Security tools protect organizations from threats, ensure compliance, and manage access to systems and data. The landscape is vast, spanning application security, infrastructure protection, identity management, and compliance automation.

For developers, tools like Snyk and GitHub Advanced Security scan code and dependencies for vulnerabilities. For infrastructure, Cloudflare provides CDN, DDoS protection, and edge security. For compliance, platforms like Vanta automate SOC 2, ISO 27001, and other certifications. For networking, Tailscale makes secure access simple.

When evaluating security tools, prioritize based on your actual threat model rather than fear-driven marketing. Start with the basics: strong authentication, dependency scanning, and infrastructure hardening. Layer in more sophisticated tools as your security posture matures.

All security tools

1
Snyk Free tier

Developer security platform for finding and fixing vulnerabilities in code and dependencies.

Free for open source · Free Developers wanting automated vulnerability scanning
Code Scanning Dependencies Container IaC
2
Cloudflare Free tier

Web performance and security company providing CDN, DDoS protection, and edge computing.

Generous free plan · Free Any website wanting CDN, security, and performance
CDN DDoS Protection WAF Workers
3

Compliance automation platform for SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, and more.

Paid from Custom Companies needing SOC 2 and compliance automation
SOC 2 ISO 27001 HIPAA Continuous Monitoring
4

Business password manager with SSO, SCIM provisioning, and developer secrets.

Paid from $7.99/user/mo Teams wanting enterprise password and secrets management
Team Vaults SSO Secrets Automation Activity Log
5

Cloud-native endpoint security platform with AI-powered threat detection.

Paid from Custom Enterprises wanting AI-powered endpoint protection
EDR Threat Intelligence Cloud Security Identity
6
Tailscale Free tier

Zero-config VPN built on WireGuard for secure access to devices and services.

Free for 100 devices · Free Teams wanting zero-config VPN and secure networking
WireGuard VPN Zero Config ACLs MagicDNS
7

Compliance automation platform that puts security compliance on autopilot.

Paid from Custom pricing Growing companies that want continuous compliance monitoring across multiple frameworks
Compliance automation SOC 2 ISO 27001 HIPAA
8
Wiz

Cloud security platform providing full visibility into risks across your cloud environment.

Paid from Custom pricing Cloud-native companies that need comprehensive visibility into cloud security risks
Cloud security Vulnerability scanning Agentless Multi-cloud

Popular security comparisons

Find alternatives

Frequently asked questions

What security tools does every startup need?
At minimum: a password manager (1Password), SSL everywhere (automatic with most hosts), dependency scanning (Snyk free tier or GitHub Dependabot), and 2FA enforcement. Add Cloudflare for DDoS protection and CDN. Start SOC 2 compliance (Vanta) when enterprise customers require it.
Is Cloudflare worth it for small sites?
Absolutely. The free plan includes CDN, DDoS protection, SSL, and basic WAF. There's very little reason not to put Cloudflare in front of any public website. The performance boost alone is worth the (zero) cost.
What's the easiest way to secure internal services?
Tailscale creates a zero-config VPN mesh between your devices and services using WireGuard. It's the simplest way to ensure internal tools aren't exposed to the internet. The free tier supports up to 100 devices, which is more than enough for most teams.

Explore more