Acunetix Alternative
Panoptic Scans Versus Acunetix
Smarter Scanning,
Simpler Pricing
Get comprehensive web and network vulnerability scanning with attack narratives, cloud-native delivery, and pricing that starts at $25/month.
Comparison
Panoptic Scans vs Acunetix
Acunetix is a well-known web application vulnerability scanner with strong DAST capabilities and some network scanning features. Panoptic Scans offers a cloud-native alternative with deeper vulnerability context through attack narratives, comprehensive network scanning powered by OpenVAS, and transparent pricing that starts at $25/month.
Why Choose Panoptic Scans?
1. Context-Rich Attack Narratives
Panoptic Scans provides detailed attack narratives that explain how each vulnerability can be exploited, giving your team actionable intelligence to prioritize remediation effectively.
2. Transparent & Affordable Pricing
Acunetix charges per-website licensing starting at several thousand dollars per year. Panoptic Scans starts at just $25/month with all scanning capabilities included and no per-target surcharges.
3. 100% Cloud-Native
Acunetix requires on-premise installation for its standard edition. Panoptic Scans runs entirely in the cloud - sign up and start scanning in minutes without downloading or configuring anything.
4. Compliance-Ready Reports
Purpose-built reports aligned with SOC 2, HIPAA, and other compliance frameworks. Export as PDF, CSV, or HTML - ready for auditors, executives, and stakeholders without additional formatting.
5. Modern, Intuitive Interface
A clean, streamlined dashboard designed for clarity. Security teams, compliance managers, and MSPs can navigate findings, run scans, and generate reports without a steep learning curve.
6. Deep Network Scanning with OpenVAS
While Acunetix includes basic network scanning, Panoptic Scans leverages the full power of OpenVAS for comprehensive network vulnerability assessment alongside Nuclei for template-based detection.
Features
Feature Comparison
See how Panoptic Scans stacks up against Acunetix across the features that matter most.
| Feature | Panoptic Scans | Acunetix |
|---|---|---|
| Detailed Attack Narratives |
Context-rich narratives explaining how each vulnerability can be exploited
|
Technical descriptions with fix recommendations but no exploit narratives
|
| Network Vulnerability Scanning |
OpenVAS & Nuclei powered scanning (external & internal)
|
Basic network scanning via OpenVAS integration, limited depth
|
| Web Application Scanning (DAST) |
ZAP powered DAST scanning (unauthenticated & authenticated)
|
Proprietary DAST engine with DeepScan JavaScript crawling
|
| Port Scanning |
Nmap powered port discovery
|
Network scanning includes port detection
|
| Pricing Model |
Plans from $25/month, publicly listed
|
Per-website licensing, starting at ~$4,500/year
|
| Deployment |
100% cloud-native, scan within minutes
|
On-premise installation or cloud option at higher cost
|
| User Interface |
Modern, streamlined and beginner-friendly
|
Desktop-style interface with detailed configuration
|
| Compliance Reports (SOC 2, HIPAA) |
Audit-ready PDF, CSV, and HTML exports
|
OWASP, PCI DSS, HIPAA compliance reports
|
| Cloud-Native Platform |
Cloud-native with optional self-hosted internal scanning
|
Primarily on-premise; online version available at premium pricing
|
| REST API |
Full REST API for automation
|
REST API with CI/CD integrations
|
| Scheduled & Continuous Scanning |
Automated scheduling with notifications
|
Scheduled and recurring scans
|
Key Advantages
What Sets Panoptic Scans Apart
Attack Narratives
Go beyond raw scan output. Panoptic Scans explains how vulnerabilities can be chained and exploited, helping your team prioritize what actually matters.
Better Value
Enterprise-grade vulnerability scanning starting at $25/month. No per-website licensing, no annual lock-in.
Compliance Ready
Generate audit-ready reports for SOC 2, HIPAA, and other frameworks. Structured, professional, and exportable in multiple formats.
Use Cases
Vulnerability Management for Every Team
External & Internal Vulnerability Scanning
Monitor your perimeter and internal infrastructure with continuous vulnerability assessments powered by OpenVAS, Nuclei, and Nmap. Scan external systems from the cloud, or internal networks via a self-hosted script.
Learn more →Web Application Security
DAST scanning with OWASP ZAP to identify XSS, SQL injection, and other web application vulnerabilities. Supports both unauthenticated and authenticated scans to test content behind login pages.
Learn more →SOC 2 Compliance Scanning
Meet your SOC 2 network vulnerability scanning requirements with automated, audit-ready reports covering both external and internal infrastructure.
Learn more →Attack Surface Monitoring
Keep track of your expanding attack surface with continuous monitoring of domains, IPs, and exposed services.
Learn more →MSP & MSSP Solutions
Manage vulnerability scanning across multiple clients with scalable, affordable plans designed for managed service providers.
Learn more →Vanta Integration
Seamlessly connect Panoptic Scans with Vanta to automate your compliance evidence collection and vulnerability management.
Learn more →Ready to Try Panoptic Scans?
Acunetix is a capable web vulnerability scanner, but if you want cloud-native delivery, deeper vulnerability context with attack narratives, and pricing that doesn't require per-website licensing, Panoptic Scans is your modern alternative. Start scanning in minutes with a free trial - no credit card required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Panoptic Scans a good alternative to Acunetix?
Yes. Panoptic Scans provides comprehensive vulnerability scanning including DAST web application testing and deep network vulnerability scanning at a fraction of Acunetix's per-website licensing cost. With attack narratives, compliance-ready reports, and plans from $25/month, it's ideal for teams looking for broader coverage at a lower price point.
Does Panoptic Scans offer DAST scanning like Acunetix?
Yes. Panoptic Scans includes DAST web application scanning powered by OWASP ZAP, supporting both unauthenticated and authenticated scans. While Acunetix uses a proprietary engine with DeepScan crawling technology, Panoptic Scans leverages the widely-trusted ZAP scanner and adds detailed attack narratives for deeper context.
How does pricing compare between Panoptic Scans and Acunetix?
Panoptic Scans starts at $25/month with transparent, publicly listed pricing and all scanning types included. Acunetix uses per-website annual licensing starting at approximately $4,500/year, with costs increasing for each additional target. Panoptic Scans offers month-to-month billing with no long-term commitment.
Do I need to install anything to use Panoptic Scans?
No. Unlike Acunetix's standard edition which requires local installation, Panoptic Scans is 100% cloud-native. Sign up and launch your first scan within minutes. For internal network scanning, a lightweight self-hosted script is available - no full scanner installation needed.
Can I use Panoptic Scans for SOC 2 compliance?
Absolutely. Panoptic Scans generates audit-ready vulnerability reports that satisfy SOC 2 network vulnerability scanning requirements for both external and internal infrastructure. Reports can be exported as PDF, CSV, or HTML and shared directly with auditors.