OWASP ZAP vs Burp Suite: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between OWASP ZAP and Burp Suite 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.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
OWASP ZAP
Open-source web application security scanner
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • You need testing & qa features specifically
- • OWASP ZAP is a free security testing tool for finding web application vulnerabilities
- • It scans for security issues with automated and manual testing capabilities
Burp Suite
Web security testing toolkit for penetration testers
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.8/10 vs 8.5/10)
- • You need browser devtools features specifically
- • Burp Suite is the industry-standard tool for web application security testing
- • It provides automated scanning and manual testing tools for finding vulnerabilities
| At a Glance |  OWASP ZAP |  Burp Suite |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free | Paid |
Best For | Testing & QA | Browser DevTools |
Rating | 85/100 | 88/100 |
| Feature | OWASP ZAP | Burp Suite |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Paid |
| Editorial Score | 85 | 88 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Testing & QABrowser DevTools | Browser DevToolsBug Tracking |
How OWASP ZAP and Burp Suite Compare
OWASP ZAP
Open-source web application security scanner
Free · 85/100 score
Burp Suite
Web security testing toolkit for penetration testers
Paid · 88/100 score
OWASP ZAP is a testing & qa tool. Burp Suite is in browser devtools.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
OWASP ZAP is free. Burp Suite is paid.
Go with: OWASP ZAP
Want the highest-rated option?
OWASP ZAP: 85/100. Burp Suite: 88/100.
Go with: Burp Suite
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Burp Suite
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
OWASP ZAP is free. Burp Suite is paid. Go with OWASP ZAP if free matters most.
What's your use case?
OWASP ZAP is a testing & qa tool. Burp Suite is in browser devtools. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Burp Suite scores higher: 88/100 vs 85/100.
Key Takeaways
Burp Suite
- Higher score: 88/100 vs 85
- Our pick for this comparison
OWASP ZAP
- Completely free
- Better fit for testing & qa
The Bottom Line
Burp Suite (88/100) is our pick. That said, OWASP ZAP is free — hard to beat on price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is OWASP ZAP or Burp Suite better?
Burp Suite scores 88/100 in our evaluation. OWASP ZAP is free and Burp Suite is paid.
What are OWASP ZAP and Burp Suite used for?
OWASP ZAP: Open-source web application security scanner. Burp Suite: Web security testing toolkit for penetration testers.
What does OWASP ZAP cost vs Burp Suite?
OWASP ZAP is completely free. Burp Suite is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.