Invicti vs SonicWall Web Application Firewall
Both Invicti and SonicWall Web Application Firewall are capable WAF solutions. The right choice depends on your specific infrastructure, budget, and feature requirements.
Overview
Invicti and SonicWall Web Application Firewall 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.
Appliance-based WAF from the established network security vendor, offering deep packet inspection, PCI DSS compliance, and integration with SonicWall's broader firewall ecosystem.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Invicti | SonicWall Web Application Firewall |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 3.8/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Free Tier | No | No |
| Pricing Model | Custom (enterprise, annual contract) | Appliance + Annual subscription |
| Ease of Use | 3.5/5 | 3.2/5 |
| Value for Money | 3.3/5 | 3.3/5 |
| Support | 4.0/5 | 3.8/5 |
| 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. | Hardware appliance, Virtual appliance (VMware, Hyper-V, AWS, Azure) |
| Compliance | SOC 2 Type 2, helps with PCI DSS, HIPAA, ISO 27001, GDPR compliance scanning | PCI DSS, HIPAA, SOC 2, FIPS 140-2 |
Pricing Comparison
Invicti
Model: Custom (enterprise, annual contract)
Acunetix (SMB)
Custom (starts ~$4,500/year)
Invicti (Enterprise)
Custom (annual contract)
SonicWall Web Application Firewall
Model: Appliance + Annual subscription
SMA WAF (Virtual)
Custom pricing
SMA WAF (Hardware)
Custom pricing
Features Comparison
Invicti
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
SonicWall Web Application Firewall
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Deep Packet Inspection
Layer 7 traffic analysis using regularly updated threat signature databases to detect and block application-layer attacks.
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Anomaly Detection
Baselines normal application behavior and identifies suspicious deviations that may indicate attacks.
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Application Profiling
Learns application structure and enforces positive security model based on expected input patterns.
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SSL/TLS Offloading
Handles SSL/TLS termination and inspection, reducing load on backend servers while enabling encrypted traffic analysis.
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Bot Protection
Identifies and blocks malicious bots while allowing legitimate crawlers through configurable policies.
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PCI DSS Reporting
Built-in compliance reporting for PCI DSS requirements related to web application security.
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.
SonicWall Web Application Firewall
- You need: Organizations already using SonicWall network firewalls, on-premise deployments requiring hardware WAF, mid-market companies needing PCI DSS compliance
- You're using: Hardware appliance, Virtual appliance (VMware, Hyper-V, AWS, Azure)
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 SonicWall Web Application Firewall?
Invicti has a higher support rating (4.0/5) compared to SonicWall Web Application Firewall (3.8/5). 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 SonicWall Web Application Firewall?
Invicti scores higher for ease of use (3.5/5) versus SonicWall Web Application Firewall (3.2/5). The actual implementation effort depends on your existing infrastructure and team expertise.
Which is more cost-effective: Invicti or SonicWall Web Application Firewall?
Neither provider offers a completely free tier. Total cost depends on your traffic volume, required features, and support level needs.
Which works better with AWS: Invicti or SonicWall Web Application Firewall?
SonicWall Web Application Firewall explicitly supports AWS while Invicti's AWS integration may vary. Consider whether native AWS integration or cross-cloud portability matters more for your use case.
Which is better for enterprise: Invicti or SonicWall Web Application Firewall?
Invicti is positioned for enterprise use cases, while SonicWall Web Application Firewall 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.