Top 10 API Security Platforms: Features, Pros, Cons & Comparison

Introduction

An API Security Platform is a special type of software designed to protect the “connectors” of the digital world. APIs, which stands for Application Programming Interfaces, are the bridges that allow different computer programs to talk to each other. For example, when you use a travel app to book a flight, an API is what sends your information to the airline’s system. Because these bridges carry very sensitive data like credit card numbers, home addresses, and private passwords, they are a favorite target for people trying to steal information. An API security platform acts like a smart guard that watches these bridges every second to make sure only the right people are using them and that no one is trying to break in.

Using these platforms is very important because traditional security tools often miss the tricks that hackers use on APIs. A regular “wall” around a website might not notice if someone is slowly stealing a little bit of data at a time through an API. Key real-world uses include preventing “shadow APIs”—which are old or forgotten connectors that nobody is watching—and stopping automated bots from trying to guess passwords thousands of times a minute. When choosing a tool, you should look for how well it finds all your APIs, how clearly it explains a problem, and if it can stop a hack while it is happening.

Best for: These tools are most helpful for security engineers, software developers, and IT managers. They are a must-have for companies in banking, online shopping, and healthcare that handle lots of customer data. Large businesses with hundreds of different apps will find them especially useful.

Not ideal for: Small teams that only have one simple website with no special features likely do not need a full API security platform. If you are not sharing data between different systems or apps, basic website security is usually enough and much cheaper.

Top 10 API Security Platforms Tools

1 — Salt Security

Salt Security is a platform that focuses on using smart software to understand how your APIs normally behave so it can spot when something looks wrong. It is designed to work across your whole system to find every single API you have, even the ones you forgot about.

• Key features:
  • Automatically finds and lists every API in your network without you needing to tell it where they are.
  • Learns the “normal” way people use your APIs to find sneaky hackers.
  • Provides a clear map of where your sensitive data is moving.
  • Gives developers specific advice on how to fix a security hole in their code.
  • Works during the building, testing, and live stages of an app.
  • Can stop a person from stealing data as soon as they start acting strangely.
  • Keeps a very long history of activity so you can look back at past problems.
• Pros:
  • It is very good at finding “logic attacks,” which are tricks that don’t look like normal viruses.
  • It does not slow down your apps because it watches from the side rather than sitting in the middle.
• Cons:
  • It can be a bit expensive for teams that are just starting out.
  • Some users find that it takes a little while for the software to “learn” their system perfectly.
• Security & compliance: Highly secure with SOC 2 Type II compliance and strong encryption for all stored data.
• Support & community: Offers professional customer support and a library of guides. There is a solid group of users who share best practices online.

2 — Noname Security (by Akamai)

Noname Security is a very thorough platform that looks at everything from how your code is written to how your live servers are set up. It is built to give you a “top-down” view of every possible way a hacker could get in through an API.

• Key features:
  • Checks your API settings to make sure you didn’t accidentally leave a door open.
  • Scans the code while it is being written to find mistakes before they go live.
  • Finds APIs that are not using a password when they should be.
  • Groups your APIs by how much risk they carry.
  • Can automatically turn off a dangerous API if it detects a major attack.
  • Works with all major cloud providers and local server systems.
  • Provides very detailed reports for bosses and legal teams.
• Pros:
  • It is one of the best tools for finding “hidden” settings that are unsafe.
  • The way it groups risks makes it easy to know what to fix first.
• Cons:
  • Because it does so many things, the dashboard can feel a bit overwhelming at first.
  • It requires a good bit of technical knowledge to get the most out of the advanced features.
• Security & compliance: Compliant with major rules like GDPR and HIPAA; provides full audit logs of every action taken.
• Support & community: Extensive documentation and 24/7 support for large businesses. It has a growing community of security experts.

3 — Traceable AI

Traceable AI focuses on the “path” that data takes through your apps. It looks at how a user moves from one part of your app to another to make sure they aren’t trying to do things they aren’t allowed to do.

