# Cobalt, Test IO vs Applause Comparison

| | Cobalt | Test IO | Applause | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Star Rating** | 4.5 out of 5 | 4.3 out of 5 | 4.4 out of 5 | 
| **Total Reviews** | 177 | 73 | 39 | 
| **Largest Market Segment** | Mid-Market (54.9% of reviews) | Mid-Market (57.7% of reviews) | Mid-Market (44.7% of reviews) | 
| **Entry Level Price** | Contact Us | No pricing available | No pricing available | 

---
## Top Pros & Cons

### Cobalt

Pros:
- Pentesting Efficiency (50 reviews)
- Customer Support (40 reviews)

Cons:
- Expensive (14 reviews)
- Limited Scope (8 reviews)

### Test IO

**Not enough data**

### Applause

**Not enough data**

---
## Ratings Comparison
| Rating | Cobalt | Test IO | Applause | 
|---|---|---|---|
  | **Meets Requirements** | 9.3 (132 reviews) | 8.6 (67 reviews) | 8.9 (37 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Use** | 9.2 (133 reviews) | 8.1 (68 reviews) | 8.1 (37 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Setup** | 9.1 (123 reviews) | 7.8 (41 reviews) | 8.6 (21 reviews) | 
  | **Ease of Admin** | 9.3 (86 reviews) | 8.2 (37 reviews) | 8.3 (22 reviews) | 
  | **Quality of Support** | 9.2 (131 reviews) | 9.0 (67 reviews) | 9.4 (36 reviews) | 
  | **Has the product been a good partner in doing business?** | 9.3 (87 reviews) | 9.2 (37 reviews) | 9.0 (22 reviews) | 
  | **Product Direction (% positive)** | 8.7 (120 reviews) | 7.7 (67 reviews) | 8.7 (37 reviews) | 

---
## Pricing

### Cobalt

#### Entry-Level Pricing

Plan: Standard

Price: Contact Us

Description: For teams in need of a speedy, annual pentest to meet a compliance need or client request.

Key Features:
- SAML-Based SSO
- User And Group Access Controls
- Best Practice Methodology + Coverage Checklist

[Browse all 3 editions](https://www.g2.com/products/cobalt-io-cobalt/pricing)

#### Free Trial

No

### Test IO

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

No information available

### Applause

#### Entry-Level Pricing

No pricing available

#### Free Trial

No information available

---
## Features Comparison By Category

### Penetration Testing

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Cobalt** | 8.8/10 | 109 |
| **Test IO** | N/A | N/A |
| **Applause** | N/A | N/A |

#### Administration

| Feature | Cobalt | Test IO | Applause | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **API / Integrations** | 8.1 (80 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Extensibility** | Feature Not Available | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Reporting and Analytics** | 9.2 (93 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Analysis

| Feature | Cobalt | Test IO | Applause | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Issue Tracking** | 9.0 (91 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Reconnaissance** | 8.8 (84 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Vulnerability Scan** | 8.7 (75 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Testing

| Feature | Cobalt | Test IO | Applause | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Command-Line Tools** | Feature Not Available | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Manual Testing** | 8.4 (89 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Test Automation** | Feature Not Available | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Performance and Reliability** | 9.1 (92 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST)

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Cobalt** | 8.7/10 | 8 |
| **Test IO** | N/A | N/A |
| **Applause** | N/A | N/A |

#### Administration

| Feature | Cobalt | Test IO | Applause | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **API / Integrations** | 8.6 (7 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Extensibility** | 8.6 (7 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Analysis

| Feature | Cobalt | Test IO | Applause | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Reporting and Analytics** | 9.0 (7 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Issue Tracking** | 9.0 (7 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Static Code Analysis** | 8.8 (7 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Vulnerability Scan** | 9.0 (7 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Code Analysis** | 8.6 (7 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Testing

| Feature | Cobalt | Test IO | Applause | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Manual Testing** | 8.6 (7 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Test Automation** | 8.9 (6 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Compliance Testing** | 8.8 (7 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Black-Box Scanning** | 8.5 (8 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Detection Rate** | 8.6 (7 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **False Positives** | 8.6 (7 reviews) | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### Crowd Testing Tools

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Cobalt** | N/A | N/A |
| **Test IO** | 8.1/10 | 36 |
| **Applause** | N/A | N/A |

#### Functionality

| Feature | Cobalt | Test IO | Applause | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Crowd Testing** | Not enough data | 8.8 (35 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Feedback Tracking** | Not enough data | 8.1 (30 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Integration** | Not enough data | 7.4 (28 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Requirements** | Not enough data | 7.8 (27 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Logging** | Not enough data | 7.9 (27 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Admin

| Feature | Cobalt | Test IO | Applause | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Test Analysis** | Not enough data | 8.5 (27 reviews) | Not enough data | 

