Code quality and security

Composal vs OWASP ZAP

ZAP probes web application security properties. Composal checks product requirements and user-visible behavior in browser journeys. Composal is not a security scanner and does not replace ZAP.

See where each fits ↓

Two workflows, side by side

Composal

Composal sends AI browser agents to use your running web app and check the outcomes you care about. Define journeys as plain-English Scenarios, map existing flows with Discovery, or explore for bugs with Deep Scan. Runs keep recordings and reproduction steps so your team or coding agent can investigate a Finding.

Verify documentation →

OWASP ZAP

Dynamic web application security testing

OWASP ZAP is an open-source web application security scanner and proxy. It supports automated and manual security testing workflows, including crawling and active scanning of applications.

What each tool does

“With setup” means you supply code or configuration. “Not confirmed” means support for this workflow needs checking with the vendor.

Composal and OWASP ZAP workflow capabilities
Workflow	Composal	OWASP ZAP
Run browser journeys	Yes Run saved browser Scenarios and return recordings and reproducible Findings.	Not confirmed Check whether this product includes this workflow in your intended plan and setup.
Map application workflows	Yes Discovery maps key application areas and user journeys.	Not confirmed Check whether this product includes this workflow in your intended plan and setup.
Explore for unexpected issues	Yes Deep Scan explores the running application and reports reproducible issues.	Not confirmed Check whether this product includes this workflow in your intended plan and setup.
Describe checks in plain English	Yes Author Scenarios around the intended user outcome, then review the steps and expected results.	Not confirmed Check whether this product includes this workflow in your intended plan and setup.
Run or inspect from a terminal	Yes Use the CLI to start and inspect verification runs and their Findings.	With setup Connect its specialist checks to your development workflow using supported integrations.
Dedicated web security testing	No Use a dedicated tool for this specialist workflow alongside Composal’s browser verification.	Yes OWASP ZAP is an open-source web application security scanner and proxy. It supports automated and manual security testing workflows, including crawling and active scanning of applications.

Where each fits

Choose ZAP when authorized dynamic security testing is required. Choose Composal for functional browser QA and reproducible product Findings. A release process can run both with distinct security and product criteria.

Try this evaluation

Use an isolated authorized test environment. Run a scoped ZAP scan and a Composal journey for the same feature; compare security alerts with functional outcomes, then keep their triage criteria separate.

Coverage: Which user outcomes must this release prove, and which specialist checks must stay in your existing stack?
Setup: Who prepares accounts, test data, permissions and access to the deployment being tested?
Evidence: Can the engineer reproduce a reported failure from the recording and steps, without asking the tester to investigate again?
Ownership: Who updates the checks when the product changes, and can the team review what a passing result actually proves?