• Key features:
  • Traces every single request from the user all the way to the database.
  • Identifies specific users who are acting like hackers.
  • Blocks known bad actors and suspicious computer programs automatically.
  • Shows you exactly which part of your code is responsible for a security leak.
  • Helps you test your APIs by trying to “hack” them in a safe way.
  • Provides a search tool to look through millions of API calls in seconds.
  • Integrates with the tools developers already use to talk to each other.
• Pros:
  • It gives a very deep look into the “context” of an attack, not just the attack itself.
  • It is excellent for finding “insider threats” where someone with a real password is doing something bad.
• Cons:
  • Setting up the “tracing” part can be a bit more work than simpler tools.
  • It can produce a lot of data, which might be too much for a very small team to manage.
• Security & compliance: Uses strong encryption and follows SOC 2 standards. Compliance reports are easy to generate.
• Support & community: Very helpful onboarding and a strong focus on educating their users through webinars and guides.

4 — Cequence Security

Cequence Security is a specialist when it comes to stopping bots. Many API problems come from automated programs trying to break in, and this tool is built to tell the difference between a real human and a computer program.

• Key features:
  • Uses “fingerprinting” to identify bad bots even if they try to hide.
  • Stops “account takeover” attacks where bots try to guess passwords.
  • Does not require you to change your code to start using it.
  • Finds all public-facing APIs that a hacker could see from the internet.
  • Blocks “scraping,” which is when a bot steals all the prices or info from your site.
  • Works across web apps, mobile apps, and hidden APIs.
  • Provides a clear view of how much of your traffic is actually real people.
• Pros:
  • It is perhaps the best tool on this list for stopping large-scale bot attacks.
  • It is very easy to turn on because it doesn’t need “agents” installed on every server.
• Cons:
  • It focuses more on bots and less on finding mistakes in your actual code.
  • The price can go up quickly if you have a massive amount of bot traffic.
• Security & compliance: Fully compliant with global privacy laws; includes SSO and detailed audit trails.
• Support & community: Dedicated support teams for enterprise clients and very clear technical manuals.

5 — 42Crunch

42Crunch is a platform that believes the best way to be safe is to write perfect code from the start. It is designed to sit right inside the tools that developers use to write their programs, acting like a very smart “spell checker” for security.

• Key features:
  • Scores your API design from 0 to 100 based on how safe it is.
  • Automatically creates a “security contract” that the API must follow.
  • Blocks any request that does not perfectly match the rules you set.
  • Scans for security holes every single time a developer saves their work.
  • Provides a “firewall” specifically for APIs that is very lightweight.
  • Helps you follow the “OWASP” list of top security risks.
  • Makes it easy to share security rules across a whole company.
• Pros:
  • It helps fix problems before they are ever even “born” in the live app.
  • It is very cheap and efficient because it stops attacks at the very front door.
• Cons:
  • It requires developers to change the way they work, which some might not like.
  • If your rules are too strict, you might accidentally block real users.
• Security & compliance: Encourages “Security by Design”; provides audit logs and is SOC 2 compliant.
• Support & community: Excellent documentation for developers and a very active presence in the API world.

6 — Imperva API Security

Imperva is a big name in internet safety, and their API tool is part of a larger system that protects websites. It is a great choice for companies that want one big “shield” to protect everything at once.

• Key features:
  • Automatically finds and protects new APIs as soon as they are turned on.
  • Works with the Imperva “Web Application Firewall” to block bad traffic.
  • Scans all incoming data to make sure no one is trying to “inject” a virus.
  • Provides a single dashboard for both your website and your APIs.
  • Uses a global network to stop attacks before they even reach your servers.
  • Offers a way to “mask” or hide sensitive data so hackers can’t see it.
  • Helps you follow strict rules for banking and health data.
• Pros:
  • It is very convenient if you already use Imperva to protect your website.
  • It is a very stable and trusted platform used by many of the world’s biggest companies.
• Cons:
  • It can feel a bit “heavy” and complex for a team that only cares about APIs.
  • Some of the more advanced API features require buying the most expensive plan.
• Security & compliance: Top-tier compliance with PCI-DSS, HIPAA, and GDPR; includes full enterprise security features.
• Support & community: 24/7 global support and a massive community of IT professionals.

