For Founders & Indie Hackers

Security Scanner for Startups

You're moving fast to ship. But one security breach could end everything. Find the right security scanner to protect your startup without slowing you down.

Scan Your Startup Free

Built for vibe-coded apps and MVPs.

60%

of small businesses close within 6 months of a data breach

43%

of cyberattacks target small businesses

73%

of vibe-coded apps have security issues

Why Startups Need Security Scanning

Data Breaches Kill Startups

60% of small businesses close within 6 months of a data breach. You can't afford the reputation damage, legal costs, and customer loss.

Investors Check Security

Due diligence includes security review. Having documented security practices and scan results shows maturity and reduces investment risk.

Enterprise Customers Require It

Landing your first enterprise deal often requires passing security questionnaires. Documented scanning helps you answer confidently.

AI Code Has More Vulnerabilities

If you're using AI tools to build faster, you're likely introducing more vulnerabilities. Vibe-coded apps need scanning even more.

Most Common Startup Vulnerabilities

Vulnerability	Prevalence	Impact	Quick Fix
Exposed API Keys	54%	API abuse, billing surprises, data access	Move to environment variables
Missing Database Security (RLS)	68%	Complete data exposure	Enable Row Level Security
Weak Authentication	45%	Account takeover, unauthorized access	Enforce strong passwords, add email verification
Missing Security Headers	72%	XSS, clickjacking, other client attacks	Configure headers in hosting platform

What to Look for in a Security Scanner

Free Tier or Trial

Startups need to validate without spending. Look for tools with generous free tiers.

must have

Fast Results

You're moving fast. Scanning should take minutes, not hours or days.

must have

Actionable Remediation

Findings should include clear fix instructions, not just vulnerability names.

must have

Low False Positives

You don't have time to investigate issues that aren't real. Accuracy matters.

important

No Security Expertise Required

Results should be understandable without a security background.

important

CI/CD Integration

Automate scanning in your deployment pipeline for continuous protection.

nice to-have

Popular Security Scanners Compared

VAS (Vibe App Scanner)Recommended

Best for: Vibe-coded apps, MVPs

Free tier available

Pros

Built for AI-generated code
Fast results
Clear remediation
Understands Supabase/Firebase

Cons

Focused on web apps only

Snyk

Best for: Dependency scanning

Free for open source

Pros

Great dependency scanning
IDE integration
Large vulnerability database

Cons

Less focus on runtime/config issues
Can be overwhelming

OWASP ZAP

Best for: Technical teams

Completely free

Pros

Free and open source
Comprehensive DAST
Active community

Cons

Steep learning curve
Requires security knowledge
Can be slow

Protect Your Startup Today

VAS is built for startups and indie hackers building with AI tools. Fast scans, clear results, free to start.

Start Free Security Scan

Frequently Asked Questions

Do startups really need security scanning?

Yes. Startups are increasingly targeted because they often have valuable data with weak security. A breach can be fatal for a young company—60% of small businesses close within 6 months of a breach. Scanning is cheap insurance against catastrophic risk.

What's the best free security scanner for startups?

It depends on your needs. VAS offers free scans optimized for vibe-coded apps. OWASP ZAP is fully free but requires technical expertise. Snyk is free for open source with dependency focus. Start with what matches your stack and expertise level.

When should I start security scanning?

Before you have real users or data. Ideally, scan during development, before launch, and regularly after. The cost of fixing issues increases dramatically once you're in production with users.

Should I scan before raising funding?

Yes. Investors increasingly include security in due diligence. Having scan reports showing you've addressed vulnerabilities demonstrates maturity. Some investors now require security assessments before closing.

Is a vulnerability scan enough, or do I need a pentest?

For most early-stage startups, regular vulnerability scanning is sufficient. Pentests ($5k-$50k+) make more sense once you're handling significant sensitive data or preparing for enterprise customers. Start with scanning, graduate to pentests as you scale.

How do I choose between security scanners?

Consider: 1) Does it understand your tech stack? 2) Is there a free tier? 3) How fast are results? 4) Are findings actionable? 5) What's the false positive rate? Try a few with your actual application and see which provides the most useful results.

Related Resources for Startups

Startup Security Checklist MVP Security Guide Scan vs Pentest Vibe Coding Security

Last updated: January 16, 2026