Alternatives to Akto at Series B/C companies

Organizations scaling API surface area need tools that integrate into existing workflows without requiring code changes. The available approaches include agent-based scanners, runtime protection platforms, and black-box assessment solutions. Each option differs in deployment model, required permissions, and the level of access needed to test applications. Choosing a path that does not depend on specific languages or frameworks helps teams evaluate vendors on detection coverage and reporting clarity rather than integration complexity.

middleBrick is a self-service API security scanner that operates as a black-box solution. You submit a URL and receive a risk score graded A through F with prioritized findings. The scanner uses only read-only methods such as GET and HEAD, plus text-only POST for LLM probes, which means it does not modify systems or require agents, SDKs, or build pipeline changes. It supports any language, framework, or cloud environment and completes most scans in under a minute.

The scanner covers 12 security categories aligned to OWASP API Top 10 (2023), including authentication bypass, JWT misconfigurations such as alg=none or expired tokens, BOLA and IDOR via sequential ID probing, and sensitive data exposure like PII, API keys, and error leakage. It also detects CORS misconfigurations, unsafe HTTP methods, SSRF indicators in URL and body fields, and LLM-specific adversarial probes across Quick, Standard, and Deep scan tiers. Findings map to compliance frameworks such as PCI-DSS 4.0, SOC 2 Type II, and OWASP API Top 10 (2023), helping you prepare for audit evidence and validate controls without claiming certification.

Authenticated scanning is available from the Starter tier onward, supporting Bearer tokens, API keys, Basic auth, and cookies. Access requires domain verification via DNS TXT records or an HTTP well-known file, ensuring only the domain owner can scan with credentials. The scanner forwards a strict allowlist of headers, including Authorization, X-API-Key, Cookie, and X-Custom-* headers. All testing is read-only, with destructive payloads never sent, and private IPs, localhost, and cloud metadata endpoints blocked at multiple layers. Customer data is deletable on demand and never used for model training.

The platform provides multiple integration options including a Web Dashboard for scan management and score trend tracking, a CLI via the middlebrick npm package for on-demand scans, and a GitHub Action that can fail CI/CD builds when scores drop below a set threshold. An MCP Server enables scanning from AI coding assistants, and an API client supports custom integrations. The Free tier allows three scans per month with CLI access, Starter adds dashboard and email alerts for 15 APIs, Pro adds continuous monitoring and CI/CD gates for up to 100 APIs, and Enterprise offers unlimited APIs with custom rules and SSO. Note that the tool detects issues and provides remediation guidance but does not fix, patch, block, or remediate findings, and it does not replace a human pentester for high-stakes audits.