7 — Wallarm

Wallarm is a modern platform that combines API security with testing. It is built for teams that move fast and want a tool that can keep up with daily changes to their software.

• Key features:
  • Uses “libdetection” technology to find attacks without making mistakes.
  • Automatically creates tests to see if your API is actually safe.
  • Works perfectly with modern “cloud-native” systems like Kubernetes.
  • Blocks attacks in real-time without needing a human to click anything.
  • Finds “zombie APIs,” which are old versions of your software that should be turned off.
  • Provides a very clean and simple list of what you need to fix.
  • Can be set up in just a few minutes in many cases.
• Pros:
  • It has very few “false alarms,” meaning it doesn’t bother you unless there is a real problem.
  • It is very flexible and works well with many different types of computer setups.
• Cons:
  • The reporting features are not quite as deep as some of the other enterprise tools.
  • It is more focused on the technical side, so it might be harder for business bosses to read.
• Security & compliance: SOC 2 Type II compliant; provides secure audit logs and encryption.
• Support & community: Good technical support and a very active blog with helpful security tips.

8 — Postman (Security Features)

Postman is the most famous tool in the world for building APIs. While it is not a “shield” for a live website, it has very powerful tools to help you test and find security problems while you are still building your app.

• Key features:
  • Allows you to write automated tests to check for security holes.
  • Scans your API documentation to make sure you aren’t leaking secrets.
  • Helps you manage passwords and “keys” so they don’t get stolen.
  • Provides a “Governance” tool to make sure every API follows company rules.
  • Allows teams to work together in a safe space to find bugs.
  • Can be used to “mock” or pretend to be an API to test security safely.
  • Includes a library of thousands of pre-made security tests.
• Pros:
  • Almost every developer already knows how to use it, so there is nothing new to learn.
  • It is the best tool for making sure your APIs are safe before you ever turn them on.
• Cons:
  • It does not protect a live website from a real-time attack.
  • You have to manually set up many of the security tests yourself.
• Security & compliance: Offers SSO, user permissions, and is compliant with standard data rules.
• Support & community: The largest API community in the world with millions of users and endless help online.

9 — Apigee (by Google Cloud)

Apigee is a massive platform for managing APIs. It is more than just security; it helps you build, share, and even sell your APIs. The security part is built directly into the heart of the system.

• Key features:
  • Provides a “gatekeeper” that checks every person trying to use your API.
  • Limits how many times someone can use an API so they don’t crash it.
  • Uses Google’s smart technology to find and block suspicious traffic.
  • Can hide the “ugly” parts of your old systems behind a safe, modern API.
  • Provides a portal where you can safely share your APIs with other companies.
  • Includes very deep charts and graphs about how your APIs are used.
  • Works perfectly with anything else you have running on Google Cloud.
• Pros:
  • It is extremely powerful and can handle the needs of the biggest companies on Earth.
  • It combines “management” and “security” into one single tool.
• Cons:
  • It is very complex and takes a long time to learn how to use it all.
  • It can be very expensive once you start using it for a lot of traffic.
• Security & compliance: Benefits from Google’s global security standards; fully compliant with almost every major rule.
• Support & community: World-class support from Google and a huge network of professional consultants.

10 — Akamai API Security

Akamai is one of the oldest and biggest companies that makes the internet work. Their API security tool uses their massive global network to watch how APIs are used all over the planet to find new ways that hackers are trying to get in.

• Key features:
  • Watches the “behavior” of millions of users to find hidden patterns.
  • Does not require you to install any software on your own servers.
  • Can find APIs that are hiding behind other websites.
  • Blocks attacks far away from your server, so your app stays fast.
  • Provides a “risk score” for every single API you own.
  • Helps you find where your private customer data is being shared.
  • Works with your existing security “wall” to provide extra protection.
• Pros:
  • It can see attacks coming from miles away because it sees so much of the internet’s traffic.
  • It is very easy for a big company to turn on without bothering their developers.
• Cons:
  • It can be a “black box,” meaning it can be hard to see exactly how it made a decision.
  • It is a premium tool designed for companies with a large budget.
• Security & compliance: Top-tier security with every major certification; excellent for banking and government use.
• Support & community: Full enterprise support and a very deep pool of technical knowledge.

