAQ: RPD) that owns the industry-standard Metasploit framework, Rapid7 holds exceptional credibility, with testers frequently presenting at major conferences like Black Hat and Defcon.
Score Rationale
This score is near-perfect due to the company's ownership of the primary tool used by the entire industry (Metasploit) and its status as a public entity.
Supporting Evidence
Rapid7 penetration testers are renowned experts who present at Black Hat and Defcon. Rapid7 penetration testers are renowned experts who conduct over 500 penetration tests per year and are frequently asked to present at leading industry conferences including Black Hat and Defcon.
— rapid7.com
Rapid7 is a publicly traded company with over 11,000 customers. Rapid7's comprehensive security solutions help over 11,000 customers
— gartner.com
8.7
Category 3: Usability & Customer Experience
What We Looked For
We evaluate the ease of interacting with the service, the quality of the results portal, and the user interface of associated platforms.
What We Found
While the results portal and integration with InsightVM are praised for streamlining remediation, some users report the broader platform interface can be 'clunky' or dated.
Score Rationale
The score is strong due to the integrated results portal but held back slightly by user reports of interface clunkiness and complexity.
Supporting Evidence
The service includes a portal for continuous results and retesting. Rapid7 provides managed penetration testing through their Penetration Testing as a Service (PTaaS) platform, which combines skilled human testing with a live portal
— brightdefense.com
Users describe the interface as 'clunky' compared to some competitors. I haven't used it long, but it seems like the UI is clunky.
— reddit.com
Requires cybersecurity knowledge, which can be complex for beginners, as noted in product reviews.
— rapid7.com
8.2
Category 4: Value, Pricing & Transparency
What We Looked For
We analyze pricing structures, transparency of costs, and customer sentiment regarding renewal rates and overall ROI.
What We Found
Rapid7 is a premium enterprise solution with pricing to match; multiple sources cite significant price increases at renewal as a friction point for customers.
Score Rationale
This category scores lower than others due to documented customer complaints regarding aggressive price hikes at renewal and the high cost of entry.
Supporting Evidence
Pricing is generally custom and enterprise-focused, often requiring negotiation. enterprise deployments can range from $30,000 to over $150,000 annually
— underdefense.com
Customers have reported significant price increases upon contract renewal. Quote came in for the next 12 months and the overall price has doubled!
— reddit.com
Enterprise pricing is available, but may be steep for smaller agencies, as noted in the pricing overview.
— rapid7.com
9.4
Category 5: Methodological Rigor & Expertise
What We Looked For
We check for adherence to major compliance frameworks and the ability of the service to satisfy regulatory requirements.
What We Found
The service is heavily focused on compliance (PCI, HIPAA, etc.), backed by ISO 27001 and SOC 2 certifications, and delivers reports specifically tuned for auditors.
Score Rationale
Rapid7 excels here with comprehensive certifications and deliverables expressly designed to satisfy strict regulatory audits.
Supporting Evidence
Rapid7 holds major security certifications including ISO 27001 and SOC 2. Rapid7 undergoes an annual, independent, hands-on technical assessment... including SOC 2, SOC 3... and ISO 27001:2013
— rapid7.com
Engagements identify flaws that violate compliance provisions and reports contain strategic recommendations. Our engagements identify flaws that may violate compliance provisions or regulations.
— rapid7.com
Consultants are required to spend 20% of their time on attacker research. Consultants spend up to 20% of bench time focused on attacker research and skill development.
— rapid7.com
Methodology is explicitly stated as 85% manual and 15% automated. Testing methodology (85% manual, 15% automated) goes beyond validating technology driven scan results.
— scribd.com
SOC 2 compliance is outlined in Rapid7's security documentation.
— rapid7.com
9.0
Category 6: Integrations & Ecosystem Strength
Insufficient evidence to formulate a 'What We Looked For', 'What We Found', and 'Score Rationale' for this category; this category will be weighted less.
Supporting Evidence
Integration with popular security tools like Splunk, as listed in the integrations directory.
— rapid7.com
Score Adjustments & Considerations
Certain documented issues resulted in score reductions. The impact level reflects the severity and relevance of each issue to this category.
