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Arcjet vs OWASP ZAP: Which is Better in 2026?

Choosing between Arcjet and OWASP ZAP comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.

Bottom line: OWASP ZAP wins this matchup. 1Password is our overall Security pick. LastPass is our free Security pick. Pick Arcjet if you need its specific feature set.

··Methodology
Editor reviewed0 verified reviews comparedPricing checked Oct 2026

Short on time? Here's the quick answer

We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:

Arcjet

Real-time AI agent security and policy enforcement

Best for you if:

  • • You want enforces security at the action boundary, catching issues that other controls miss
  • • You want supports a wide range of AI agent frameworks and web frameworks

OWASP ZAP

Open-source web application security scanner

Best for you if:

  • • You want a fully free tool (Arcjet requires payment)
  • • You want free security scanner
  • • You want good for web apps
At a Glance
ArcjetArcjet
OWASP ZAPOWASP ZAP
Starts at
$25/moIndividual
FreeFree tier available
Best For
SecuritySecurity
Rating
4.6/54.7/5
Free plan
 No Yes

Choose Arcjet or OWASP ZAP?

Arcjet

Choose Arcjet if

Real-time AI agent security and policy enforcement

  • You want enforces security at the action boundary, catching issues that other controls miss
  • You want supports a wide range of AI agent frameworks and web frameworks
OWASP ZAP

Choose OWASP ZAP if

Open-source web application security scanner

  • You want a fully free tool (Arcjet requires payment)
  • You want free security scanner
  • You want good for web apps
Arcjet logo

Arcjet

Real-time AI agent security and policy enforcement

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TOP RATED
OWASP ZAP logo

OWASP ZAP

Open-source web application security scanner

Visit Website
FeatureArcjetOWASP ZAP
Pricing ModelPaidFree
User Rating
★4.6/5
16 reviews
★4.7/5
14 reviews
Categories
SecurityAI Agents
SecurityTesting & QA

In-Depth Analysis

ArcjetArcjet

Real-time AI agent security and policy enforcement

Starts at $25/mo
Fair value

Arcjet's pricing is reasonable for a niche runtime security tool, but the $25/mo Individual tier offers only 1 hour log retention and no SIEM export, making it expensive for solo users.

Watch out

Only 1 hour log retention on $25/mo tier forces $299/mo upgrade for 24 hours

Strengths

  • +Enforces security at the action boundary, catching issues that other controls miss
  • +Supports a wide range of AI agent frameworks and web frameworks
  • +Provides detailed audit trails for compliance and debugging

Weaknesses

  • -Pricing can be complex with separate usage fees for web and agent requests
  • -Requires integration and setup, which may be a barrier for non-technical users

Key features

Prompt injection detection on user input, API responses, and tool outputSensitive data loss prevention (DLP) to stop PII leaks in inputs and outputsBot protection and Shield WAF for web applicationsAgent tool controls that enforce policies by identity, role, route, and typed inputReal-time decision-making with allow, block, redact, or hold for review actionsAudit trail with decisions, policy versions, and run history

OWASP ZAPOWASP ZAP

Open-source web application security scanner

Starts at Free
Great value

OWASP ZAP's pricing is exceptionally generous, being entirely free.

Strengths

  • +Free security scanner
  • +Good for web apps
  • +Active community
  • +CI/CD integration
  • +Open source

Weaknesses

  • -Learning curve
  • -False positives
  • -Performance varies
  • -UI dated
  • -Configuration needed

Key features

Web security scannerPenetration testingActive scanningAPI scanningOpen sourceAutomation

Pricing: Arcjet vs OWASP ZAP

PlanArcjetOWASP ZAP
Tier 1
$25/mo
Individual
Free
Free
Tier 2
$299/mo
Startup
N/A
Tier 3
Custom
Enterprise
N/A

Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Arcjet pricing and OWASP ZAP pricing.

Who Should Use What?

On a budget?

OWASP ZAP is free. Arcjet is paid.

Go with: OWASP ZAP

Want the highest-rated option?

Arcjet: 4.6/5 (16 reviews). OWASP ZAP: 4.7/5 (14 reviews).

Go with: OWASP ZAP

Value user reviews?

Arcjet: 16 reviews (4.6/5). OWASP ZAP: 14 reviews (4.7/5).

Go with: Arcjet

3 Questions to Help You Decide

1

What's your budget?

Arcjet is paid. OWASP ZAP is free. Go with OWASP ZAP if free matters most.

2

What's your use case?

Both are security tools. Compare their specific features to decide.

3

How important are ratings?

OWASP ZAP is rated higher: 4.7/5 vs 4.6/5.

Key Takeaways

OWASP ZAP

  • Higher user rating: 4.7/5 vs 4.6/5
  • Completely free
  • Our pick for this comparison

Arcjet

  • Larger review base (16 reviews)

The Bottom Line

OWASP ZAP wins this matchup. 1Password is our overall Security pick. LastPass is our free Security pick.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Arcjet or OWASP ZAP better?

OWASP ZAP is rated in our evaluation. Arcjet is paid and OWASP ZAP is free.

What are Arcjet and OWASP ZAP used for?

Arcjet: Real-time AI agent security and policy enforcement. OWASP ZAP: Open-source web application security scanner.

What does Arcjet cost vs OWASP ZAP?

Arcjet is a paid tool. OWASP ZAP is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.

Related Comparisons & Resources

Arcjet AlternativesOWASP ZAP AlternativesArcjet Full ReviewOWASP ZAP Full Review
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