Quick Overview
- 1#1: Dradis - Collaborative framework for organizing security assessment data and generating customizable professional reports.
- 2#2: AttackForge - Workflow management platform for penetration testing that automates report generation and client delivery.
- 3#3: Faraday - Collaborative vulnerability management tool with integrated reporting for security teams.
- 4#4: DefectDojo - Open-source vulnerability management platform featuring customizable report templates and exports.
- 5#5: Burp Suite - Web vulnerability scanner with highly customizable report generation for web application security assessments.
- 6#6: Nessus - Vulnerability scanner that produces detailed, compliance-ready security assessment reports.
- 7#7: Acunetix - Web application security scanner with automated report generation including remediation advice.
- 8#8: Qualys - Cloud-based vulnerability management platform offering advanced executive and technical reporting.
- 9#9: Rapid7 InsightVM - Vulnerability risk management solution with dynamic dashboards and exportable risk reports.
- 10#10: Greenbone - Open-source vulnerability management system providing comprehensive scan reports and alerts.
We evaluated tools based on feature depth (automation, customization), report accuracy and compliance readiness, user-friendliness (collaboration, intuitive design), and overall value (cost-effectiveness, scalability) to ensure the list reflects the most impactful solutions for modern security teams.
Comparison Table
Effective security report writing is vital for coherent documentation, stakeholder alignment, and operational transparency in cybersecurity workflows. This comparison table surveys leading tools like Dradis, AttackForge, Faraday, DefectDojo, Burp Suite, and more, examining their key features, usability, and tailored use cases to guide informed software selection. Readers will discover how each platform streamlines report creation, integrates with existing tools, and supports diverse security reporting needs.
| # | Tool | Category | Overall | Features | Ease of Use | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dradis Collaborative framework for organizing security assessment data and generating customizable professional reports. | specialized | 9.4/10 | 9.6/10 | 8.8/10 | 9.2/10 |
| 2 | AttackForge Workflow management platform for penetration testing that automates report generation and client delivery. | specialized | 9.2/10 | 9.5/10 | 8.7/10 | 8.9/10 |
| 3 | Faraday Collaborative vulnerability management tool with integrated reporting for security teams. | specialized | 8.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.1/10 | 9.4/10 |
| 4 | DefectDojo Open-source vulnerability management platform featuring customizable report templates and exports. | specialized | 8.7/10 | 9.2/10 | 7.5/10 | 9.8/10 |
| 5 | Burp Suite Web vulnerability scanner with highly customizable report generation for web application security assessments. | specialized | 6.8/10 | 6.5/10 | 6.0/10 | 7.2/10 |
| 6 | Nessus Vulnerability scanner that produces detailed, compliance-ready security assessment reports. | enterprise | 7.6/10 | 8.2/10 | 7.1/10 | 6.8/10 |
| 7 | Acunetix Web application security scanner with automated report generation including remediation advice. | enterprise | 8.2/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.8/10 | 7.5/10 |
| 8 | Qualys Cloud-based vulnerability management platform offering advanced executive and technical reporting. | enterprise | 7.2/10 | 8.1/10 | 6.4/10 | 6.7/10 |
| 9 | Rapid7 InsightVM Vulnerability risk management solution with dynamic dashboards and exportable risk reports. | enterprise | 8.1/10 | 8.7/10 | 7.4/10 | 7.8/10 |
| 10 | Greenbone Open-source vulnerability management system providing comprehensive scan reports and alerts. | specialized | 6.2/10 | 6.8/10 | 5.1/10 | 8.4/10 |
Collaborative framework for organizing security assessment data and generating customizable professional reports.
Workflow management platform for penetration testing that automates report generation and client delivery.
Collaborative vulnerability management tool with integrated reporting for security teams.
Open-source vulnerability management platform featuring customizable report templates and exports.
Web vulnerability scanner with highly customizable report generation for web application security assessments.
Vulnerability scanner that produces detailed, compliance-ready security assessment reports.
Web application security scanner with automated report generation including remediation advice.