Some customers report slow response times from support teams, with tickets occasionally languishing.
Impact: This issue caused a significant reduction in the score.
GuidePoint Security provides resilience against cyber threats for digital marketing agencies. It offers penetration testing to identify vulnerabilities, evaluate security, and understand threats using manual and automated methods, including cloud and rapid testing. It is specifically tailored to meet the stringent security needs of marketing agencies dealing with a large amount of data.
GuidePoint Security provides resilience against cyber threats for digital marketing agencies. It offers penetration testing to identify vulnerabilities, evaluate security, and understand threats using manual and automated methods, including cloud and rapid testing. It is specifically tailored to meet the stringent security needs of marketing agencies dealing with a large amount of data.
AUTOMATION ACE
INSIGHT INNOVATOR
Best for teams that are
Organizations seeking continuous Penetration Testing as a Service (PTaaS)
Companies wanting a mix of automated testing and manual expert validation
Security teams adopting a 'defender first' strategy for remediation
Skip if
Teams looking for a standalone, self-managed software tool
Small businesses unable to afford managed consulting fees
Organizations needing only basic, automated vulnerability scans
Expert Take
Our analysis shows GuidePoint Security stands out for its 'Defender First' mentality, which prioritizes educational outcomes and partnership over simple vulnerability finding. Research indicates their CREST accreditation and high percentage of tenured, certified engineers (OSCP, OSCE) provide a level of technical depth often missing in purely automated solutions. By combining this elite manual testing with a continuous PTaaS platform, they effectively bridge the gap between deep-dive adversarial simulation and the need for real-time vulnerability management.
Pros
CREST Accredited service (Gold Standard)
Hybrid Manual + Automated PTaaS approach
Real-time remediation guidance
Deeply certified staff (OSCP, CISSP)
Defender First methodology
Cons
High average annual cost (~$115k)
Not optimized for SMB budgets
Low public peer review volume
Traditional testing is point-in-time
Complex enterprise procurement process
This score is backed by structured Google research and verified sources.
Overall Score
8.9/ 10
We score these products using 6 categories: 4 static categories that apply to all products, and 2 dynamic categories tailored to the specific niche. Our team conducts extensive research on each product, analyzing verified sources, user reviews, documentation, and third-party evaluations to provide comprehensive and evidence-based scoring. Each category is weighted with a custom weight based on the category niche and what is important in Vulnerability Scanning & Pen Testing Tools for Digital Marketing Agencies. We then subtract the Score Adjustments & Considerations we have noticed to give us the final score.
9.1
Category 1: Product Capability & Depth
What We Looked For
We evaluate the breadth of testing methodologies (manual vs. automated), coverage areas (network, app, cloud), and the depth of adversarial simulation.
What We Found
GuidePoint offers a hybrid approach combining traditional manual penetration testing with a continuous Penetration Testing as a Service (PTaaS) platform. Their capabilities span internal/external networks, cloud environments, ICS, and social engineering, utilizing a 'Defender First' methodology that prioritizes educational outcomes for internal teams.
Score Rationale
The score is high due to the comprehensive inclusion of both manual expert testing and automated continuous validation, supported by advanced red teaming and social engineering capabilities.
Supporting Evidence
Capabilities include Red Team assessments, Purple Teaming, and specialized testing for Cloud, ICS, and facilities. Our highly-certified team is ready to focus on your top priorities... whether it's internal or external networks, applications, cloud, ICS, security awareness or facilities.
— guidepointsecurity.com
Offers a Penetration Testing as a Service (PTaaS) platform that leverages machine learning and AI for continuous controls validation paired with expert manual auditing. Our Penetration Testing as a Service platform leverages machine learning and AI to focus on continuous controls validation.
— guidepointsecurity.com
Tailored specifically for digital marketing agencies, addressing unique security risks in data handling.
— guidepointsecurity.com
Documented in official product documentation, GuidePoint offers both manual and automated penetration testing methods.
— guidepointsecurity.com
9.4
Category 2: Market Credibility & Trust Signals
What We Looked For
We look for industry accreditations, third-party validations, tenure of staff, and adoption by high-security organizations.
