APIsec vs Probely: which is better?

Both tools perform black-box scans that require no code access or agents, but they differ in depth and focus. middleBrick emphasizes OWASP API Top 10 coverage with structured detection for authentication bypass, IDOR, privilege escalation, and LLM-specific adversarial testing across tiered scan modes. Probely focuses on vulnerability detection with a broad plugin set, yet its API security coverage is less granular around authorization flaws and schema-driven testing.

middleBrick parses OpenAPI 3.0, 3.1, and Swagger 2.0 with recursive $ref resolution, cross-referencing the spec against runtime behavior to surface undefined security schemes and deprecated operations. Probely can integrate specification files, but its runtime correlation is less systematic for schema-based anomalies.

For teams that want scanner-driven guidance tightly aligned to the OWASP API Top 10 and explicit spec validation, middleBrick is the preferable choice. Teams that prioritize broad web application scanning alongside API checks may find Probely more familiar, provided they accept reduced depth in API-specific logic testing.

middleBrick covers 12 categories tailored to modern API risks, including authentication misconfigurations such as JWT alg=none, missing claims, and sensitive data in tokens. It probes BOLA and IDOR via sequential ID enumeration and active adjacent-ID probing, and it tests BFLA and privilege escalation through admin endpoint discovery and role/permission leakage checks. Property authorization is assessed by detecting over-exposure of internal fields and mass-assignment surfaces.

The scanner validates input controls with CORS wildcard detection (including credentialed contexts), dangerous HTTP methods, and debug endpoint exposure. Rate limiting is evaluated via header detection and oversized response analysis, while data exposure checks include PII patterns, Luhn-validated card detection, API key format recognition, and error/stack-trace leakage. Encryption checks cover HTTPS redirects, HSTS, cookie flags, and mixed content.

For LLM-facing APIs, middleBrick runs 18 adversarial probes across Quick, Standard, and Deep tiers, targeting system prompt extraction, instruction override, DAN and roleplay jailbreaks, data exfiltration, cost exploitation, and token smuggling. Probely offers limited LLM testing and does not provide the same tiered, schema-aware depth for API security.

middleBrick reads OpenAPI definitions to compare declared security schemes with observed runtime behavior, highlighting mismatches such as undefined security schemes, sensitive fields in responses, and missing pagination. This helps teams identify design-specification gaps that simpler scanners miss.

Authenticated scanning in middleBrick supports Bearer, API key, Basic auth, and Cookie methods, gated by domain verification via DNS TXT records or HTTP well-known files to ensure only domain owners can scan with credentials. A strict header allowlist is enforced, forwarding only Authorization, X-API-Key, Cookie, and X-Custom-* headers. Starter tier and above unlock these features, enabling more realistic authenticated assessment.

Probely supports authenticated scans, but its authentication handling is less prescriptive around domain verification and header control. For regulated environments where credential scope must be tightly limited, middleBrick’s governance model is more suitable.

middleBrick provides a Web Dashboard for scan management, report viewing, and score trend tracking, with branded compliance PDFs for audits. The CLI supports JSON and text output via middlebrick scan <url>, and a GitHub Action can gate CI/CD when scores drop below defined thresholds. An MCP Server enables scanning from AI coding assistants.

Pro tier adds continuous monitoring with scheduled rescans, diff detection for new and resolved findings, score drift tracking, and rate-limited email alerts. HMAC-SHA256 signed webhooks deliver automated notifications, with auto-disable after five consecutive failures. Enterprise tiers include unlimited APIs, custom rules, SSO, audit logs, SLA-backed support, and dedicated assistance.

middleBrick maps findings to PCI-DSS 4.0, SOC 2 Type II, and OWASP API Top 10 (2023), using direct language only for these frameworks. For other regulations, the tool supports audit evidence collection and aligns with described security controls, without claiming certification or guaranteed compliance.

middleBrick is read-only and does not modify, patch, or block systems. It avoids intrusive payloads like active SQL injection or command injection tests, which fall outside its scope. Business logic vulnerabilities and blind SSRF require human expertise and are not detected. The tool does not replace a full manual pentest for high-stakes assessments.

Choose middleBrick if your team needs a repeatable, standards-aligned scanner with strong OpenAPI validation, tiered LLM testing, and clear remediation guidance. It suits security-conscious engineering organizations that want evidence-based results and controlled governance.

Probely may appeal to teams already invested in its broader plugin ecosystem and who prioritize web application scanning alongside API checks, accepting reduced specificity for API authorization and schema-driven testing. For specialized API security programs, middleBrick is the stronger fit.