Catalog comparison
HarnessZAP (Zed Attack Proxy)
Side-by-side facts from the TestGuild Tool Matcher catalog. Empty cells mean the catalog does not list that attribute — not that the product lacks it.
AI-native software delivery platform with modular products spanning CI/CD, testing, and security. Security-focused capabilities include Application Security Testing integrated into the SDLC (including APIs and AI applications), Web Application and API Protection for runtime risk, and AI Security for discovery and defense of AI assets. Organizations typically adopt specific modules while sharing a unified pipeline and governance model across DevOps and AppSec.
The world's most widely used web app scanner. Free and open source DAST tool by Checkmarx. A community based GitHub Top 1000 project that anyone can contribute to.
At a glance
Primary testing surface
Harness
Security
ZAP (Zed Attack Proxy)
Security
Primary capability
Harness
Security
ZAP (Zed Attack Proxy)
Security
License and pricing
Harness
freemium
ZAP (Zed Attack Proxy)
free · open source
Free trial
Harness
No
ZAP (Zed Attack Proxy)
No
Free-tier limit
Harness
Up to 500 users
ZAP (Zed Attack Proxy)
Not listed in catalog
Complexity
Harness
intermediate
ZAP (Zed Attack Proxy)
intermediate
Team fit
Harness
large, medium, small
ZAP (Zed Attack Proxy)
enterprise, large, medium, small
Test authoring languages
Harness
C#, Go, Java, JavaScript, JSON, Kotlin, PHP, Python, Ruby, Rust, Shell, Swift, TypeScript, YAML
ZAP (Zed Attack Proxy)
Java, JavaScript, Python, REST API
Supported platforms
Harness
APIs, AWS, Azure, Bitbucket, CI/CD, Cloud, Docker, GitHub, GitLab, Google Cloud, Jenkins, Kubernetes, Microservices, Multi-Cloud, On-Premises, SaaS, Web
ZAP (Zed Attack Proxy)
CLI, Docker, Linux, macOS, Web, Windows
MCP server
Harness
No
ZAP (Zed Attack Proxy)
No
Key features (catalog)
Harness
AI Security for AI asset discovery, posture, and AI-specific threats, Application Security Testing integrated into CI/CD pipelines, Broad ecosystem integrations (cloud providers, registries, SCM), Governance and policy-oriented pipeline integration, Modular platform alongside CI, CD, test automation, and resilience products, Multi-cloud and Kubernetes-friendly delivery patterns, Security testing aligned with APIs and AI application workflows, Web Application and API Protection for runtime monitoring and defense
ZAP (Zed Attack Proxy)
Active scanning capabilities, API security testing, Authentication support, Automated security scanning, CI/CD integration, Community-driven development, Comprehensive reporting, Cross-platform support (Windows, Mac, Linux), Docker container support, Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) +9 more
Limitations (catalog)
Harness
Competes with many standalone best-of-breed security tools, Enterprise pricing and packaging can be complex for small teams, Full value assumes adoption of Harness delivery and pipeline modules, Implementation effort for organization-wide standardization, Security depth varies by licensed modules versus full platform
ZAP (Zed Attack Proxy)
Limited enterprise support options, Limited to web application testing, May generate false positives requiring manual review, No built-in SAST capabilities, No mobile app security testing, Requires manual configuration for complex applications, Requires security expertise to use effectively, Steep learning curve for advanced features
| Attribute | Harness | ZAP (Zed Attack Proxy) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary testing surface | Security | Security |
| Primary capability | Security | Security |
| License and pricing | freemium | free · open source |
| Free trial | No | No |
| Free-tier limit | Up to 500 users | Not listed in catalog |
| Complexity | intermediate | intermediate |
| Team fit | large, medium, small | enterprise, large, medium, small |
| Test authoring languages | C#, Go, Java, JavaScript, JSON, Kotlin, PHP, Python, Ruby, Rust, Shell, Swift, TypeScript, YAML | Java, JavaScript, Python, REST API |
| Supported platforms | APIs, AWS, Azure, Bitbucket, CI/CD, Cloud, Docker, GitHub, GitLab, Google Cloud, Jenkins, Kubernetes, Microservices, Multi-Cloud, On-Premises, SaaS, Web | CLI, Docker, Linux, macOS, Web, Windows |
| MCP server | No | No |
| Key features (catalog) | AI Security for AI asset discovery, posture, and AI-specific threats, Application Security Testing integrated into CI/CD pipelines, Broad ecosystem integrations (cloud providers, registries, SCM), Governance and policy-oriented pipeline integration, Modular platform alongside CI, CD, test automation, and resilience products, Multi-cloud and Kubernetes-friendly delivery patterns, Security testing aligned with APIs and AI application workflows, Web Application and API Protection for runtime monitoring and defense | Active scanning capabilities, API security testing, Authentication support, Automated security scanning, CI/CD integration, Community-driven development, Comprehensive reporting, Cross-platform support (Windows, Mac, Linux), Docker container support, Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) +9 more |
| Limitations (catalog) | Competes with many standalone best-of-breed security tools, Enterprise pricing and packaging can be complex for small teams, Full value assumes adoption of Harness delivery and pipeline modules, Implementation effort for organization-wide standardization, Security depth varies by licensed modules versus full platform | Limited enterprise support options, Limited to web application testing, May generate false positives requiring manual review, No built-in SAST capabilities, No mobile app security testing, Requires manual configuration for complex applications, Requires security expertise to use effectively, Steep learning curve for advanced features |
How the trade-offs apply to your team
Guidance below is inferred only from catalog differences. It is not a winner pick.
Consider Harness if…
- you need coverage for APIs, AWS, Azure, Bitbucket
- your team writes tests in C#, Go, JSON, Kotlin
- you care about AI Security for AI asset discovery, posture, and AI-specific threats and Application Security Testing integrated into CI/CD pipelines
Consider ZAP (Zed Attack Proxy) if…
- you need coverage for CLI, Linux, macOS, Windows
- your team writes tests in REST API
- open source matters for your team
- you care about Active scanning capabilities and API security testing
Questions to verify before choosing
- Confirm current pricing and packaging on the Harness and ZAP (Zed Attack Proxy) websites.
- Trial both tools against a real slice of your application, not a demo site.
- Verify the exact browser, device, or OS matrix you must support.