### Mobile App Testing

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Cobalt** | N/A | N/A |
| **Test IO** | 7.2/10 | 9 |
| **Applause** | N/A | N/A |

#### Functionality

| Feature | Cobalt | Test IO | Applause | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Test Feedback** | Not enough data | 7.7 (8 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Test Variety** | Not enough data | 6.9 (8 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Emulation** | Not enough data | 6.4 (7 reviews) | Not enough data | 

#### Management

| Feature | Cobalt | Test IO | Applause | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Test History** | Not enough data | 7.9 (8 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Automation** | Not enough data | 7.2 (6 reviews) | Not enough data | 
| **Organization** | Not enough data | 7.1 (7 reviews) | Not enough data | 

### Automation Testing

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Cobalt** | N/A | N/A |
| **Test IO** | N/A | N/A |
| **Applause** | N/A | N/A |

#### Functionality 

| Feature | Cobalt | Test IO | Applause | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Test Feedback** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Test History** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Customization** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Test Variety** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Automation

| Feature | Cobalt | Test IO | Applause | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Organization** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Reliability** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Thoroughness** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

#### Agentic AI - Automation Testing

| Feature | Cobalt | Test IO | Applause | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Autonomous Task Execution** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Natural Language Interaction** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Proactive Assistance** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

### Software Testing

| Product | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|
| **Cobalt** | N/A | N/A |
| **Test IO** | N/A | N/A |
| **Applause** | N/A | N/A |

#### Agentic AI - Software Testing

| Feature | Cobalt | Test IO | Applause | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Autonomous Task Execution** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Natural Language Interaction** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 
| **Proactive Assistance** | Not enough data | Not enough data | Not enough data | 

---
## Categories
**Shared Categories (1):** [Crowd Testing Tools](https://www.g2.com/categories/crowd-testing-tools)

**Unique to Cobalt (2):** [Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/dynamic-application-security-testing-dast), [Penetration Testing Tools](https://www.g2.com/categories/penetration-testing-tools)

**Unique to Test IO (3):** [Mobile App Testing Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/mobile-app-testing), [Software Testing Tools](https://www.g2.com/categories/software-testing), [Automation Testing Tools](https://www.g2.com/categories/automation-testing-tools)

**Unique to Applause (3):** [Mobile App Testing Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/mobile-app-testing), [Software Testing Tools](https://www.g2.com/categories/software-testing), [Automation Testing Tools](https://www.g2.com/categories/automation-testing-tools)


---
## Reviewer Demographics

### By Company Size

| Segment | Cobalt | Test IO | Applause | 
|---|---|---|---|
| **Small-Business** | 24.4% | 32.4% | 23.7% | 
| **Mid-Market** | 54.9% | 57.7% | 44.7% | 
| **Enterprise** | 20.7% | 9.9% | 31.6% | 

### By Industry

#### Cobalt

- **Computer Software:** 26.7%
- **Information Technology and Services:** 20.5%
- **Financial Services:** 8.7%
- **Hospital & Health Care:** 4.3%
- **Health, Wellness and Fitness:** 2.5%
- **Telecommunications:** 2.5%
- **Insurance:** 2.5%
- **Oil & Energy:** 2.5%
- **Computer & Network Security:** 2.5%
- **Marketing and Advertising:** 2.5%
- **Other:** 24.8%

#### Test IO

- **Retail:** 12.7%
- **Computer Software:** 8.5%
- **Information Technology and Services:** 8.5%
- **Financial Services:** 5.6%
- **Entertainment:** 5.6%
- **E-Learning:** 5.6%
- **Internet:** 5.6%
- **Health, Wellness and Fitness:** 4.2%
- **Consumer Goods:** 4.2%
- **Marketing and Advertising:** 4.2%
- **Other:** 35.2%

#### Applause

- **Computer Software:** 10.5%
- **Retail:** 7.9%
- **Information Technology and Services:** 7.9%
- **Telecommunications:** 5.3%
- **Computer Games:** 5.3%
- **Internet:** 5.3%
- **Consumer Goods:** 5.3%
- **Health, Wellness and Fitness:** 5.3%
- **Airlines/Aviation:** 2.6%
- **Automotive:** 2.6%
- **Other:** 42.1%