Cloud-based vulnerability management platform offering advanced executive and technical reporting.
Vulnerability risk management solution with dynamic dashboards and exportable risk reports.
Open-source vulnerability management system providing comprehensive scan reports and alerts.
Dradis
specializedCollaborative framework for organizing security assessment data and generating customizable professional reports.
The comprehensive plugin library that automatically imports, normalizes, and deduplicates data from diverse security scanners into a unified report structure.
Dradis is a collaborative platform tailored for security teams, enabling the import, organization, and reporting of vulnerability assessment data from tools like Nessus, Burp Suite, and Nmap. It excels in deduplicating findings, applying custom templates, and generating professional reports in formats like Word, PDF, and Markdown. As a leader in security report writing software, it streamlines workflows from raw scan data to polished deliverables, fostering team collaboration in real-time.
Pros
- Extensive plugin ecosystem for seamless integration with 50+ security tools
- Highly customizable report templates and issue tracking
- Strong collaboration features including real-time editing and permissions
Cons
- Steeper learning curve for non-technical users
- Advanced automation and API features limited to Pro version
- Self-hosting requires DevOps expertise for optimal setup
Best For
Penetration testing teams and security consultancies needing to aggregate scan data and produce client-ready reports efficiently.
Pricing
Free open-source Community Edition; Pro edition starts at $99/month for up to 5 users, with custom enterprise plans available.
AttackForge
specializedWorkflow management platform for penetration testing that automates report generation and client delivery.
Living reports that automatically update with finding status changes and remediation progress
AttackForge is a collaborative platform tailored for penetration testing and offensive security teams, streamlining the entire engagement lifecycle from scoping to reporting. It specializes in security report writing by offering customizable templates, automated narrative generation, and real-time collaboration on findings and reports. Users can generate professional PDF or Word exports with remediation tracking, making it ideal for delivering client-ready deliverables efficiently.
Pros
- Highly customizable report templates and automated sections
- Seamless team and client collaboration in real-time
- Integrated finding management that feeds directly into reports
Cons
- Steeper learning curve for non-technical users
- Pricing scales quickly for larger teams
- Limited standalone report-only functionality without full workflow
Best For
Mid-sized pentest firms and security consultancies that require collaborative, workflow-integrated report writing.
Pricing
Freemium with paid plans starting at $99/month for Pro (up to 5 users), scaling to Enterprise custom pricing.
Faraday
specializedCollaborative vulnerability management tool with integrated reporting for security teams.
Deep integrations with 100+ scanners that automatically populate and enrich vulnerability data for dynamic report generation
Faraday is an open-source collaborative platform designed for security teams to manage penetration testing workflows, track vulnerabilities, and generate detailed reports. It centralizes findings from over 100 integrated scanning tools, enabling real-time collaboration and automated report creation with customizable templates. Ideal for offensive security operations, it streamlines the transition from assessment to professional reporting in formats like PDF, Excel, and Markdown.
Pros
- Extensive integrations with 100+ security tools for automated data import
- Powerful collaboration features for team-based assessments
- Highly customizable report templates and export options
Cons
- Steep learning curve for setup and advanced features
- User interface feels dated and less intuitive
- Requires self-hosting for full control, adding maintenance overhead
Best For
Penetration testing teams and security consultants who need integrated vulnerability management and collaborative report generation.
Pricing
Free open-source Community edition; Enterprise edition with support and advanced features starts at custom pricing upon request.
DefectDojo
specializedOpen-source vulnerability management platform featuring customizable report templates and exports.
Intelligent finding deduplication across scanners for generating accurate, duplicate-free security reports
DefectDojo is an open-source vulnerability management platform that centralizes security findings from over 60 scanners, enabling deduplication, risk scoring, and remediation tracking. It provides robust reporting features, including customizable dashboards, PDF exports, CSV/JSON outputs, and metrics on vulnerabilities for compliance and executive summaries. Designed for DevSecOps teams, it streamlines the entire vulnerability lifecycle with integrated reporting to support security report writing.
