WAFPlanet

Invicti vs Modshield SB

Both Invicti and Modshield SB are capable WAF solutions. The right choice depends on your specific infrastructure, budget, and feature requirements.

Overview

Invicti and Modshield SB are both popular web application firewall solutions. This comparison will help you understand the key differences and choose the right one for your needs.

Application security testing platform offering DAST and IAST scanning. Formerly Netsparker. Products include Invicti (enterprise DAST) and Acunetix (SMB DAST). Not a WAF, but a vulnerability scanner that finds the vulnerabilities WAFs protect against. OWASP Gold sponsor. Proof-based scanning reduces false positives. Custom enterprise pricing.

ModSecurity-based web application firewall with an intuitive management UI, offering IP reputation filtering, geo-blocking, SIEM integration, and built-in load balancing in a self-hosted virtual appliance.

Quick Comparison

Feature Invicti Modshield SB
Overall Rating 3.8/5 3.5/5
Free Tier No No
Pricing Model Custom (enterprise, annual contract) Subscription-based, per appliance
Ease of Use 3.5/5 3.8/5
Value for Money 3.3/5 3.5/5
Support 4.0/5 3.3/5
Platforms Scans any web application accessible via HTTP/HTTPS. Supports REST APIs, GraphQL, SOAP, single-page applications (React, Angular, Vue), and traditional server-rendered applications. On-premises scanner available for internal applications. Any web application (deployed as reverse proxy VM)
Compliance SOC 2 Type 2, helps with PCI DSS, HIPAA, ISO 27001, GDPR compliance scanning OWASP Top 10 coverage, PCI DSS support

Pricing Comparison

Invicti

Model: Custom (enterprise, annual contract)

Acunetix (SMB)

Custom (starts ~$4,500/year)

Invicti (Enterprise)

Custom (annual contract)

View full pricing →

Modshield SB

Model: Subscription-based, per appliance

Standard

Contact for pricing

Enterprise

Contact for pricing

View full pricing →

Features Comparison

Invicti

  • Proof-Based Scanning

    When a vulnerability is found, Invicti attempts to safely exploit it and provides concrete proof. For SQL injection, it extracts actual data. For file inclusion, it reads a specific file. This eliminates the false positive problem that plagues most security scanners.

  • DAST (Dynamic Application Security Testing)

    Tests running web applications by sending crafted HTTP requests and analyzing responses. Finds SQL injection, XSS, CSRF, file inclusion, authentication flaws, and other OWASP Top 10 vulnerabilities in production or staging environments.

  • IAST (Interactive Application Security Testing)

    Instruments the application at runtime to provide deeper vulnerability detection. Combines external scanning with internal application visibility. Finds vulnerabilities that pure DAST scanning might miss, such as insecure deserialization or business logic flaws.

  • API Security Testing

    Scans REST APIs, GraphQL endpoints, and SOAP services. Imports API definitions (OpenAPI/Swagger, WSDL, GraphQL schemas) and tests all endpoints for vulnerabilities. Critical for modern applications where APIs are the primary attack surface.

  • CI/CD Pipeline Integration

    Integrates with Jenkins, Azure DevOps, GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, and other CI/CD platforms. Automatically scans applications as part of the deployment pipeline. Fails builds if critical vulnerabilities are found.

  • WAF Rule Export

    Exports discovered vulnerabilities as WAF rules that can be imported into WAF products. Creates targeted virtual patches for specific vulnerabilities found during scanning. Bridges the gap between vulnerability discovery and runtime mitigation.

  • Compliance Reporting

    Generates compliance reports mapped to PCI DSS, HIPAA, ISO 27001, and OWASP Top 10 requirements. Useful for demonstrating due diligence during audits and regulatory reviews.

  • Single-Page Application Support

    Full support for scanning modern JavaScript applications built with React, Angular, or Vue. Invicti executes JavaScript, interacts with dynamic page elements, and discovers application states that traditional crawlers miss.

Modshield SB

  • ModSecurity Engine

    Built on the proven ModSecurity WAF engine with full OWASP Core Rule Set compatibility.

  • IP Reputation Filtering

    Automatically block traffic from known malicious IP addresses using continuously updated threat intelligence feeds.

  • Geo-Blocking

    Country-level blacklisting and whitelisting to restrict access based on geographic origin.

  • SIEM Integration

    Forward security logs to external SIEM systems like Splunk and Elasticsearch for centralized monitoring.

  • Built-in Load Balancer

    Integrated load balancing distributes traffic across multiple backend servers without additional infrastructure.

  • Compliance Metrics

    Built-in compliance reporting and dashboards to help meet regulatory requirements.

Which One Is Right for You?

The best WAF depends on your specific requirements, infrastructure, and team expertise.

Invicti

  • You need: Enterprise security teams evaluating WAF effectiveness against actual application vulnerabilities. DevSecOps teams wanting automated vulnerability scanning in CI/CD pipelines. Organizations needing compliance scanning for PCI DSS, HIPAA, or ISO 27001. Security consultants performing application security assessments.
  • You're using: Scans any web application accessible via HTTP/HTTPS. Supports REST APIs, GraphQL, SOAP, single-page applications (React, Angular, Vue), and traditional server-rendered applications. On-premises scanner available for internal applications.
Learn more →

Modshield SB

  • You need: Organizations wanting managed ModSecurity with a GUI, self-hosted WAF requirements, compliance-focused deployments
  • You're using: Any web application (deployed as reverse proxy VM)
Learn more →

We recommend evaluating both options with a trial or free tier before committing. Consider your existing infrastructure, team expertise, compliance requirements, and budget.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which has better support: Invicti or Modshield SB?

Invicti has a higher support rating (4.0/5) compared to Modshield SB (3.3/5). However, support quality can vary based on your plan tier - enterprise customers typically receive more responsive support from both providers. Consider evaluating support during a trial period.

Which is easier to implement: Invicti or Modshield SB?

Modshield SB scores higher for ease of use (3.8/5) versus Invicti (3.5/5). The actual implementation effort depends on your existing infrastructure and team expertise.

Which is more cost-effective: Invicti or Modshield SB?

Neither provider offers a completely free tier. Modshield SB scores higher for value (3.5/5). Total cost depends on your traffic volume, required features, and support level needs.

Which is better for enterprise: Invicti or Modshield SB?

Invicti is positioned for enterprise use cases, while Modshield SB may be more suited for small to mid-market organizations. Both offer compliance certifications important for enterprise. Enterprise buyers should evaluate SLAs, support options, and integration capabilities.