9 Best Static Application Security Testing (SAST) Tools For 2024

Overview

Check the Introduction – Making your apps secure for cyber front is like wearing a detective hat and taking up altogether a new role. Instead, why not hire a professional? SAST tools are your trusted detectives in the security domain – they check your code for weak spots before any hackers can creep in. This blog brings together the nine best SAST tools for 2024, helping you choose the right team to keep your apps safe and sound.

What is Static Application Security Testing (SAST)?

Static Application Security Testing (SAST) tests an application’s code to detect security threats without executing any code. Its aim is to uncover potential security breaches in coding which may pose a risk. It improves the chance of detecting security flaws when implemented in the development phase of a software.

You can read more on how SAST works along with its benefits and disadvantages and much more in our blog on All About Static Application Security Testing – SAST

What are SAST Tools?

Static Application Security Testing (SAST) tools are the vigilant guardians of your code. SAST tools meticulously inspect every detail and analyze your program before it goes live. Employing techniques like pattern matching and data flow analysis, they uncover and remedy vulnerabilities, ensuring your code remains robust against potential cyber threats. In essence, SAST tools act as indispensable protectors, fortifying your application and its users against the ever-evolving landscape of digital risks.

9 Best SAST Tools For 2024

GitHub:

GitHub is a combination of version control and social networking platform for developers. It enables developers to write, save, compile, and manage their codes. They can also share, communicate, and coordinate with other developers using this platform.  

Key Features

• Version control: GitHub offers version control, which not only lets developers track changes in the code but also helps them manage different versions effectively.
• Collaborative Tools: Robust features such as pull requests make code review, bug tracking, and collaboration tasks easy, resulting in efficient and confident contributions from the team members.
• Automation with Actions: GitHub Action allows workflow automation, which streamlines the continuous integration process and boosts overall development efficiency.

SonarSource

SonarSource is a software company on a mission to ensure the health and security of the world’s code. They’re like the galactic sanitation engineers of the software universe, constantly scanning and cleaning up codebases to eliminate vulnerabilities and promote quality.

Key Features

• Holistic Code Analysis: SonarSource conducts comprehensive code assessments across various programming languages, ensuring a thorough examination.
• Intelligent Issue Detection: The platform identifies and highlights code issues, offering context-specific recommendations for prompt remediation.
• DevOps Integration: Seamless integration into continuous integration and DevOps pipelines enables immediate feedback, fostering a proactive approach to software quality within the development workflow. This aids in early issue identification and resolution, minimizing the risk of defects and vulnerabilities in production.

New Relic

New Relic, an observability platform, enhances software development by allowing data integration from diverse sources for comprehensive system understanding. Its extensive capabilities empower users to analyse data efficiently and address potential incidents before they escalate. Despite its advanced features, New Relic offers a user-friendly onboarding with a simple three-step procedure. As a monitoring tool, it tracks web application performance metrics, facilitating quick issue identification for efficient troubleshooting and potential cost savings in site maintenance.

Dynatrace

Dynatrace transcends traditional monitoring tools, functioning as a cognitive co-pilot with advanced AI. It offers a comprehensive view of your cloud application ecosystem, unravelling complexities in microservices and Kubernetes. Beyond data collection, Dynatrace’s real-time intelligence anticipates issues through precise analysis, acting as a sentinel to predict and prevent disruptions. Like a software detective, it delves deep into code, uncovering root causes of performance bottlenecks and errors for a proactive and thorough approach.

DeepSource

DeepSource goes beyond traditional SAST tools, offering a comprehensive approach to code health. It utilises advanced techniques like data flow analysis, addressing not only security flaws but also code smells and performance bottlenecks. Supporting 30+ languages, its AI-powered engine prioritises findings, streamlining your workflow. Seamlessly integrated with CI/CD pipelines, DeepSource proactively analyses code at each stage, preventing vulnerabilities. In addition to finding bugs, it offers a thorough analysis of the code that helps developers monitor and enhance the code quality. Visual elements of the analysis report lets them understand the security loopholes in their code and aids in improved collaboration with security professional.

Mend SAST

Mend SAST integrates security seamlessly into the fast-paced realm of modern software development. Beyond surface scans, it employs pattern matching, data flow, and taint analysis to unveil vulnerabilities, code smells, and performance issues early on. The user-friendly interface helps developers deal with security concerns before they hit hard. It helps in better communication and a sense of shared responsibility between developers and security professionals, eventually resulting in sturdy and secure applications without compromising DevOps efficiency.

StackHawk

StackHawk revolutionizes application security by seamlessly integrating with developer workflows. Unlike traditional DAST tools, it prioritizes developer-driven security with a lightweight API and web app testing directly in CI/CD pipelines. This proactive approach empowers developers to detect and address vulnerabilities before reaching production, minimizing security risks. StackHawk’s advanced capabilities extend to in-depth API and microservice testing, ensuring comprehensive security coverage for modern application architectures.

Codiga

Codiga, a code health guardian, seamlessly integrates into workflows, offering dynamic code analysis. Operating in real-time, it acts as a vigilant eye, detecting bugs, security issues, and performance bottlenecks before they escalate. Not just an identifier, Codiga guides with actionable insights, empowering efficient issue resolution. With automated integration into CI/CD pipelines, it ensures continuous code health, allowing secure and high-performing applications to confidently progress to production, saving time and preventing user impact.

Nexus Lifecycle

Nexus Lifecycle safeguards your software supply chain in today’s interconnected landscape. Going beyond typical dependency management, it utilises policy enforcement and risk analysis to scrutinise components for vulnerabilities, licence conflicts, and security threats. This holistic approach reveals hidden risks within your software’s DNA, empowering you to proactively address potential compromises and build secure and reliable applications with confidence.

How DevTools can help you integrate SAST tools in the best way possible?

DevTools plays a pivotal role in seamlessly integrating Static Application Security Testing (SAST) into your development workflow. By offering real-time feedback and automated scans, it streamlines the identification of vulnerabilities. The integration enables developers to receive instant insights during coding, ensuring security is an integral part of the process. With a user-friendly interface and actionable insights, DevTools facilitates efficient issue resolution, making it an essential ally in crafting secure software with a natural and professional workflow.

Conclusion

Integrating SAST tools into your development process via DevTools goes beyond patching security gaps—it fosters a culture of awareness and proactive defense. Acting as a bridge, DevTools seamlessly blends security into your workflow, granting developers ownership of their code’s health and enabling security professionals to provide guidance. The outcome? Streamlined development, elevated code quality, and software confidently resilient to emerging threats. Embrace the synergy of DevTools and SAST, and witness your applications ascend securely into the digital realm.