NightVision vs. StackHawk
StackHawk helped popularize developer-first DAST. NightVision goes further on the hardest part, your undocumented attack surface, with generally-available source-based API discovery across the most widely used backend languages, run locally with deterministic static analysis (no LLM).
Two developer-first DAST tools. One critical difference.
These are two different tools built for two different worlds. The question isn't which one is better; it's which one fits where you actually are.
Where StackHawk excels
StackHawk is a developer-first DAST. It's CI/CD-native, configuration lives in code, and its OpenAPI-driven scanning is fast and well-documented. If your APIs are fully documented with accurate, current OpenAPI specs, it covers them.
Where NightVision goes further
NightVision's API eNVy™ is generally available across the most widely used backend languages and runs locally with deterministic static analysis, no LLM and no code leaving your environment. StackHawk's source-based generation is limited to a handful of frameworks in Alpha/Beta, on the Enterprise plan, and runs your source through LLM services. So the 70-90% of REST APIs that go undocumented get discovered and tested instead of skipped.
NightVision vs. StackHawk: feature breakdown
A direct comparison across the dimensions that matter most for modern application security programs.
| Capability | NightVision | StackHawk |
|---|---|---|
| CI/CD-native integration | ✅ Native: GitHub Actions, GitLab, Jenkins, Azure DevOps | ✅ Native, strong CI/CD story |
| Source-based OpenAPI generation | ✅ Generally available: 7 languages, local & deterministic (no LLM) | ⚠️ Limited: Alpha/Beta, ~5 frameworks, Enterprise plan, LLM-based |
| Undocumented / shadow API discovery | ✅ Automatic, from source across 7 languages (GA) | ⚠️ Limited framework coverage (Alpha/Beta source-gen) |
| Source analyzed locally (no LLM, code never uploaded) | ✅ Deterministic static analysis in your CLI/CI | ❌ Source processed by LLM services |
| Average scan time | ✅ 10-15 minutes per app or API | ✅ Fast for spec-defined scope |
| Findings pinpointed to code line | ✅ Exact file path and line number (static + dynamic) | ⚠️ Request-level findings; manual code tracing |
| Private network scanning | ✅ Smart proxy, zero infrastructure changes | ⚠️ Runs in your pipeline; scanner placement is on you |
| Web app (browser) scanning | ✅ Full web app + API scanning | ⚠️ API-centric; browser-based app coverage is limited |
| AI-assisted remediation | ✅ Contextual AI explanations per finding | ❌ Not included |
| False positive approach | ✅ Evidence-based, validated findings only | ⚠️ Tunable, but validation is manual |
| SOC 2 Type II | ✅ AICPA SOC 2 | ✅ Yes |
| Free tier | ✅ Free 3-day trial, no card required | ✅ Free tier available |
| Pricing | ✅ From $15,000/year (Single Application), transparent | ⚠️ Per-app pricing; grows quickly with app count |
What NightVision does that StackHawk can't
These aren't feature checkboxes. They're the reasons security teams running CI/CD at scale are making the switch.
Broader, GA source discovery
NightVision's API eNVy™ is generally available across the most widely used backend languages and builds the spec in under 20 seconds, covering the 70-90% of endpoints that were never documented. StackHawk's source-based generation is limited to a handful of frameworks in Alpha/Beta on its Enterprise plan.
Local and deterministic, no LLM
API eNVy™ reads your framework's routing model with static analysis that runs locally; your source never leaves your environment, unlike approaches that send your code to LLM services.
Your whole attack surface, not your documented one
Shadow APIs, legacy routes, endpoints shipped without Swagger updates: NightVision discovers and tests them all automatically.
Line-of-code precision
Findings are tied to the exact file and line, not just the request that triggered them. Developers fix issues without detective work.
Web apps and APIs together
NightVision scans browser-based web applications and APIs in one platform, no separate tooling for each.
Private networks, zero changes
The smart proxy reaches private-network apps without agents or routing changes.
AI-assisted remediation
Every finding ships with contextual AI explanation, what it is, why it matters, where to fix it.
The honest answer: it depends on your workflow.
✅ Choose NightVision when…
- You ship code daily and need security testing in every PR
- Your API surface includes undocumented or shadow APIs
- You want developers to run scans without a security engineer present
- You need to scan private-network apps without infrastructure changes
- You want findings tied to exact lines of code
- You need scalable, predictable pricing
- Your OpenAPI specs are incomplete, stale, or nonexistent
Consider StackHawk when…
- Your APIs are fully and accurately documented with current OpenAPI specs
- You only need API scanning (no browser-based web app coverage)
- You've already invested heavily in StackHawk configuration-as-code
- Your team prefers per-app pricing for a small, fixed set of services
"We won an award at our company's internal hackathon for demonstrating developer teams executing a DAST scan on a web app in eight minutes from start to finish during build time, with tickets opened automatically with Engineering."Steve McKinnon · Senior Application Security Engineer, BeyondTrust
Common questions about switching from StackHawk
How does NightVision handle APIs that don't have an OpenAPI spec?
Both tools can generate a spec from source, but the depth differs. NightVision's API eNVy™ is generally available across the most widely used backend languages, runs locally with deterministic static analysis so your code never leaves your environment, and generates the spec in seconds. StackHawk's source-based generation is limited to a handful of frameworks in Alpha/Beta on its Enterprise plan and processes your source with LLM services. Undocumented and shadow APIs are discovered and tested automatically.
Is NightVision CI/CD-native like StackHawk?
Yes. Both tools are CI/CD-native. NightVision integrates with GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, Jenkins, and Azure DevOps, with scans completing in 10-15 minutes and findings posted to the pull request.
Does NightVision tie findings to source code like StackHawk?
NightVision goes further: combined static + dynamic analysis pinpoints each validated finding to the exact file path and line number, not just the HTTP request that triggered it.
Can NightVision scan apps on private networks?
Yes: NightVision's smart proxy scans private-network applications with zero infrastructure changes. No agents, no routing configuration.
What does NightVision cost compared to StackHawk?
NightVision starts at $15,000/year for the Single Application plan, with a free 3-day trial and no credit card required. Enterprise plans are available for teams.
Can I migrate from StackHawk to NightVision easily?
Yes. Because NightVision generates its own API specs from source, migration usually means connecting your repo and pipeline. Most teams run their first scan in 10-15 minutes.
How NightVision compares to other tools
NightVision vs Burp Suite · NightVision vs Checkmarx · NightVision vs Invicti · NightVision vs Snyk · NightVision vs Veracode · NightVision vs Bright Security · NightVision vs Rapid7 InsightAppSec · NightVision vs HCL AppScan · NightVision vs OWASP ZAP · NightVision vs Escape · NightVision vs 42Crunch · All comparisons
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