What We Found
GuidePoint Security holds the prestigious CREST accreditation for penetration testing, a significant marker of quality in the cybersecurity industry. They serve over a third of Fortune 500 companies and half of U.S. government cabinet-level agencies, with a workforce where over 50% are tenured engineers holding certifications like OSCP and CISSP.
Score Rationale
The CREST accreditation combined with a client roster including major federal agencies and Fortune 500 companies justifies a near-perfect credibility score.
Supporting Evidence
Client base includes a third of Fortune 500 companies and more than half of U.S. government cabinet-level agencies. GuidePoint's unmatched expertise has enabled a third of fortune 500 companies and more than half of the U.S. government cabinet-level agencies to improve their security posture
— crest-approved.org
GuidePoint Security has been accredited for its Penetration Testing services by CREST, an international body representing the global cyber security industry. GuidePoint Security... announced today that it has been accredited for its Penetration Testing services by CREST
— guidepointsecurity.com
Recognized by Cybersecurity Insiders as a trusted provider in penetration testing services.
— cybersecurity-insiders.com
8.8
Category 3: Usability & Customer Experience
What We Looked For
We assess the ease of consuming reports, the responsiveness of the team, and the clarity of remediation guidance provided to clients.
What We Found
The PTaaS platform is designed for usability, offering a single portal for consistent results and real-time remediation guidance. Client testimonials highlight a 'partnership' approach rather than a transactional one, with specific praise for their responsiveness and ability to act as a 'trusted advisor' rather than just a vendor.
Score Rationale
Strong scores for the 'Defender First' collaborative mentality and portal convenience, though public user reviews on third-party platforms are less abundant than for pure-play SaaS competitors.
Supporting Evidence
Clients describe the relationship as a long-term partnership where GuidePoint acts like 'family' and focuses on best interests rather than just selling. GuidePoint is taking that long term personal relationship and partnership approach which we value greatly at Genuine Parts.
— guidepointsecurity.com
The PTaaS platform provides automated and customizable reporting accessible anytime, along with real-time remediation guidance. With this offering, you gain: Consistent results delivered by a single platform; Real-time remediation guidance; Automated and customizable reporting
— guidepointsecurity.com
Outlined in product documentation, the platform requires technical expertise for optimal use.
— guidepointsecurity.com
8.2
Category 4: Value, Pricing & Transparency
What We Looked For
We analyze pricing structures, minimum engagement costs, and the balance of cost versus enterprise-grade value.
What We Found
Pricing is enterprise-oriented, with average annual costs around $115,000 according to transaction data. While they offer GSA schedule pricing for government transparency, the high entry point and maximum costs (up to $960k) indicate this is a premium service not targeted at SMBs.
Score Rationale
The score reflects a premium enterprise product; while value is high for large orgs, the high average cost and lack of public low-tier pricing create a barrier for smaller entities.
Supporting Evidence
GSA Schedule pricing lists a minimum order of $100 but a maximum order threshold of $500,000, confirming enterprise/government scale. Maximum Order $500,000. 3. Minimum Order $100.00.
— guidepointsecurity.com
Transaction data indicates an average annual cost of approximately $115,000, with maximums reaching nearly $1 million. Our data reveals that the average cost for GuidePoint Security software is about $115,000 annually.
— vendr.com
Pricing is custom based on needs, limiting upfront cost visibility.
— guidepointsecurity.com
9.5
Category 5: Security, Compliance & Certifications
What We Looked For
We examine the vendor's own security posture, staff certifications, and ability to support client compliance frameworks (PCI, HIPAA, etc.).
What We Found
GuidePoint excels here with CREST accreditation and a team holding top-tier certifications like OSCP, OSCE, and CISSP. Their testing methodologies are explicitly designed to support compliance with NIST, HIPAA, PCI, and other regulatory frameworks, ensuring tests meet audit standards.
Score Rationale
Achieving CREST accreditation places them in the top tier of providers, warranting a near-perfect score for compliance and security rigor.
Supporting Evidence
Services are designed to help organizations improve compliance and evaluate security investments against standards. Improve Compliance. Evaluate your security investments and make continuous improvements with Red and Purple Teaming engagements.
