# 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.

## 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](https://composal.com/docs/verify)

## 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

| Workflow | Composal | OWASP ZAP |
| --- | --- | --- |
| [Run browser journeys](https://composal.com/product/scenarios) | ✓ 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](https://composal.com/product/discovery) | ✓ 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](https://composal.com/product/deep-scan) | ✓ 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](https://composal.com/product/scenarios) | ✓ 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](https://composal.com/product/cli) | ✓ 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. |

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

## 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?

## Related comparisons

- [Composal vs Burp Suite](https://composal.com/compare/composal-vs-burp-suite.md)
- [Composal vs JetBrains Qodana](https://composal.com/compare/composal-vs-qodana.md)
- [Composal vs Semgrep Code](https://composal.com/compare/composal-vs-semgrep-code.md)

[All comparisons](https://composal.com/compare.md)