Akto
Open source API security platform for discovery, inventory, and automated API testing.
Technical Architecture & Overview
Akto builds an API inventory from traffic sources such as Burp Suite, Postman, cloud traffic mirroring, and API gateways, then runs automated tests from a library of more than 1,000 pre-built tests covering OWASP Top 10 categories, including BOLA, broken authentication, and SSRF. The core is open source and runs locally with Docker Compose, while Akto Cloud and an Enterprise self-hosted edition add commercial features. The vendor now also markets AI agent and MCP security.
Targeted Technical Use Cases
Teams that need an API inventory and continuous API testing without a large commercial contract.
Evaluation & Trade-offs
Core Strengths
- +Open source core with a large test library.
- +Inventory builds from real traffic, not stale specs.
- +CI integration for API regression testing.
Trade-Offs & Limitations
- -API inventory depends on connecting a traffic source such as a gateway, cloud mirroring, or Burp Suite.
- -CI scheduling and team features sit in the commercial editions.
Defensive Security Application
Discovering undocumented APIs and continuously testing them for exploitable flaws.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Akto?→
Akto builds an API inventory from traffic sources such as Burp Suite, Postman, cloud traffic mirroring, and API gateways, then runs automated tests from a library of more than 1,000 pre-built tests covering OWASP Top 10 categories, including BOLA, broken authentication, and SSRF. The core is open source and runs locally with Docker Compose, while Akto Cloud and an Enterprise self-hosted edition add commercial features. The vendor now also markets AI agent and MCP security.
What is Akto used for?→
Teams that need an API inventory and continuous API testing without a large commercial contract.
What are the strengths of Akto?→
- +Open source core with a large test library.
- +Inventory builds from real traffic, not stale specs.
- +CI integration for API regression testing.
What are the limitations of Akto?→
- +API inventory depends on connecting a traffic source such as a gateway, cloud mirroring, or Burp Suite.
- +CI scheduling and team features sit in the commercial editions.
How is Akto used defensively?→
Discovering undocumented APIs and continuously testing them for exploitable flaws.