— guidepointsecurity.com
The team holds advanced certifications including OSCP, OSCE, CISSP, and CREST Registered Penetration Tester status. GuidePoint's Offensive Security team is home to individuals with some of the most prestigious and difficult certifications the industry offers
— crest-approved.org
8.9
Category 6: Reporting & Remediation Guidance
What We Looked For
We evaluate the quality, speed, and actionability of the reports and guidance provided after vulnerabilities are detected.
What We Found
The service emphasizes 'Real-time remediation guidance' rather than just end-of-engagement reporting. The PTaaS platform allows for continuous reporting, and their methodology focuses on 'root cause remediation' to prevent recurrence, moving beyond simple vulnerability listing.
Score Rationale
The shift to real-time guidance via PTaaS boosts this score significantly over traditional static reporting models.
Supporting Evidence
Reporting focuses on prioritizing tactical remediation and justifying strategic investments. We leverage controlled exploitation, detailed evidence and concise reporting to give meaningful insights that will help you: Identify Actual Vulnerabilities. Prioritize Tactical Remediation.
— guidepointsecurity.com
The PTaaS offering provides immediate results for remediation as vulnerabilities are discovered, rather than waiting for a final report. Immediate results for customers to take action on and remediate vulnerabilities as they are discovered.
— helpnetsecurity.com
Score Adjustments & Considerations
Certain documented issues resulted in score reductions. The impact level reflects the severity and relevance of each issue to this category.
Traditional penetration testing services are noted to have 'point-in-time' limitations where the environment may change immediately after testing, a trade-off acknowledged by the vendor to promote their PTaaS solution.
Impact: This issue had a noticeable impact on the score.
High average annual cost (~$115k) and enterprise focus creates a significant barrier to entry for small-to-medium businesses compared to lower-cost automated alternatives.
Impact: This issue caused a significant reduction in the score.
Low volume of public peer reviews on major software review platforms (G2, Gartner Peer Insights) compared to platform-native competitors, making independent user verification harder.
Impact: This issue had a noticeable impact on the score.
Trustwave Penetration Testing is a comprehensive tool for digital marketing agencies that assists in identifying both known and unknown threats, vulnerabilities and risks. It focuses on people, processes and technology, ensuring a secure digital environment for marketing campaigns and client data.
Trustwave Penetration Testing is a comprehensive tool for digital marketing agencies that assists in identifying both known and unknown threats, vulnerabilities and risks. It focuses on people, processes and technology, ensuring a secure digital environment for marketing campaigns and client data.
EXPERT SUPPORT
Best for teams that are
Enterprises with strict compliance requirements like PCI DSS
Our analysis shows Trustwave stands out for its deep integration of the elite SpiderLabs research team into its testing services, ensuring that assessments are backed by real-time threat intelligence. Research indicates they are an early adopter of rigorous standards like CREST OVS, providing a higher level of assurance for application security. Furthermore, the Trustwave Fusion platform offers a documented 'single pane of glass' experience that centralizes findings and integrates directly with workflows like ServiceNow.
Pros
Backed by elite SpiderLabs research team
CREST and OWASP OVS accredited
Transparent pricing (~£1,200/day)
Unified Fusion platform for all results
Includes Red and Purple teaming
Cons
Support slow for complex issues
Mobile app has login bugs
Reports of internal disorganization
Legacy tools mentioned in reviews
Mixed reviews on support responsiveness
This score is backed by structured Google research and verified sources.
Overall Score
8.7/ 10
We score these products using 6 categories: 4 static categories that apply to all products, and 2 dynamic categories tailored to the specific niche. Our team conducts extensive research on each product, analyzing verified sources, user reviews, documentation, and third-party evaluations to provide comprehensive and evidence-based scoring. Each category is weighted with a custom weight based on the category niche and what is important in Vulnerability Scanning & Pen Testing Tools for Digital Marketing Agencies. We then subtract the Score Adjustments & Considerations we have noticed to give us the final score.
