Best 3 HTTP Methods Auditor Tools Compared

You want to check which HTTP methods an API endpoint actually allows — GET, POST, PUT, DELETE, and potentially risky ones like TRACE — to verify unnecessary methods aren’t exposed as unintended attack surface.

Every checker here probes an endpoint’s allowed methods; the differences are in whether security context is provided alongside the raw results, how the check is performed (OPTIONS preflight versus individual method probes), and whether broader endpoint health data comes bundled in.

How to judge an HTTP methods auditor tool

Explains the security implications, not just the raw list. Knowing that TRACE or unrestricted PUT/DELETE are enabled is only useful if you also understand why that matters — a tool that flags risky methods with context is more actionable than a bare list.

Tests methods directly, not just relies on the OPTIONS response. Some servers return an incomplete or misleading OPTIONS response — probing individual methods directly gives a more reliable picture of what’s actually allowed.

Doesn’t require signup for a quick security check. This is typically a fast diagnostic task during development or a security review — unnecessary account creation adds friction.

Bundles related security context if useful. Security headers, CORS configuration, and allowed methods are related concerns — a tool checking several at once can be more efficient than separate single-purpose checks.

The comparison

Facts checked August 2026; tools change their plans.

S4E.io

S4E.io scans a domain or IP address using the OPTIONS method to find the list of supported HTTP methods, returning results in about 5 seconds, with clear security guidance noting that DELETE, PUT, TRACE, and TRACK should typically be disabled if unused, and that even OPTIONS itself can be worth disabling since it reveals server capabilities — free with no signup required for the scan itself.

It isn’t for someone who wants combined broader endpoint health checks — its focus is specifically the methods scan rather than security headers or CORS analysis.

exit1.dev

exit1.dev sends a request to any URL testing your chosen HTTP method (GET, POST, HEAD, etc.), reporting status, response time, HTTP headers, a security headers grade (A+ to F evaluating HSTS, Content-Security-Policy, X-Frame-Options, and more), CORS configuration, caching headers, and redirect chain — completely free with no registration and no daily limits.

It isn’t for someone who wants an automated scan across every method at once — you select and test one method per request rather than getting a full methods-allowed list in a single pass.

PinusX

PinusX lets you enter an API URL, select the HTTP method, add custom headers or body data, and send the request directly in your browser with no downloads or account required — useful for manually verifying exactly how an endpoint responds to a specific method with specific headers.

It isn’t for someone who wants an automated audit across all methods at once — it’s a manual, one-request-at-a-time testing tool rather than a comprehensive methods scan.

HTTP Methods Auditor

Our tool audits which HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE, TRACE, and more) an API endpoint allows, with security notes for each, with an example result shown.

A real limitation: verify against your specific setup whether it performs a live scan against your actual endpoint versus an illustrative example — for a confirmed live automated scan with security context, S4E.io’s OPTIONS-based approach is well-documented.

Which one to pick

If you want security-annotated results explaining which methods are risky and why, use our HTTP Methods Auditor or S4E.io.

If you want method testing bundled with security headers and CORS analysis, use exit1.dev.

If you want to manually test a specific method with custom headers or body data, use PinusX.

If you want the fastest automated OPTIONS-based scan, use S4E.io.

How to do it with HTTP Methods Auditor

1. Open the HTTP Methods Auditor.
2. Enter the API endpoint you want to audit.
3. Review which HTTP methods are allowed, with security notes for each.

Browse the full tools directory for more free, browser-based network tools.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a free HTTP methods auditor that doesn’t need an account?

Yes. Our HTTP Methods Auditor, S4E.io, and exit1.dev all work without requiring signup for the core check.

Why is the TRACE method specifically considered a security risk?

TRACE reflects the exact request it receives back in the response, which historically enabled an attack called Cross-Site Tracing (XST) that could be used to bypass the HttpOnly flag on cookies and steal session data via cross-site scripting — because TRACE serves little practical purpose for most APIs and carries this specific historical vulnerability, security guidance consistently recommends disabling it unless there’s a specific documented need, as covered in OWASP’s guidance on HTTP methods.

Should every API endpoint support OPTIONS requests?

It depends on context — OPTIONS is necessary for CORS preflight requests when a browser-based client makes cross-origin requests with custom headers, so APIs intended for browser JavaScript consumption generally need to support it. For endpoints that don’t need cross-origin browser access, disabling OPTIONS (or at minimum not exposing detailed method information through it) reduces the information an attacker can gather during reconnaissance, which is why some security guidance recommends restricting it when not functionally required.

Final thought

Only enable the HTTP methods your API actually needs — every additional allowed method, especially less common ones like TRACE or unrestricted PUT/DELETE, is attack surface that provides no benefit if nothing in your application actually relies on it.

Try the free HTTP Methods Auditor