DVWA vs NodeGoat
Web security training labs compared
DVWA and NodeGoat are deliberately vulnerable web applications for practicing application security in a controlled environment. DVWA focuses on common web vulnerabilities with difficulty levels, while NodeGoat teaches OWASP Top 10 risks and ways to fix them in a Node.js app.
DVWA: Practice Web Application Security in a PHP/MariaDB Lab
DVWA is a deliberately vulnerable PHP/MariaDB web application for security professionals, developers, students, and teachers to practice common web vulnerabilities. Its difficulty levels and Docker setup make it useful for controlled training, not public deployment.
NodeGoat: Learn OWASP Top 10 Security in Node.js Apps
OWASP NodeGoat is a Node.js web application for learning how OWASP Top 10 risks affect web apps and how to address them. It pairs a deliberately vulnerable app with tutorials for hands-on security practice.
| DVWA | NodeGoat | |
|---|---|---|
| Language | PHP | HTML |
| License | GPL-3.0 | Apache-2.0 |
| Stars | 13.9k | 2.1k |
| Forks | 5.2k | 3.1k |
| Last analyzed | Oct 24, 2026 | Oct 25, 2026 |
Key differences
- DVWA is built with PHP and MariaDB; NodeGoat is a Node.js application that uses MongoDB for its documented local setup.
- DVWA offers challenges at different difficulty levels, including some intentionally undocumented vulnerabilities; NodeGoat pairs its vulnerable app with an OWASP Top 10 tutorial, source-code comments, and fix guidance.
- DVWA can run with Docker Compose or on a PHP and MariaDB stack; NodeGoat supports Docker Compose, local Node.js and MongoDB setup, and Heroku deployment instructions.
- DVWA uses the GPL-3.0 license, while NodeGoat uses Apache-2.0.
- DVWA’s repository remains active with regular commits and merged contributions; NodeGoat has had no commits in over a year, with limited recent issue and pull request activity.
- DVWA is presented for security professionals, developers, students, and teachers; NodeGoat focuses on developers and learners studying security risks in Node.js apps.
Choose DVWA if you…
- need difficulty levels and a mix of documented and undocumented vulnerability challenges.
- want a PHP and MariaDB lab with Docker Compose or manual setup options.
- prefer a project whose repository remains active with regular commits and merged contributions.
Choose NodeGoat if you…
- want to study OWASP Top 10 risks and practice fixing them in a Node.js app.
- need a built-in tutorial and source-code comments to guide vulnerability exercises.
- want deployment options that include Docker Compose or Heroku instructions.
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This comparison is generated with AI from the OSRepos analyses of both projects. Always check each project's repository and documentation before choosing.