Catalog comparison
ZAP (Zed Attack Proxy)Harness
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.
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.
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.
At a glance
Primary testing surface
ZAP (Zed Attack Proxy)
Security
Harness
Security
Primary capability
ZAP (Zed Attack Proxy)
Security
Harness
Security
License and pricing
ZAP (Zed Attack Proxy)
free · open source
Harness
freemium
Free trial
ZAP (Zed Attack Proxy)
No
Harness
No
Free-tier limit
ZAP (Zed Attack Proxy)
Not listed in catalog
Harness
Up to 500 users
Complexity
ZAP (Zed Attack Proxy)
intermediate
Harness
intermediate
Team fit
ZAP (Zed Attack Proxy)
enterprise, large, medium, small
Harness
large, medium, small
Test authoring languages
ZAP (Zed Attack Proxy)
Java, JavaScript, Python, REST API
Harness
C#, Go, Java, JavaScript, JSON, Kotlin, PHP, Python, Ruby, Rust, Shell, Swift, TypeScript, YAML
Supported platforms
ZAP (Zed Attack Proxy)
CLI, Docker, Linux, macOS, Web, Windows
Harness
APIs, AWS, Azure, Bitbucket, CI/CD, Cloud, Docker, GitHub, GitLab, Google Cloud, Jenkins, Kubernetes, Microservices, Multi-Cloud, On-Premises, SaaS, Web
MCP server
ZAP (Zed Attack Proxy)
No
Harness
No
Key features (catalog)
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
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
Limitations (catalog)
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
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
| Attribute | ZAP (Zed Attack Proxy) | Harness |
|---|---|---|
| Primary testing surface | Security | Security |
| Primary capability | Security | Security |
| License and pricing | free · open source | freemium |
| Free trial | No | No |
| Free-tier limit | Not listed in catalog | Up to 500 users |
| Complexity | intermediate | intermediate |
| Team fit | enterprise, large, medium, small | large, medium, small |
| Test authoring languages | Java, JavaScript, Python, REST API | C#, Go, Java, JavaScript, JSON, Kotlin, PHP, Python, Ruby, Rust, Shell, Swift, TypeScript, YAML |
| Supported platforms | CLI, Docker, Linux, macOS, Web, Windows | APIs, AWS, Azure, Bitbucket, CI/CD, Cloud, Docker, GitHub, GitLab, Google Cloud, Jenkins, Kubernetes, Microservices, Multi-Cloud, On-Premises, SaaS, Web |
| MCP server | No | No |
| Key features (catalog) | 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 | 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 |
| Limitations (catalog) | 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 | 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 |
How the trade-offs apply to your team
Guidance below is inferred only from catalog differences. It is not a winner pick.
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
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
Questions to verify before choosing
- Confirm current pricing and packaging on the ZAP (Zed Attack Proxy) and Harness 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.