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BastionLLM vs. Promptfoo: Which LLM Security Tool Fits Your Team?

Both BastionLLM and Promptfoo test LLM endpoints for prompt injection and jailbreak risk. This guide explains which one fits your workflow in 2026.

Table of Contents

You shipped an LLM feature. Now you need to test it for prompt injection, jailbreaks, and system prompt leaks before someone else finds the vulnerabilities first.

Two tools dominate developer discussions in 2026: BastionLLM and Promptfoo. Both test LLM endpoints for security weaknesses, but they take different approaches. One offers SaaS simplicity with continuous monitoring. The other provides open-source flexibility with local control.

This comparison covers setup complexity, attack coverage, CI/CD integration, ongoing monitoring, and pricing to help you pick the right tool for your team.

Quick Comparison

FeatureBastionLLMPromptfoo
DeploymentSaaS platformLocal CLI/Docker
Setup Time5 minutes30-60 minutes
Attack Groups6 groups (Garak-inspired)Configurable datasets
Continuous ScansWeekly automatedManual/CI only
PricingEUR 49/month or EUR 449/year ProFree open-source
OWASP LLM01Full coverageConfigurable
Report ExportPDF/JSONJSON/CSV

Setup and Configuration

BastionLLM requires minimal setup. You configure your endpoint URL, payload schema, and response parsing through a web interface. The tool handles authentication with API keys or challenge tokens. You can test any LLM endpoint regardless of provider within minutes.

Promptfoo demands more technical setup. You install the CLI, create configuration files, define test datasets, and configure evaluation criteria. The initial setup takes longer but gives you granular control over test parameters and custom attack vectors.

For teams that want to start testing immediately, BastionLLM removes setup friction. For teams that need custom test scenarios or prefer local control, Promptfoo offers more flexibility.

Attack Coverage and Testing

Both tools cover standard LLM security vectors but with different approaches.

BastionLLM includes six attack groups inspired by the Garak framework:

  • Prompt injection (OWASP LLM01 direct and indirect)
  • DAN attacks and role-play manipulation
  • System prompt leak detection
  • Jailbreak attempts
  • Safety bypass testing
  • Web injection vectors

The tool runs these attacks automatically and returns pass/fail verdicts with raw responses for analysis.

Promptfoo uses configurable test datasets. You define your own attack vectors or use community datasets. This approach works well if you need specific attack scenarios or want to test against custom threat models.

BastionLLM provides comprehensive coverage out of the box. Promptfoo requires you to build or source your attack datasets but offers unlimited customization.

CI/CD Integration

Promptfoo excels at CI/CD integration. The CLI tool fits naturally into build pipelines. You can run tests on every commit, fail builds based on security thresholds, and generate reports for each deployment.

BastionLLM handles CI/CD differently. While it does not offer direct CLI integration, you can trigger scans via API calls and retrieve results programmatically. The JSON export format works with most reporting systems.

For teams with existing CI/CD workflows, Promptfoo integrates more naturally. For teams that prefer scheduled testing over build-time checks, BastionLLM's automated approach reduces pipeline complexity.

Continuous Monitoring

This is where the tools differ most significantly.

BastionLLM offers scheduled weekly scans that run automatically. You configure your endpoints once, and the platform continuously tests them for new vulnerabilities. Reports include up to one year of scan history, letting you track security posture over time.

Promptfoo requires manual execution or CI/CD triggers. There is no built-in scheduling for ongoing security validation. You must implement your own automation if you want continuous monitoring.

For production LLM features that need ongoing security validation, BastionLLM's continuous monitoring provides coverage without manual intervention. Promptfoo works better for point-in-time testing during development.

Pricing and Value

Promptfoo is open-source and free. You handle hosting, maintenance, and updates yourself. For teams with technical resources and specific requirements, this offers maximum value.

BastionLLM charges EUR 49/month (or EUR 449/year), tax included, for the Pro tier. This includes:

  • 3 saved endpoints
  • All attack groups
  • Weekly automated scans
  • 1 year scan history
  • PDF/JSON report export

The free tier offers 1 endpoint and 25 attacks across all categories for basic testing. The Pro plan includes a 30-day trial. A card is required at checkout; billing starts when the trial ends. The free tier needs no card.

Choose Promptfoo if you need zero-cost testing and have time for setup and maintenance. Choose BastionLLM if you want managed security testing with continuous coverage.

When to Choose Each Tool

Choose BastionLLM if you:

  • Want to start testing LLM security immediately
  • Need continuous monitoring for production endpoints
  • Prefer managed SaaS over self-hosted tools
  • Want comprehensive attack coverage without configuration
  • Have budget for security tooling (EUR 49/month)
  • Support multiple LLM providers (OpenAI, Anthropic, open-source)

Choose Promptfoo if you:

  • Need complete control over test scenarios
  • Want to integrate deeply with existing CI/CD pipelines
  • Prefer open-source tools and local deployment
  • Have specific attack vectors not covered by standard frameworks
  • Want zero recurring costs
  • Have technical resources for setup and maintenance

Both tools handle the core requirement: testing LLM endpoints for security vulnerabilities. Your choice depends on whether you prioritize simplicity and continuous monitoring (BastionLLM) or flexibility and local control (Promptfoo).

For teams shipping LLM features quickly and needing ongoing security validation, BastionLLM provides automated coverage with minimal setup. For teams with specific testing requirements and existing CI/CD infrastructure, Promptfoo offers maximum customization.

You can start testing your LLM endpoints today with either tool. BastionLLM offers a free tier with no credit card, and a 30-day Pro trial that requires a card at checkout. Learn more at bastionllm.com.

FAQs

Can I use both tools together?

Yes. Many teams use Promptfoo for custom CI/CD testing and BastionLLM for continuous production monitoring. They complement each other well.

Which tool covers OWASP LLM01 better?

Both provide OWASP LLM01 coverage. BastionLLM includes it automatically in all scans. Promptfoo requires configuration but offers more granular control over test scenarios.

Do these tools work with streaming responses?

BastionLLM supports SSE and NDJSON streaming formats natively. Promptfoo can handle streaming with proper configuration.

Which tool is better for startups?

BastionLLM fits most startup needs with quick setup and automated monitoring. Promptfoo works better if you have dedicated DevOps resources and specific testing requirements.

Can I export test results from both tools?

Yes. BastionLLM exports PDF and JSON reports. Promptfoo exports JSON and CSV formats. Both integrate with common reporting systems.

How do attack frameworks compare between the tools?

BastionLLM uses Garak-inspired attack groups covering standard vectors. Promptfoo lets you define custom attack datasets or use community frameworks.

Which tool handles authentication better?

Both support API key authentication. BastionLLM also handles challenge-token auth. Promptfoo offers more authentication customization options.

Conclusion

BastionLLM and Promptfoo both test LLM endpoints for security vulnerabilities, but they serve different team needs.

Choose BastionLLM for managed security testing with continuous monitoring. The SaaS platform removes setup complexity and provides ongoing coverage for production endpoints.

Choose Promptfoo for maximum flexibility and CI/CD integration. The open-source tool offers complete control over test scenarios and zero recurring costs.

Your LLM features need security testing regardless of which tool you choose. Start with the approach that matches your team's resources and requirements.

OWASP LLM Top 10: Complete Security Guide

Get the full reference for prompt injection attacks, LLM jailbreaks, system prompt leaks, and OWASP-aligned testing workflows in one pillar guide.

Read the OWASP LLM Top 10 guide