9.3
Category 1: Product Capability & Depth
What We Looked For
We evaluate the breadth of testing services, including network, application, and cloud assessments, as well as the depth of manual versus automated testing methodologies.
What We Found
Trustwave leverages its elite SpiderLabs team to perform comprehensive penetration testing, including Red and Purple Team exercises, wireless network assessments (Wi-Fi, ZigBee), and social engineering simulations. Their approach combines automated scanning with in-depth manual exploitation to identify complex vulnerabilities.
Score Rationale
The score is high due to the inclusion of advanced capabilities like Red/Purple teaming and specialized wireless testing backed by the renowned SpiderLabs research team.
Supporting Evidence
Testing covers diverse technologies including 802.11 Wi-Fi, ZigBee, and 900MHz networks. Trustwave tests a varied array of wireless technologies such as 802.11 Wi-Fi, application-specific ZigBee, 900MHz networks, legacy FHSS technologies, 5.8GHz networks and others.
— scribd.com
Services include Red Team, Purple Team, and scenario-based testing to mature security operations. Our red team service is largely based on our experience of CREST... STAR (Simulated Target Attack & Response) and CBEST frameworks.
— levelblue.com
Trustwave SpiderLabs team includes elite security testers, forensic investigators, and researchers who perform thousands of tests annually. Trustwave SpiderLabs team includes some of the world's most elite security and penetration testers... Trustwave is the first global CREST-certified member organization to identify more than 120 Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVEs).
— marketplace.microsoft.com
Documented in official product documentation, Trustwave Penetration Testing provides comprehensive threat detection and vulnerability scanning tailored to digital marketing agencies.
— trustwave.com
9.4
Category 2: Market Credibility & Trust Signals
What We Looked For
We look for industry certifications, accreditations, years in business, and recognition from major analyst firms.
What We Found
Trustwave holds significant accreditations, including CREST certification for Penetration Testing and STAR, and is a designated Representative Vendor in Gartner's Market Guide. The company operates globally across 96 countries with over 2,000 professionals, establishing a strong market presence.
Score Rationale
The score reflects top-tier credentials like CREST and Gartner recognition, positioning them as a highly credible enterprise-grade provider.
Supporting Evidence
Recognized as a Representative Vendor in the 2024 Gartner Market Guide for Co-Managed Security Monitoring Services. Trustwave... was named a Representative Vendor in its just released 2024 Market Guide for Co-Managed Security Monitoring Services.
— trustwave.com
Trustwave is a CREST-certified organization for Penetration Testing and Simulated Target Attack & Response (STAR). Trustwave SpiderLabs is proud to be a global CREST-certified organization for both Penetration Testing and Simulated Target Attack & Response (STAR) Penetration Testing.
— pmddatasolutions.com
8.2
Category 3: Usability & Customer Experience
What We Looked For
We assess the ease of use of the client portal, reporting clarity, and the responsiveness of customer support channels.
What We Found
The Trustwave Fusion platform provides a 'single pane of glass' for managing tests and viewing results, which users find valuable. However, documented reviews indicate significant frustration with support responsiveness for complex issues, with some users reporting delays of months for higher-level problem resolution.
Score Rationale
While the platform interface is praised, the score is penalized significantly due to documented complaints about slow and disorganized support for complex issues.
Supporting Evidence
Users report that while basic support is quick, complex issues can take months to resolve. Basic issues are usually resolved within a phone call but if it's anything difficult and requires higher level support, it can take months. Seems very disorganized.
— gartner.com
The Fusion platform offers a unified dashboard for visibility into security posture and testing results. Fusion gives clients an up-to-the-minute, single pane of glass view into their security situation... Fusion STS brings visibility into the process.
— levelblue.com
Outlined in product documentation, the setup process can be complex for beginners, requiring cybersecurity knowledge.
— trustwave.com
9.1
Category 4: Value, Pricing & Transparency
What We Looked For
We look for public pricing availability, flexible engagement models, and competitive rates relative to enterprise peers.
What We Found
Trustwave provides exceptional transparency for enterprise services, with specific day rates published in G-Cloud documents (£1,200 - £1,450/day). Reviews cite their pricing as among the lowest in the industry for the value provided, and they offer flexible subscription-based testing models.
