Defensics Fuzzing vs HCL AppScan comparison

The compared Black Duck and HCLSoftware solutions aren't in the same category. Black Duck is ranked #5 in FTT , and holds a 22.4% mindshare in the category. HCLSoftware is ranked #15 in AS , with an average rating of 8.3, and holds a 2.7% mindshare. Additionally, 100% of Black Duck users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 83% of HCLSoftware users who would recommend it.

Defensics Fuzzing

Read 4 Defensics Fuzzing reviews

1,116 Views
112 Comparison Views

100% willing to recommend

HCL AppScan

Read 43 HCL AppScan reviews

4,632 Views
3,381 Comparison Views

83% willing to recommend

Defensics Fuzzing

HCL AppScan

Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Categories and Ranking

Defensics Fuzzing

Average Rating

8.6

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Fuzz Testing Tools (5th)

HCL AppScan

Average Rating

7.8

Reviews Sentiment

6.1

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Application Security Tools (15th), Static Application Security Testing (SAST) (15th), Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) (1st)

Mindshare comparison

While both are Quality Assurance solutions, they serve different purposes. Defensics Fuzzing is designed for Fuzz Testing Tools and holds a mindshare of 22.4%, up 17.4% compared to last year.
HCL AppScan, on the other hand, focuses on Application Security Tools, holds 2.7% mindshare, up 2.7% since last year.

Fuzz Testing Tools

Application Security Tools

Featured Reviews

Sarath Kumar Choday

Senior Technical Lead at HCL Technologies

Product security tests for switches and router sections

Codenomicon Defensics should be more advanced for the testing sector. It should be somewhat easy and flexible to install. What I see in the documentation isn't that. Even if something doesn't malfunction, sometimes it is hard to install and execute. The product needs video documentation. This would help a lot more.

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Sthembiso Zondi

Head of Software Engineering at ronaldmariah@gmail.com

Has a straightforward setup process and valuable security features

We use AppScan primarily for security testing and performance monitoring across our systems The product's features for comprehensive code analysis (static) and live environment testing (dynamic) have significantly enhanced our ability to identify and address vulnerabilities, improving overall…

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Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"We have found multiple issues in our embedded system network protocols, related to buffer overflow. We have reduced some of these issues."

"The product is related to US usage with TLS contact fees, i.e. how more data center connections will help lower networking costs."

"Whatever the test suit they give, it is intelligent. It will understand the protocol and it will generate the test cases based on the protocol: protocol, message sequence, protocol, message structure... Because of that, we can eliminate a lot of unwanted test cases, so we can execute the tests and complete them very quickly."

"The most valuable feature of the solution is the scanning or security part."

"This is a stable solution."

"AppScan's most valuable features include its ability to identify vulnerabilities accurately, provide detailed remediation steps, and the newly introduced AI-powered features that enhance its functionality further."

"We use it as a security testing application."

"The platform has valuable security features, helping us identify sensitive code issues and the possibility of internal applications' exposure to external threats."

"We are now deploying less defects to production."

"The reporting part is the most valuable feature."

"The static scans are good, and the SaaS as well."

More HCL AppScan pros

Cons

"It does not support the complete protocol stack. There are some IoT protocols that are not supported and new protocols that are not supported."

"Codenomicon Defensics should be more advanced for the testing sector. It should be somewhat easy and flexible to install."

"Sometimes, when we are testing embedded devices, when we trigger the test cases, the target will crash immediately. It is very difficult for us to identify the root cause of the crash because they do not provide sophisticated tools on the target side. They cover only the client-side application... They do not have diagnostic tools for the target side. Rather, they have them but they are very minimal and not very helpful."

"HCL AppScan needs to improve security."

"The solution often has a high number of false positives. It's an aspect they really need to improve upon."

"I would like to see the roadmap for this product. We are still waiting to see it as we have only so many resources."

"AppScan is too complicated and should be made more user-friendly."

"AppScan needs to improve its handling of false positives."

"Visibility is an issue for us. Our partners do not know we have integrations with some of IBM products."

"One thing which I think can be improved is the CI/CD Integration"

"We would like to see a check in the specific vulnerabilities in mobile applications or rooted devices, such as jailbreaking devices."

More HCL AppScan cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"Licensing is a bit expensive."

"The price is very expensive."

"With the features, that they offer, and the support, they offer, AppScan pricing is on a higher level."

"AppScan is a little bit expensive. IBM needs to work a little bit on the pricing model, decreasing the license cost."

"The product has premium pricing and could be more competitive."

"HCL AppScan is expensive."

"I would rate the product's pricing a nine out of ten. The product's pricing is expensive compared to the features that they offer."

"Our clients are willing to pay the extra money. It is expensive."

"The price of HCL AppScan is okay, in my opinion. You just buy HCL AppScan and don't pay anything anymore, meaning it is just a one-time purchase."

More HCL AppScan pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

20%

Manufacturing Company

16%

Financial Services Firm

Media Company

Computer Software Company

17%

Financial Services Firm

13%

Government

10%

Manufacturing Company

10%

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

No data available

Questions from the Community

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What do you like most about HCL AppScan?

The most valuable feature of HCL AppScan is its integration with the SDLC, particularly during the coding phase.

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What needs improvement with HCL AppScan?

AppScan needs to improve its handling of false positives. It also requires enhancements in customer support, similar to what Veracode provides. Regularly scheduling calls with clients to discuss fe...

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What is your primary use case for HCL AppScan?

The primary use case for AppScan is for security purposes. I compare AppScan with other tools such as Veracode. We use AppScan for vulnerability detection and auto-remediation of vulnerabilities wi...

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Comparisons

SonarQube Server (formerly SonarQube) vs Defensics Fuzzing

Compared 31% of the time

Veracode vs Defensics Fuzzing

Compared 11% of the time

Coverity vs Defensics Fuzzing

Compared 11% of the time

Ixia BreakingPoint vs Defensics Fuzzing

Compared 10% of the time

Snyk vs Defensics Fuzzing

Compared 10% of the time

More Defensics Fuzzing Competitors

Acunetix vs HCL AppScan

Compared 13% of the time

SonarQube Server (formerly SonarQube) vs HCL AppScan

Compared 12% of the time

Veracode vs HCL AppScan

Compared 11% of the time

OWASP Zap vs HCL AppScan

Compared 7% of the time

Checkmarx One vs HCL AppScan

Compared 7% of the time

More HCL AppScan Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Defensics Fuzzing vs. GitLab

July 2025

Download Defensics Fuzzing product report

Buyer's Guide

HCL AppScan

August 2025

Download HCL AppScan product report

Also Known As

Codenomicon Defensics

IBM Security AppScan, Rational AppScan, AppScan

Overview

Defensics® fuzz testing is a comprehensive, powerful, and automated black box solution that enables organizations to effectively and efficiently discover and remediate security weaknesses in software. By taking a systematic and intelligent approach to negative testing, Defensics allows organizations to ensure software security without compromising on product innovation, increasing time to market, or inflating operational costs.

Black Duck

IBM Security AppScan enhances web application security and mobile application security, improves application security program management and strengthens regulatory compliance. By scanning your web and mobile applications prior to deployment, AppScan enables you to identify security vulnerabilities and generate reports and fix recommendations.

HCLSoftware

Sample Customers

Coriant, CERT-FI, Next Generation Networks

Essex Technology Group Inc., Cisco, West Virginia University, APIS IT

We monitor all Fuzz Testing Tools reviews to prevent fraudulent reviews and keep review quality high. We do not post reviews by company employees or direct competitors. We validate each review for authenticity via cross-reference with LinkedIn, and personal follow-up with the reviewer when necessary.