Security is a requirement for any software that runs in production. At the same time, many well-known security tools are priced and designed for
Security is a requirement for any software that runs in production. At the same time, many well-known security tools are priced and designed for large enterprises, with dedicated security teams and complex infrastructure.
For startups and small teams, the challenge is different. They need security tools for software that don’t cost a lot, fit naturally into a modern development workflow, and provide real protection against common attacks without becoming a full-time job to operate.
This guide highlights affordable security tools and explains where each one fits in a modern application stack.
Not all security tools solve the same problem. Understanding the main categories makes it easier to choose tools that provide meaningful coverage without unnecessary cost.
Affordable application security usually combines multiple tools, each protecting a different layer of the system.
Below are several widely used, low-cost security tools that cover different layers of a modern application.
OWASP Dependency-CheckA dependency vulnerability scanner that identifies known CVEs in third-party libraries. It is free, easy to automate in CI, and provides baseline coverage for supply chain risk, but it does not protect a running application from active attacks.
SemgrepA static analysis tool that scans source code using customizable rules. Semgrep offers a free tier and open rulesets, making it accessible for teams that want code-level security feedback, though results depend on rule quality and tuning.
TrivyA vulnerability scanner for containers, filesystems, and dependencies. Trivy is fast, easy to integrate into CI, and commonly used to catch known issues before deployment, but it focuses on artifact scanning rather than application behavior.
OWASP ZAPA dynamic application security testing tool that scans running web apps for common vulnerabilities. It is open source and useful for identifying issues static tools miss, but it requires configuration and manual review to separate signal from noise.
Cloudflare basic WAF and rate limitingEdge-based protections that help block volumetric abuse, basic bots, and common attack patterns. These features are affordable and effective as a first line of defense, but they rely on generic request signals rather than deep, application-specific logic and get expensive as usage grows.
ArcjetArcjet is an application security tool that runs inside your app to protect against abuse like bots and malicious traffic. It is designed for startups and nimble engineering teams that want an affordable alternative to traditional WAFs without adding operational complexity. By integrating directly into the application, Arcjet applies protections such as rate limiting and bot detection with full awareness of routes, users, and intent.
Traditional WAFs make sense for high-traffic applications with strict compliance requirements and dedicated teams to manage them. They provide broad coverage, but they also come with higher costs, more tuning, and an additional layer of infrastructure to operate.
Edge protection is easier to adopt and effective against obvious abuse, but it lacks the context needed to make nuanced security decisions. It can identify suspicious traffic patterns, but not whether a request makes sense for a specific user or route.
For many teams, Arcjet provides application-layer protection at a lower cost than traditional WAFs by using in-app context instead of perimeter rules. Because Arcjet runs inside the application, it can reduce false positives and focus protections on the parts of the system that matter most, without requiring a separate security appliance.
Effective application security usually comes from combining multiple tools, each responsible for a specific layer. A practical, affordable setup might include:
This layered approach keeps costs predictable while addressing the most common attack vectors faced by modern web apps.
There is no single security tool that fits every team. The right choices depend on factors like team size, traffic patterns, risk tolerance, and budget.
For many startups and developer-led teams, the goal is not maximum coverage at any cost, but effective security that fits the way they build and ship software. Affordable tools that integrate cleanly into existing workflows are more likely to stay enabled and deliver long-term value.
Security does not have to be expensive to be effective. Today, there are many affordable security tools that help protect modern software without the cost or complexity of traditional enterprise platforms.
The key is understanding what each tool does well and layering them intentionally. Arcjet is an application security tool that helps developers protect modern web apps without the cost or complexity of enterprise WAFs.
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