Comparison Table

Evaluation & Scoring of API Security Platforms

We have scored these tools based on what matters most to a business. Each category is weighted to show its importance in a real-world setting.

Which API Security Platforms Tool Is Right for You?

Choosing the right tool is a big decision that depends on your team, your budget, and what you are building.

Solo Users vs SMB vs Mid-Market vs Enterprise

If you are working alone or in a very small team (SMB), you should start with Postman. It helps you build things safely without costing a lot of money. For mid-sized companies that are growing fast, Wallarm or 42Crunch are great because they are easy to set up. If you are a giant company (Enterprise) with thousands of employees, you need the heavy power of Salt Security, Noname, or Apigee to keep everything organized.

Budget-conscious vs Premium Solutions

If you have a very small budget, use the security features inside Postman or try the free versions of 42Crunch. If you have a larger budget and want to buy the best protection available, Salt Security and Akamai are premium choices that offer the most peace of mind.

Feature Depth vs Ease of Use

If you want to understand every single detail about how your data moves, Traceable AI has the most depth. However, if you want something that you can just “turn on and forget,” Cequence Security or Akamai are much easier because they don’t require you to change your code.

Integration and Scalability Needs

If you use Google Cloud for everything, Apigee is the natural choice. If you use a lot of different cloud systems and want one tool to rule them all, Noname Security or Salt Security are the best at scaling across many different environments.

Security and Compliance Requirements

If you work in a bank or a hospital and need to follow strict laws, Imperva and Noname Security are excellent. They provide the very detailed reports and audit logs that government inspectors want to see.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the difference between a normal firewall and API security?

A normal firewall is like a fence around your whole house. API security is like a smart lock on a specific door that checks exactly who is coming in and what they are carrying.

2. Can I use these tools with my existing website?

Yes. Most of these tools are designed to work with what you already have. Some sit “to the side” and watch traffic, while others act like a gateway that traffic flows through.

3. Do I need to be a coder to use an API security platform?

For some tools like 42Crunch, yes, it helps to know code. But for many others like Salt or Cequence, you just need to know how to read a dashboard and follow simple instructions.

4. Will these tools slow down my mobile app or website?

Most modern tools are built to be very fast. Many of them watch a “copy” of the traffic, so they don’t slow down the real users at all.

5. How much do these platforms usually cost?

The price is usually based on how much traffic your APIs get or how many different APIs you have. It can range from a few hundred dollars to thousands per month.

6. Can these tools find APIs I didn’t know I had?

Yes! This is one of the best features of tools like Salt and Noname. they can find “shadow APIs” that were left behind by old projects or forgotten by developers.

7. Are these tools safe for my customers’ privacy?

Yes. These tools are built to protect privacy. Many of them can even hide sensitive info so that even the security tool itself can’t see the real data.

8. Which tool is the best for stopping bots?

Cequence Security is a top specialist in this area. It is very good at telling the difference between a real human and an automated bot trying to steal data.

9. Can I use these tools if I only have a few APIs?

You can, but it might be overkill. If you only have a few, using a testing tool like Postman to make sure they are solid might be enough for now.

10. What is the biggest mistake people make with API security?

The biggest mistake is thinking that if your website is safe, your APIs are also safe. Hackers often ignore the website and go straight for the API because it is less protected.

Conclusion

In simple terms, there is no single “best” API security platform for everyone. The digital world is too big and diverse for one tool to fit every need. If you are a developer looking to build safe things from the start, 42Crunch and Postman are your best friends. If you are a security manager at a big company trying to find hidden risks, Salt Security and Noname will give you the most help.

The most important thing is to remember that APIs are the new front door to your business. Leaving them unprotected is like leaving your store’s back door wide open in the middle of the night. When picking a tool, look for one that your team will actually use and that fits into your current budget.

By taking the time to pick the right API security platform today, you are protecting your customers’ data and your company’s reputation for the long run. It is a small investment that provides a massive amount of safety in a world where hackers never sleep.