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Scanner, automated pentest, or manual test?
An honest comparison of the ways to test a web application — including where our own products are not the right answer.
Comparisons
- MyPentest vs Vulnerability ScannersBoth are automated. The difference is what happens between sending a request and calling something a vulnerability.Read the comparison
- BugSnaps vs a Traditional Penetration TestA traditional pentest is a snapshot: accurate on the day, then out of date with your next release. We pair expert testing with automation that keeps running.Read the comparison
- Automated vs Manual Penetration TestingThey're not competitors. Automation gives you coverage and frequency; people give you judgement. Here's where each one wins.Read the comparison
All four, side by side
| Dimension | Vulnerability scannerTypical; varies by tool | MyPentestBugSnaps' automated pentest | Traditional manual pentestTypical engagement | BugSnaps engagementExpert-led, with MyPentest between tests |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Attack-surface discovery | Often limited to the URLs or hosts you list; some crawl. | Crawls the app, reads JavaScript for hidden endpoints, finds OpenAPI, GraphQL and login surfaces. | Manual mapping by the tester within the agreed scope. | Manual mapping plus reconnaissance, including forgotten subdomains and exposed services. |
| How findings are validated | Mostly signature and version matching; false positives are common. | Differential probes (baseline vs. probe vs. control), reproduce-before-report for access control, a confidence level on every finding. | Verified by a person. | Verified by a person, with reproduction steps for each finding. |
| Exploitation | Usually none. | None, by design: harmless canary inputs and read-only access checks. Nothing is changed or deleted. | Controlled exploitation within the rules of engagement. | Controlled, non-destructive exploitation agreed in writing. |
| Signed-in (authenticated) testing | Varies; often needs manual session setup. | Signs in as test accounts you supply and checks one user can't reach another's data. | Yes, across the roles in scope. | Yes, with an authorization matrix across every role. |
| API testing | Varies by tool. | Tests discovered REST and GraphQL endpoints, including object-level access with test accounts. | Usually in scope when requested. | Dedicated API testing mapped to the OWASP API Top 10. |
| Business-logic flaws | Not detected. | Flags tampering surfaces (e.g. client-controlled prices or roles) as leads — it can't judge intent. | Yes — this is where human testers earn their keep. | Yes, including chained attack paths. |
| Reporting | Long lists, often with generic advice. | Grouped findings with CVSS 3.1, confidence, evidence, fixes, attack paths and a remediation plan. PDF, HTML, Markdown, JSON, SARIF. | A written report, commonly delivered after testing ends. | Technical report plus executive summary for customers and auditors, and a walkthrough call. |
| Repeat testing | Easy to re-run. | Re-run any time; keep the DNS record and re-verification is instant. | Point in time; retests are often extra. | Retesting of fixes included; MyPentest covers the time between engagements. |
| Speed | Minutes to hours. | Minutes to an hour for a typical small app. | Days to weeks, plus scheduling. | Typically 5–12 testing days, scoped up front. |
| Cost model | Subscription or per-asset licence. | Free during launch; paid plans later. | Per engagement. | Fixed quote per scope, in writing before work starts. |
| What it can test | Depends on the product: web, network, containers, cloud. | Web applications and their APIs on domains you verify. | Whatever is in scope. | Web apps, APIs, networks, cloud configuration and code. |
| Developer workflow | Varies; many integrate with CI. | SARIF export for code-scanning tools, Markdown per finding for tickets, severity-based fix windows. | Report handed over at the end. | Critical issues raised the same day; fix support available. |
We don't publish claims about specific competitors' products. Category columns describe typical tools and engagements.
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