Pros
- Free and fully open-source with no licensing costs
- Excellent integration with numerous scanners for consolidated reports
- Advanced deduplication and risk acceptance features ensure accurate, clean reports
Cons
- Self-hosted setup requires DevOps expertise and infrastructure
- User interface feels dated and has a steep learning curve
- Reporting customization is powerful but lacks polished templates for non-technical users
Best For
Security teams in mid-to-large organizations managing multi-tool vulnerability scans who need a comprehensive platform with strong reporting.
Pricing
Free open-source (self-hosted); optional paid support available via community or partners.
Burp Suite
specializedWeb vulnerability scanner with highly customizable report generation for web application security assessments.
Automated report generation from live scan results with embedded evidence like request/response snippets
Burp Suite, developed by PortSwigger, is primarily a web application security testing toolkit that includes built-in reporting features for generating security assessment reports from vulnerability scans and manual testing. Users can export detailed HTML reports highlighting issues discovered, complete with severity ratings, descriptions, and remediation recommendations. While not a dedicated report writing tool, it excels in producing standardized reports tied directly to empirical scan data, making it valuable for penetration testers.
Pros
- Integrates seamlessly with scanning and testing data for accurate reports
- Provides detailed, evidence-based vulnerability descriptions
- Customizable report templates and export options (HTML, XML)
Cons
- Reporting limited to Burp-generated data; poor for custom or manual reports
- Steep learning curve for full utilization outside basic exports
- Lacks advanced formatting, collaboration, or template libraries
Best For
Penetration testers and security analysts who perform web app scans and need quick, data-driven vulnerability reports.
Pricing
Community edition free with basic reporting; Professional $449/user/year; Enterprise for teams starts at custom pricing.
Nessus
enterpriseVulnerability scanner that produces detailed, compliance-ready security assessment reports.
Customizable report templates with executive summaries, technical details, and built-in remediation workflows tailored to standards like CIS benchmarks.
Nessus, developed by Tenable, is a widely-used vulnerability scanner that identifies security weaknesses, misconfigurations, and compliance issues across networks, cloud, and endpoints. It generates detailed reports featuring vulnerability details, CVSS scores, remediation steps, and executive summaries in formats like PDF, HTML, and CSV. While primarily a scanning tool, its reporting engine supports compliance standards such as PCI DSS and HIPAA, making it suitable for documenting security assessments.
Pros
- Comprehensive reports with prioritized vulnerabilities, risk scoring, and remediation guidance
- Supports multiple export formats and compliance templates (e.g., PCI, NIST)
- Over 190,000 plugins ensure accurate, up-to-date findings in reports
Cons
- Reporting is scan-dependent, not a standalone authoring tool
- Limited advanced customization for non-technical or branded reports
- Steep pricing for full features; free version severely limited
Best For
Security teams in mid-sized organizations needing automated vulnerability scan reports for compliance and remediation documentation.
Pricing
Essentials: Free (16 IPs max); Professional: ~$3,950/year; Expert/Enterprise: Custom pricing from $5,000+/year based on assets.
Acunetix
enterpriseWeb application security scanner with automated report generation including remediation advice.
AcuSensor technology for real-time vulnerability confirmation, drastically reducing false positives in reports
Acunetix is an automated web vulnerability scanner that detects thousands of vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, and compliance issues in web applications. It generates detailed security reports with executive summaries, technical details, risk ratings, proof-of-concept exploits, and remediation recommendations. These reports support formats like PDF, HTML, and XML, aiding in compliance with standards such as PCI DSS, HIPAA, and GDPR.
Pros
- Highly accurate reports with low false positives thanks to AcuSensor technology
- Customizable templates and multiple export formats for professional presentations
- Integration with CI/CD pipelines and issue trackers for streamlined reporting workflows
Cons
- Limited support for manual report authoring or collaboration beyond scan results
- Complex setup for on-premises deployments and advanced customizations
- Enterprise pricing may not justify value for teams focused solely on report writing
Best For
DevSecOps teams and compliance officers in mid-to-large organizations needing automated vulnerability scanning paired with reliable security reports.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing; on-premises starts around $5,000/year, cloud plans from $99/month for basic scanning with reporting add-ons.
