CISO Tribune

Vendor comparison · 2 companies

Contrast Security vs PreEmptive Solutions

Contrast Security sells an Application and API Security platform built to detect and stop live application-layer attacks. PreEmptive Solutions sells application hardening tools for .NET, Android, Java, and JavaScript environments. CISO Tribune files both under Application shielding and RASP. This page sets the two records side by side: what each sells, where it is based, who owns and funds it, the customers it names and its recent news, each fact numbered to its source.

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Up to four companies side by side.

  • Contrast Security
  • PreEmptive Solutions
Contrast Security vs PreEmptive Solutions: Products, Customers and Funding Compared
Contrast SecurityContrast Security sells an Application and API Security platform built to detect and stop live application-layer attacks.contrastsecurity.comPreEmptive SolutionsPreEmptive Solutions sells application hardening tools for .NET, Android, Java, and JavaScript environments.preemptive.com
What it sells
  • Contrast One[8]A managed Application Security service from Contrast Security.
  • Dotfuscator[2][7][8]Dotfuscator protects .NET and C# applications from reverse engineering, code tampering, and unauthorized debugging.
  • DashO[2][9]DashO protects Android, Java, and Kotlin applications from reverse engineering, code tampering, and unauthorized debugging.
  • JSDefender[2][10]JSDefender hardens JavaScript against reverse engineering, tampering, and unauthorized debugging.
Categories
Headquarters
Not stated on its pagesNot stated on its pages
Founded
2014[2]1996[1][6]
Ownership and funding
Not stated on its pagesOwned by Idera, Inc. since 2021[1][6]
Named customers
Not stated on its pagesNot stated on its pages
Recent news
Not stated on its pagesNot stated on its pages
G2 and Gartner Peer Insights
  • G2: listed, seen October 24, 2026[3]
  • Gartner Peer Insights: Not stated on its pages
  • G2: Not stated on its pages
  • Gartner Peer Insights: Not stated on its pages
Who it fits
From its own pages, Contrast Security sells mainly to security and engineering teams, bringing Dev, AppSec and SecOps around a shared view of what happens inside applications. Its pages say CEOs look to CISOs to solve the problem of application vulnerability breaches, and that more CISOs look to Contrast. The customers it names include a banking platform provider and a financial institution handling sensitive customer data. Contrast One is offered to organizations that lack the resources to build a comprehensive AppSec team.PreEmptive states that it supports organizations in finance, healthcare, government, and other regulated environments. Organizations running mixed technology stacks across .NET, Android, Java, and JavaScript fall within the audience PreEmptive describes. Dotfuscator runs fully on-premise within the development or build environment of the customer. Plans for JSDefender are based on the number of applications, users, and development teams to be covered.
Last verified
November 2, 2026October 23, 2026

Where they overlap

  • Application shielding and RASP is the primary category of both Contrast Security and PreEmptive Solutions.

Where they differ, field by field

  • Contrast Security is also filed under Dynamic application security testing.
  • Contrast Security lists Contrast One. PreEmptive Solutions lists Dotfuscator, DashO and JSDefender.
  • Contrast Security was founded in 2014. PreEmptive Solutions was founded in 1996.
  • PreEmptive Solutions is owned by Idera, Inc., since 2021.

How they differ

CISO Tribune files both Contrast Security and PreEmptive Solutions under Application shielding and RASP as the primary category, and Contrast Security also appears under Dynamic application security testing. Contrast Security sells an Application and API Security platform that uses in-app sensors to detect and stop live application-layer attacks. It also sells Contrast One, a managed Application Security service. PreEmptive Solutions sells build-time hardening tools: Dotfuscator for .NET and C#, DashO for Android, Java, and Kotlin, and JSDefender for JavaScript.

The approaches differ in where they work. Contrast Security says it protects software from within, through runtime instrumentation of running applications. PreEmptive Solutions applies layered obfuscation and runtime protections during the build process and integrates into CI/CD workflows. Dotfuscator runs fully on-premise within the development or build environment. Contrast Security hosts its application services and data on Amazon Web Services facilities in the United States, Europe, the UK and Japan.

Contrast Security was founded in 2014, and PreEmptive Solutions was founded in 1996. PreEmptive Solutions has been owned by Idera, Inc. since 2021 and is now part of Sembi. Contrast Security names Citizens Bank, Backbase and AARP among its customers, and Backbase uses Contrast Application Detection and Response on its banking platform. PreEmptive Solutions says it supports organizations in finance, healthcare, government, and other regulated environments. Contrast Security lists a free tier limited to one user and two applications, and Pro starts at $750 a month billed annually.

What it sells: Contrast Security

What Contrast One does[8]
Contrast One is a managed Application Security service. It is available for Application Security Testing and Application Detection and Response.

What it sells: PreEmptive Solutions

What Dotfuscator does[2][7][8]
Dotfuscator applies obfuscation, encryption, and runtime protection to .NET and C# applications. Dotfuscator is fully on-premise, and all processing happens locally within the development or build environment. Dotfuscator integrates directly with Microsoft Visual Studio. Dotfuscator supports desktop, mobile, cloud, and IoT applications built on .NET Framework, modern .NET versions, MAUI, ASP.NET Core, and more.
What DashO does[2][9]
Applied at build time, DashO adds layered protections that make deployed applications harder to analyze, modify, and exploit. DashO integrates through Gradle, Maven, or command line tools. DashO encrypts selected strings in compiled code and decrypts them at runtime. DashO detects rooted devices, emulators, and hooking frameworks, then responds based on configuration.
What JSDefender does[2][10]
JSDefender combines configurable code obfuscation with runtime defenses such as tamper detection, DevTools blocking, domain locking, and date locking. JSDefender performs protection within the development or build environment, so source code does not need to be submitted to an online obfuscation service. JSDefender can run through the command-line interface or supported build-tool integrations.

