middleBrick vs Protect AI

middleBrick is a black-box API security scanner that submits requests to a reachable endpoint and analyzes responses. It does not require agents, SDKs, or access to source code, and it supports any language, framework, or cloud. Scans complete in under a minute, use read-only HTTP methods plus text-only POST for LLM probes, and never modify backend state. Protect AI positions itself as an API security testing platform that can include active vulnerability validation. Public details indicate it supports authenticated scans, baseline assessments, and policy-based testing, though the exact breadth of intrusive payloads is not always transparent. middleBrick focuses on detection and reporting, whereas Protect AI emphasizes scanning plus remediation guidance.

middleBrick detects issues across 12 categories aligned to OWASP API Top 10 (2023), including authentication bypass, JWT misconfigurations, BOLA and BFLA, property over-exposure, input validation, rate limiting, data exposure, encryption issues, SSRF, inventory problems, unsafe consumption, and LLM/AI security. It maps findings to PCI-DSS 4.0, SOC 2 Type II, and OWASP API Top 10 (2023) using direct language, and it surfaces findings relevant to audit evidence for other frameworks using alignment language only. Protect AI also maps results to compliance standards and typically provides detailed remediation steps. When evaluating, consider which controls map to your existing requirements and whether the tool’s coverage matches your API risk profile.

middleBrick supports authenticated scanning at the Starter tier and above, allowing Bearer tokens, API keys, Basic auth, and cookies. Domain verification is required via DNS TXT record or an HTTP well-known file to ensure only domain owners can scan with credentials. The tool forwards a strict allowlist of headers and does not perform destructive operations. Protect AI supports authenticated scans as well, with options for API keys and tokens, but implementation details vary by plan. If you operate in regulated environments, verify that the authentication flow and header allowlist meet your internal security policies before integrating either tool.

middleBrick provides a Web Dashboard for managing scans and tracking score trends, a CLI via an npm package for local execution, a GitHub Action for CI/CD gating, an MCP Server for AI coding assistants, and a programmatic API for custom integrations. Continuous monitoring on the Pro tier includes scheduled rescans, diff detection, email alerts, HMAC-SIGNED webhooks, and data deletion on request. Protect AI offers its own integration set, often centered around CI pipelines and ticketing systems, with features like policy management and detailed remediation playbooks. Compare integration formats, supported output types, and alerting mechanisms to determine which workflow fits your team.

middleBrick pricing is subscription-based: Free for 3 scans per month, Starter at 99 USD per month for 15 APIs, Pro at 499 USD per month for 100 APIs plus per-API fees, and Enterprise at 2000 USD per month for unlimited APIs with extra controls. Protect AI’s public tiers are not detailed here, but typical pricing models for similar platforms include per-scan or per-endpoint charges, with premium features behind higher plans. Evaluate setup cost, ongoing scan volume, feature coverage such as continuous monitoring and CI/CD integration, and whether the tool supports your long-term security posture rather than only initial assessments.