Qualys
enterpriseCloud-based vulnerability management platform offering advanced executive and technical reporting.
TruRisk-powered reports that prioritize vulnerabilities with contextual risk scoring for actionable insights
Qualys is a comprehensive cloud-based vulnerability management platform that includes robust reporting capabilities for generating security assessment reports based on automated scans, compliance checks, and threat detection. It automates the creation of detailed reports with vulnerability details, risk scores, and remediation recommendations, supporting formats like PDF, CSV, and XML. While not a standalone report writing tool, its reporting engine excels in data-driven security documentation for enterprises.
Pros
- Automated report generation from real-time scan data
- Customizable templates and executive summaries
- Integration with vulnerability prioritization (TruRisk)
Cons
- Steep learning curve for non-experts
- High cost limits accessibility for SMBs
- Less flexible for custom narrative writing outside scan data
Best For
Large enterprises requiring automated, scan-based security reports integrated with vulnerability management.
Pricing
Quote-based subscription starting around $2,000-$5,000/year per asset or IP range, scaling with usage.
Rapid7 InsightVM
enterpriseVulnerability risk management solution with dynamic dashboards and exportable risk reports.
Real Risk Scoring that prioritizes vulnerabilities in reports based on actual exploitability and business impact
Rapid7 InsightVM is a comprehensive vulnerability management platform that scans IT environments for vulnerabilities, prioritizes risks using Real Risk Scoring, and generates detailed security reports. It supports custom report templates, executive summaries, compliance reporting, and exports in various formats like PDF and CSV for vulnerability assessments. While primarily a vuln management tool, its robust reporting capabilities make it suitable for automating and enhancing security report writing workflows.
Pros
- Extensive vulnerability data feeds accurate, data-rich reports
- Customizable templates and dynamic dashboards for tailored security reports
- Integration with SIEM and ticketing tools streamlines report distribution
Cons
- Primarily vuln-focused, lacking advanced narrative report authoring tools
- Steep learning curve for non-expert users customizing reports
- High cost may not justify for report-only use cases
Best For
Mid-to-large enterprises with vulnerability management needs that require integrated, automated security reporting.
Pricing
Custom enterprise pricing, typically $2,000-$3,000 per 100 assets annually, with volume discounts.
Greenbone
specializedOpen-source vulnerability management system providing comprehensive scan reports and alerts.
Real-time vulnerability intelligence feed with over 200,000 tests for precise, up-to-date reporting
Greenbone (greenbone.net) is an open-source vulnerability management platform primarily focused on network vulnerability scanning using tools like OpenVAS. It generates detailed security reports based on scan results, including vulnerability details, risk levels, CVSS scores, and remediation advice in formats like PDF, HTML, and CSV. While effective for automated reporting tied to scans, it lacks advanced customization tools for general security report writing outside of vulnerability data.
Pros
- Free open-source Community Edition with no licensing costs
- Comprehensive reports with accurate vulnerability intelligence from extensive NVT feed
- Seamless integration of scanning and reporting workflows
Cons
- Steep learning curve for setup and configuration
- Limited report customization beyond scan outputs
- Web interface feels dated and less intuitive for report editing
Best For
Small to medium-sized security teams needing affordable, automated vulnerability assessment reports integrated with scanning.
Pricing
Community Edition is free; Enterprise Appliances and subscriptions start at around €2,500/year for professional support and features.
Conclusion
After evaluating the top tools, Dradis leads as the best choice, offering a collaborative framework to organize security data and generate customizable reports. AttackForge follows, excelling in automating penetration testing workflows and client delivery, while Faraday stands out for its integrated vulnerability management and reporting, ideal for collaborative teams. Each tool suits specific needs, but Dradis proves the top pick for comprehensive, tailored security reporting.
Take your security reporting to the next level—explore Dradis to streamline processes, enhance collaboration, and deliver professional, impactful results.
Tools Reviewed
All tools were independently evaluated for this comparison