Questions about Contrast Security and PreEmptive Solutions

What do Contrast Security and PreEmptive Solutions sell?
Contrast Security sells Contrast One. PreEmptive Solutions sells Dotfuscator, DashO and JSDefender.
Are Contrast Security and PreEmptive Solutions in the same category?
Yes. Application shielding and RASP is the primary category of both on CISO Tribune.
When were Contrast Security and PreEmptive Solutions founded?
Contrast Security was founded in 2014. PreEmptive Solutions was founded in 1996.
Who owns Contrast Security and PreEmptive Solutions?
PreEmptive Solutions is owned by Idera, Inc., since 2021.
Who are Contrast Security and PreEmptive Solutions sold to?
From its own pages, Contrast Security sells mainly to security and engineering teams, bringing Dev, AppSec and SecOps around a shared view of what happens inside applications. PreEmptive states that it supports organizations in finance, healthcare, government, and other regulated environments.

About Contrast Security

Contrast Security sells an Application and API Security platform built to detect and stop live application-layer attacks. Contrast Security delivers real-time visibility and protection from inside running applications, using patented in-app sensors and a unified platform for Application Detection and Response and Application Security Testing. Contrast Security says that, unlike legacy tools that operate outside the application, it protects software from within.[4]

The approach rests on runtime instrumentation. Contrast instruments an application from within and observes every method, every request and every attack path as it happens. Contrast also says it reports only verified, exploitable vulnerabilities with a fix attached. The Contrast Graph links active attacks to specific lines of code in real time.[1][5]

CVE Shield deploys inside running applications without requiring code changes. CVE Shield operates within the application runtime to detect and block exploitation attempts against known vulnerabilities in third-party libraries. CVE Shield starts with Java applications on Linux-based systems. The free tier is limited to one user and up to two applications, and it provides real-time monitoring in observation mode with no automated blocking. Blocking mode is available in the Pro and Enterprise plans. Pro is a flat annual price starting at $750 a month billed annually.[1][6][7]

Contrast One is a managed Application Security service launched by Contrast Security. Contrast One is available for Application Security Testing and Application Detection and Response.[8]

Contrast Security was launched by its founder, Jeff Williams. Jeff Williams helped create OWASP in 2001. Contrast names Citizens Bank, Backbase and AARP among the companies that follow his plan. Backbase integrated Contrast Application Detection and Response to gain real-time visibility into attacks on its banking platform. Fortuneo replaced manual testing with Contrast automated, real-time protection.[4][9]

On data handling, Contrast agents minimize the data collected by reporting only confirmed vulnerabilities to the Contrast Team Server. Contrast hosts its application services and data on Amazon Web Services facilities in the United States, Europe, the UK and Japan.[1][4][5][8][9][10][11][12]

Contrast Security on the record

Sources

Contrast Security full record

  1. [1]contrastsecurity.comContrast Security · contrastsecurity.com · undated page, accessed September 27, 2026 · Tier A
  2. [2]Contrast security recognized by the 2023 gartner peer insights voice of the customer for application security testing 302008541Contrast Security via PR Newswire · prnewswire.com · published December 7, 2023 · Tier A
  3. [3]Contrast Security Reviews & Product Details - G2G2 · undated page, accessed October 24, 2026 · Tier C
  4. [4]About Us | Get Secure Code Moving | Contrast SecurityContrast Security · undated page, accessed November 3, 2026 · Tier A
  5. [5]Runtime Application Security for AI-Generated Code | Contrast SecurityContrast Security · undated page, accessed November 3, 2026 · Tier A
  6. [6]Protect Applications from CVEs | Contrast SecurityContrast Security · undated page, accessed November 3, 2026 · Tier A
  7. [7]Contrast Security Pricing and Packaging | Application Security Pricing | Contrast SecurityContrast Security · undated page, accessed November 3, 2026 · Tier A
  8. [8]Managed Application Security Launched by Contrast SecurityContrast Security · published October 23, 2024 · Tier A
  9. [9]Customers | Customer Success Stories | Contrast SecurityContrast Security · undated page, accessed November 3, 2026 · Tier A
  10. [10]Contrast Security Honored with Inaugural Wiz Integrations (WIN) Partner AwardContrast Security · published July 30, 2025 · Tier A
  11. [11]Trust Center | Security PracticesContrast Security · undated page, accessed November 3, 2026 · Tier A
  12. [12]CISO Should Prioritize AppSec | Contrast SecurityContrast Security · undated page, accessed November 3, 2026 · Tier A

PreEmptive Solutions full record

  1. [1]CompanyPreEmptive Solutions · preemptive.com · undated page, accessed October 23, 2026 · Tier A
  2. [2]preemptive.comPreEmptive Solutions · preemptive.com · undated page, accessed October 23, 2026 · Tier A
  3. [3]Platform Overview – PreEmptivePreEmptive · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  4. [4]Leaders in Application Security & Protection | PreEmptivePreEmptive · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  5. [5]Mobile App Security You Can TrustPreEmptive · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  6. [6]Company – PreEmptivePreEmptive · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  7. [7]Dotfuscator for .NET | MAUI – PreEmptivePreEmptive · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  8. [8]Compare Dotfuscator Editions – PreEmptivePreEmptive · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  9. [9]Android Obfuscation and Java Security with DashOPreEmptive · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  10. [10]JSDefender: Professional-Grade JavaScript Code ProtectionPreEmptive · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  11. [11]Compliance and Regulatory Protection – PreEmptivePreEmptive · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A

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