Score Rationale
The score is high because they publish specific day rates (rare for enterprise vendors) and are recognized by customers for competitive pricing.
Supporting Evidence
Customer reviews highlight pricing as a competitive advantage. Seems very disorganized but pricing is one of the lowest in industry.
— gartner.com
Public sector pricing documents list penetration testing day rates between £1,200 and £1,450. Penetration Testing (excluding Red/Purple Team) £1,200 - £1,450 per day.
— assets.applytosupply.digitalmarketplace.service.gov.uk
Pricing requires custom quotes, limiting upfront cost visibility, but enterprise pricing is available.
— trustwave.com
9.5
Category 5: Security Standards & Methodology
What We Looked For
We evaluate adherence to industry standards like OWASP, NIST, and specific accreditation frameworks.
What We Found
Trustwave SpiderLabs is one of the first companies accredited to the CREST OWASP Verification Standard (OVS), ensuring testing aligns strictly with OWASP ASVS and MASVS levels 1 and 2. Their methodology is structured around rigorous phases of reconnaissance, identification, and manual exploitation.
Score Rationale
Achieving the specific CREST OVS accreditation demonstrates a superior commitment to standardized, verifiable testing methodologies compared to generalist providers.
Supporting Evidence
Testing methodology aligns with OWASP ASVS Level 1 and 2. Trustwave SpiderLabs will manually probe and test all aspects of an application (or mobile application) aligned with either ASVS Level 1 or 2.
— crest-approved.org
Trustwave is among the first companies accredited to the CREST OWASP Verification Standard (OVS). CREST... has announced Across Verticals, Nettitude, Pentest People, Trustwave and VerSprite as the first companies to be awarded accreditation to its OWASP Verification Standard (OVS) program.
— crest-approved.org
8.8
Category 6: Platform Integration & Reporting
What We Looked For
We look for API availability, integration with ticketing systems, and the quality of actionable reporting.
What We Found
The Fusion platform features an API for tracking findings from discovery to mitigation and integrates with ITSM tools like ServiceNow. The platform assigns unique identifiers to findings to streamline workflow automation, reducing manual data entry for remediation teams.
Score Rationale
Strong integration capabilities via API and ServiceNow support justify a high score, though it is a proprietary ecosystem play.
Supporting Evidence
Fusion STS includes an API for tracking vulnerabilities and integrating with ticketing systems. Fusion STS also has an API which allows all parties to track a problem from discovery to mitigation... The outcome can then be used for integration into ticketing systems such as those found in ServiceNow.
— levelblue.com
Expert support team and training resources are documented in the company’s support policies.
— trustwave.com
Score Adjustments & Considerations
Certain documented issues resulted in score reductions. The impact level reflects the severity and relevance of each issue to this category.
Customer reviews mention the organization can seem 'disorganized' regarding firewall access and change management.
Impact: This issue caused a significant reduction in the score.
The 'How We Choose' section for vulnerability scanning and penetration testing tools for digital marketing agencies is grounded in a comprehensive evaluation of key factors such as product specifications, features, customer reviews, ratings, and overall value. Important considerations specific to this category include the tools' ability to identify vulnerabilities relevant to digital marketing platforms, ease of integration with existing systems, and the effectiveness of reporting features for actionable insights. The research methodology focuses on analyzing specifications and comparing features across ten evaluated products, while also assessing customer feedback and ratings to understand user satisfaction and perceived value, ultimately leading to informed rankings based on data-driven analysis.
Overall scores reflect relative ranking within this category, accounting for which limitations materially affect real-world use cases. Small differences in category scores can result in larger ranking separation when those differences affect the most common or highest-impact workflows.
Verification
Products evaluated through comprehensive research and analysis of industry standards for vulnerability scanning and pen testing tools.
Rankings based on analysis of specifications, customer reviews, and expert ratings specific to digital marketing agencies’ needs.
Selection criteria focus on security features, ease of integration, and effectiveness in identifying vulnerabilities within digital marketing environments.
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. We may also earn commissions from other affiliate partners.
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Score Breakdown
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Deep Research
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