Top 10 API Security Tools in 2025

APIs are everywhere, driving your most critical data exchanges and powering every application, from IoT devices to mobile apps. However, they’re also quietly becoming one of your biggest security risks, as they provide direct access to data, backend systems, and critical functions – which has driven demand for API security tools.

Almost one-third of customer-facing APIs still lack HTTPS protection, even though 90% of web pages are secured with it. Many teams pour resources into securing data and applications but overlook APIs' unique security needs. 

With organizations now managing hundreds of APIs, fragmented management and inconsistent security open the door to severe risks that traditional approaches can’t handle. Thankfully, dedicated API security tools address the gaps that traditional methods leave behind.

Top 10 API Security Tools in 2025 at a Glance

1. Best overall API security tool in 2025: Jit
2. Best integrated, CI/CD-friendly security solution: 42Crunch
3. Best for large organizations with complex API ecosystems: Salt Security
4. Best ML-powered WAF with minimal maintenance: Open-appsec
5. Best for teams heavily invested in the AWS ecosystem: AWS WAF
6. Best API security tool for enterprise teams: Kong Gateway
7. Best tool for precise, low-noise API security insights: Semgrep
8. Best API security tool for Go developers: Gosec
9. Best tool for actionable OSS security: Spectral
10. Best for prioritizing and remedying exploitable API risks: Myrror

What are API Security Tools?

API (Application Programming Interface) security solutions include specialized tools and adaptable security practices that secure API endpoints, data flows, and interactions. Some tools specifically tackle API challenges like authentication, authorization, and real-time anomaly detection. In contrast, others are broader solutions adapted to catch API-specific issues like coding vulnerabilities and injections.

In practice, these tools embed security across every stage of the API lifecycle – from design and testing to deployment and production. They can catch misconfigurations, validate API calls, and prevent exploitation without burdening developers with manual checks. Many of these tools also integrate into DevOps pipelines, providing continuous visibility and automated DevOps protection – alongside other security practices – without slowing down development.



Types of API Security Tools

Securing APIs takes a layered approach, with each tool tackling a different type of threat. Here’s a quick rundown of the critical kinds of API security tools and what they do:

• API Linter Tools check your API designs and code against style guidelines and security best practices. They catch issues like inconsistent naming, missing rate limits, or insecure configurations early in development, enforcing clean, secure API standards.
• DAST (Dynamic Application Security Testing) Tools scan running applications, actively testing endpoints for security flaws, like SQL injections or cross-site scripting, by sending requests to the live API. They provide insights into real-world vulnerabilities that attackers might exploit in production.
• API Mapping Tools (or Enumeration Tools) catalog every endpoint in your APIs, often visualizing their connection. This “map” helps identify unused or unprotected endpoints, monitor changes, and catch shadow APIs that could create backdoors for attackers.
• WAF (Web Application Firewall) Tools protect your API by filtering malicious traffic, such as bot attacks or injection attempts, based on defined rules. These WAF features analyze incoming requests and block suspicious activity before it reaches your backend.
• API Gateways manage and secure traffic flow between clients and backend services, handling tasks like authentication, rate limiting, and traffic routing. They enforce policies that restrict API access, control load, and block unauthorized access.



• SAST (Static Application Security Testing) Tools scan code at rest, catching security issues during development. They analyze source code for vulnerabilities like hardcoded keys or insecure dependencies, stopping issues before they hit production.
• SCA (Software Composition Analysis) Tools identify third-party dependencies in your APIs and flag any with known vulnerabilities. They scan libraries, frameworks, and packages, helping keep your components up-to-date and safe from known exploits.

Key Features to Look For in API Security Tools

1. Real-time threat detection constantly scans for unusual patterns, like SQL injections or data scraping attempts, using machine learning to flag subtle anomalies. This feature helps you intercept attacks the moment they appear.

2. CI/CD integration allows security checks to run automatically in development and deployment workflows, catching vulnerabilities early without slowing down the pipeline.

3. Rate limiting protects your APIs from abuse by restricting request frequency. It is essential for blocking DoS attacks, bot activity, or credential stuffing. 



4. Fine-grained access controls allow you to set specific permissions for users or systems, enforcing least-privilege access to sensitive functions. This helps you build a zero-trust architecture, reducing exposure to insider threats or unauthorized access.

5. API traffic analysis gives you a clear view of your API usage, tracking request patterns, response times, and error rates. This feature helps you spot performance issues, unusual behavior, or misuse early on, offering insights into security and operational health. 

Top 10 API Security Tools in 2025



Benefits of API Security Tools

With the increasing complexity of API ecosystems, API security tools are crucial for maintaining a strong security posture. Key benefits include:

• Comprehensive API discovery and monitoring: These tools help you map and monitor every API endpoint, providing visibility into your entire API landscape. This allows you to identify and gain control over shadow APIs, legacy endpoints, and misconfigured permissions that could otherwise become hidden risks.
• Enhanced risk mitigation for interdependent APIs: As APIs become more interconnected, a breach in one can have a cascading effect. API security tools enforce precise access controls and continuously monitor traffic patterns across your API ecosystem to spot signs of abuse and prevent lateral movement of attacks.
• Streamlined compliance and audit readiness: With tightening regulations around data privacy (like GDPR and HIPAA), API security tools significantly streamline compliance efforts. They generate audit-ready logs and track access in real-time, reducing manual workload and building trust with clients and regulators.



Lock Down Your APIs Without Locking Up Your Workflow

APIs are essential to modern business but also have inherent risks that can leave your systems vulnerable. Securing these APIs requires the right tools that provide comprehensive visibility, proactive threat detection, and control across your entire API ecosystem. The right solution should secure your APIs and integrate seamlessly into your existing workflows to prevent security from becoming a bottleneck.

Jit’s Open ASPM platform simplifies API security management by integrating with industry-leading tools like OWASP ZAP, Semgrep, and KICS to detect vulnerabilities early, offering real-time fixes, automated vulnerability management, and streamlined security protocols. With Jit, you don’t have to choose between strong security and efficient workflows. Our solution provides robust API protection that complements and enhances your team’s productivity. Learn more here.