System Requirements and Prerequisites

Before installing OWASP ZAP, verifying your system meets the minimum requirements prevents frustration and ensures smooth operation. ZAP requires Java 11 or later, though the installer packages include appropriate Java versions for most platforms. For optimal performance, your system should have at least 4GB of RAM, though 8GB or more is recommended for scanning large applications. Disk space requirements are modest, with the base installation requiring approximately 200MB, though scan data and session files can consume additional gigabytes depending on usage.

Operating system compatibility spans a wide range, with ZAP supporting Windows 7 and later, macOS 10.12 (Sierra) and later, and most modern Linux distributions. 64-bit operating systems are strongly recommended as they allow ZAP to utilize more memory for complex scans. Network connectivity is essential for downloading the installer and receiving updates, though ZAP can operate offline once installed. Proxy configurations in corporate environments may require additional setup to allow ZAP to communicate with target applications and update servers.

Hardware requirements scale with your testing needs. While ZAP can run on modest hardware for basic testing, intensive active scanning of large applications benefits from multi-core processors and ample RAM. Solid-state drives (SSDs) improve performance when working with large session files or extensive scan histories. For automated testing in CI/CD pipelines, consider dedicating a machine or virtual instance with resources appropriate to your scan frequency and application complexity.