Catalog comparison
OWASP Dependency-CheckZAP (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.
Software Composition Analysis (SCA) tool that detects publicly disclosed vulnerabilities contained within a project's dependencies. Uses Common Platform Enumeration (CPE) identifiers and generates reports linking to associated CVE entries. Integrates with NPM Audit API, OSS Index, RetireJS, and Bundler Audit.
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
OWASP Dependency-Check
Security
ZAP (Zed Attack Proxy)
Security
Primary capability
OWASP Dependency-Check
Security
ZAP (Zed Attack Proxy)
Security
License and pricing
OWASP Dependency-Check
free · open source
ZAP (Zed Attack Proxy)
free · open source
Free trial
OWASP Dependency-Check
No
ZAP (Zed Attack Proxy)
No
Complexity
OWASP Dependency-Check
intermediate
ZAP (Zed Attack Proxy)
intermediate
Team fit
OWASP Dependency-Check
enterprise, large, medium, small
ZAP (Zed Attack Proxy)
enterprise, large, medium, small
Test authoring languages
OWASP Dependency-Check
.NET, Go, Java, JavaScript, Multi-language, PHP, Python, Ruby, Scala
ZAP (Zed Attack Proxy)
Java, JavaScript, Python, REST API
Supported platforms
OWASP Dependency-Check
Ant, Circle CI, Command Line, Cross-platform, Gradle, Jenkins, Linux, macOS, Maven, SBT, SonarQube, Windows
ZAP (Zed Attack Proxy)
CLI, Docker, Linux, macOS, Web, Windows
MCP server
OWASP Dependency-Check
No
ZAP (Zed Attack Proxy)
No
Key features (catalog)
OWASP Dependency-Check
Ant task integration, Automatic database updates, Automatic vulnerability detection in dependencies, Bundler Audit integration, CI/CD pipeline integration, Circle CI Orb, Command line interface, Common Platform Enumeration (CPE) identification, Cross-platform compatibility, CVE report generation +15 more
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)
OWASP Dependency-Check
False positives may occur with CPE matching, Initial database download can take 10+ minutes, Learning curve for configuration optimization, Limited to publicly disclosed vulnerabilities, May miss vulnerabilities without CVE entries, Performance impact on large projects, Requires internet connectivity for updates, Requires regular updates for accuracy
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 | OWASP Dependency-Check | ZAP (Zed Attack Proxy) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary testing surface | Security | Security |
| Primary capability | Security | Security |
| License and pricing | free · open source | free · open source |
| Free trial | No | No |
| Complexity | intermediate | intermediate |
| Team fit | enterprise, large, medium, small | enterprise, large, medium, small |
| Test authoring languages | .NET, Go, Java, JavaScript, Multi-language, PHP, Python, Ruby, Scala | Java, JavaScript, Python, REST API |
| Supported platforms | Ant, Circle CI, Command Line, Cross-platform, Gradle, Jenkins, Linux, macOS, Maven, SBT, SonarQube, Windows | CLI, Docker, Linux, macOS, Web, Windows |
| MCP server | No | No |
| Key features (catalog) | Ant task integration, Automatic database updates, Automatic vulnerability detection in dependencies, Bundler Audit integration, CI/CD pipeline integration, Circle CI Orb, Command line interface, Common Platform Enumeration (CPE) identification, Cross-platform compatibility, CVE report generation +15 more | 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) | False positives may occur with CPE matching, Initial database download can take 10+ minutes, Learning curve for configuration optimization, Limited to publicly disclosed vulnerabilities, May miss vulnerabilities without CVE entries, Performance impact on large projects, Requires internet connectivity for updates, Requires regular updates for accuracy | 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 OWASP Dependency-Check if…
- you need coverage for Ant, Circle CI, Command Line, Cross-platform
- your team writes tests in .NET, Go, Multi-language, PHP
- you care about Ant task integration and Automatic database updates
Consider ZAP (Zed Attack Proxy) if…
- you need coverage for CLI, Docker, Web
- your team writes tests in REST API
- you care about Active scanning capabilities and API security testing
Questions to verify before choosing
- Confirm current pricing and packaging on the OWASP Dependency-Check 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.