SAST vs DAST vs SCA — Which Scanner Do You Need?
Interactive comparison for web teams. Pick your scenario and see whether static analysis, dynamic scanning, or dependency review should come first — plus where free online DAST fits.
Interactive Scanner Picker
Answer three questions to see a practical starting point — not a vendor checklist.
What do you need to test first?
What is your AppSec maturity?
What is driving the decision?
Select one option in each section to see your recommended starting point.
Side-by-Side Comparison
How SAST, DAST, and SCA differ in practice.
| Dimension | SAST | DAST | SCA |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it tests | Source code / binaries | Running web application | Dependencies & packages |
| When it runs | CI pipeline, pre-merge | Staging or production-like URL | Build time / SBOM review |
| Typical owner | Developers | Security + QA | DevOps / AppSec |
| Finds SQLi in live forms | Sometimes (static patterns) | Yes — primary strength | No |
| Finds vulnerable npm package | Rarely | No | Yes — primary strength |
| Setup friction | Repo integration | URL + auth context | Lockfile / registry access |
| Vulnify fit | Use SAST in CI alongside Vulnify | Vulnify DAST — free online scan | Add SCA; use Vulnify for runtime gaps |
Typical Team Stack
Most mature web teams use all three — in this order.
1. SCA in CI
Catch vulnerable dependencies on every build.
2. SAST on pull requests
Flag unsafe patterns before merge.
3. DAST on staging
Validate exploitable behavior with free online DAST scans.
SAST vs DAST vs SCA FAQ
Quick answers for developers comparing scanner types.
SAST (static application security testing) analyzes source code or binaries without executing the application. DAST (dynamic application security testing) probes a running app from the outside, finding exploitable flaws like SQL injection and XSS in live forms. SCA (software composition analysis) flags known CVEs in third-party dependencies. Most mature teams run all three at different pipeline stages for complete coverage.
Related Security Guides
Go deeper on scanner types, vulnerability testing, and secure web development.
SAST vs DAST vs SCA: Full Guide
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Read Full GuideHow to Scan a Website for Vulnerabilities
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