---
## Alternatives

### Alternatives to Cobalt

- [Intruder](https://www.g2.com/products/intruder/reviews) — 4.8/5 stars (206 reviews)
- [GitLab](https://www.g2.com/products/gitlab/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (890 reviews)
- [Tenable Nessus](https://www.g2.com/products/tenable-nessus/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (301 reviews)
- [Astra Pentest](https://www.g2.com/products/astra-pentest/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (185 reviews)
- [vPenTest](https://www.g2.com/products/vpentest/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (231 reviews)
- [Pentest-Tools.com](https://www.g2.com/products/pentest-tools-com/reviews) — 4.8/5 stars (100 reviews)
- [Prolific](https://www.g2.com/products/prolific/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (237 reviews)
- [Acunetix by Invicti](https://www.g2.com/products/acunetix-by-invicti/reviews) — 4.1/5 stars (105 reviews)
- [Pentera](https://www.g2.com/products/pentera/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (151 reviews)
- [Lyssna](https://www.g2.com/products/lyssna/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (178 reviews)

### Alternatives to Test IO

- [Testlio](https://www.g2.com/products/testlio/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (75 reviews)
- [Rainforest QA](https://www.g2.com/products/rainforest-rainforest-qa/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (168 reviews)
- [TestRail](https://www.g2.com/products/testrail/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (611 reviews)
- [BrowserStack](https://www.g2.com/products/browserstack/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (3293 reviews)
- [Xcode](https://www.g2.com/products/xcode/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (1034 reviews)
- [UiPath Agentic Automation](https://www.g2.com/products/uipath-agentic-automation/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (7568 reviews)
- [Postman](https://www.g2.com/products/postman/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (1773 reviews)
- [Panaya Smart Testing and Change Intelligence](https://www.g2.com/products/panaya-smart-testing-and-change-intelligence/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (507 reviews)
- [Agentforce 360 Platform (formerly Salesforce Platform)](https://www.g2.com/products/agentforce-360-platform-formerly-salesforce-platform/reviews) — 4.5/5 stars (4001 reviews)
- [Tuskr](https://www.g2.com/products/tuskr/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (563 reviews)

### Alternatives to Applause

- [Testlio](https://www.g2.com/products/testlio/reviews) — 4.7/5 stars (75 reviews)
- [Sauce Labs](https://www.g2.com/products/sauce-labs/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (178 reviews)
- [Rainforest QA](https://www.g2.com/products/rainforest-rainforest-qa/reviews) — 4.3/5 stars (168 reviews)
- [TestRail](https://www.g2.com/products/testrail/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (611 reviews)
- [Perfecto](https://www.g2.com/products/perfecto/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (95 reviews)
- [BrowserStack](https://www.g2.com/products/browserstack/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (3293 reviews)
- [Global App Testing](https://www.g2.com/products/global-app-testing/reviews) — 4.4/5 stars (66 reviews)
- [Xcode](https://www.g2.com/products/xcode/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (1034 reviews)
- [Postman](https://www.g2.com/products/postman/reviews) — 4.6/5 stars (1773 reviews)
- [TestComplete](https://www.g2.com/products/testcomplete/reviews) — 4.2/5 stars (97 reviews)

---
## Top Discussions

### Cobalt

No discussions available for this product.

### Test IO

- Title: [What are the key skills of a software tester?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-are-the-key-skills-of-a-software-tester) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "Ordered accessibility testing services to make my business more accessible to all users. The business became successful with..."
- Title: [How do you test software functionality?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/how-do-you-test-software-functionality) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "Test IO offers unparalleled flexibility and capability in regards to being able to meet any functional testing needs. Manual testing, crowdtesting,..."
- Title: [How much can you make on test io?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/how-much-can-you-make-on-test-io) — 1 comment
  > **Top comment:** "Money earned is based on both the number of unique bugs reported, and the type and severity of the bugs. More information can be found here:..."
- Title: [What is crowdtesting?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-crowdtesting) — 1 comment, 1 upvote *(includes official response)*
  > **Top comment:** "Crowdtesting (or crowdsourced testing), is a practice that harnesses the efficiency and advantages of crowdsourcing for software testing. Software such as..."
- Title: [What kind of testing does test IO offer?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-kind-of-testing-does-test-io-offer) — 1 comment, 1 upvote *(includes official response)*
  > **Top comment:** "test IO can provide support with regression testing, functional testing, beta testing, usability testing, exploratory testing, black box testing, website..."

### Applause

- Title: [How best we can integrate Applause to our CI/CD pipeline](https://www.g2.com/discussions/13569-how-best-we-can-integrate-applause-to-our-ci-cd-pipeline) — 1 comment, 1 upvote
  > **Top comment:** "At our company we work using CI/CD based on 2 weeks sprints. WE use applause as remote testing platform basically for Exploratory  testing on Staging..."

---
**Source:** [G2.com](https://www.g2.com) | [Comparison Page](https://www.g2.com/compare/cobalt-io-cobalt-vs-test-io-vs-applause)