Software · head to head
Acunetix vs Metasploit
Metasploit
Software
The world's most used penetration testing framework
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Metasploit has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Acunetix aWS Marketplace lists Acunetix Online Premium, published by seller Invicti Security, at $7,000 per year for 5 targets under a 12 month contract, where a target is one fully qualified domain, website, web app, API or web service; Metasploit the free Framework edition is command line only; the web interface is Pro only
- They diverge on capability: Acunetix covers DAST scanning, Metasploit covers Exploit database.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Acunetix and Metasploit actually diverge.
| Attribute | Acunetix | Metasploit |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | On request | Free |
| Pricing model | subscription | freemium |
| Free tier | No | Yes |
| Platforms | Desktop, Web, Api | Desktop, Cli |
| Founded | 2005 | 2000 |
Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in Acunetix
- DAST scanning
- IAST technology
- AcuSensor
- JavaScript security
- SQL injection testing
- XSS detection
- OWASP Top 10
- API security testing
Only in Metasploit
- Exploit database
- Payload generation
- Post-exploitation
- Evasion modules
- Auxiliary scanners
- Social engineering
- Credential harvesting
- Session management
Both cover
- On-premise deployment
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Acunetix
- Vulnerability Scannernot Metasploit
- Web Securitynot Metasploit
- Dastnot Metasploit
Metasploit
- Penetration testing and exploit development against known vulnerabilitiesnot Acunetix
- Validating whether a reported vulnerability is actually exploitablenot Acunetix
- Running phishing and credential attack simulations on the Pro editionnot Acunetix
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Acunetix
- AWS Marketplace lists Acunetix Online Premium, published by seller Invicti Security, at $7,000 per year for 5 targets under a 12 month contract, where a target is one fully qualified domain, website, web app, API or web service
- AWS Marketplace's Invicti listing shows Premium Support priced separately at $150,000 per year and Premium Support with Guided Success at $300,000 per year, on top of the base scanning licence
Metasploit
- The free Framework edition is command line only; the web interface is Pro only
- Automated exploitation, automated credential attacks and antivirus evading dynamic payloads are restricted to Metasploit Pro
- Reporting, audit wizards, task chains and closed loop vulnerability validation are Pro only
- Rapid7 publishes no price for Metasploit Pro and routes buyers to contact sales
Pricing, plan by plan
Acunetix
On request- StandardFree
- Single user
- 5 targets
- Scheduled scans
- PremiumFree
- Multiple users
- Unlimited targets
- CI/CD integration
- Acunetix 360Free
- Enterprise features
- SDLC integration
- Custom workflows
Metasploit
Free- Metasploit Framework (OSS)Free
- Open source
- 1500+ exploits
- Command line
- Metasploit ProFree
- Web interface
- Automated testing
- Phishing campaigns
Which should you pick?
Choose Acunetix if
- You need dast scanning.
- You work on Desktop, Web, Api.
- You also want iast technology.
Choose Metasploit if
- You need exploit database.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Desktop, Cli.
- You also want payload generation.
Questions people ask
- Is Acunetix or Metasploit better?
- Neither clearly leads. Acunetix starts at On request and Metasploit at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Acunetix or Metasploit?
- Metasploit has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at On request for Acunetix and Free for Metasploit.
- Does Acunetix or Metasploit run on more platforms?
- Acunetix runs on Desktop, Web, Api. Metasploit runs on Desktop, Cli.
- Can I use Metasploit for free?
- Yes. Metasploit has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Acunetix starts at On request.
- What is Acunetix best used for?
- Acunetix is most often used for vulnerability scanner, web security, dast. Of those, vulnerability scanner and web security are not what Metasploit is typically brought in for.
- What can Acunetix do that Metasploit cannot?
- Acunetix covers DAST scanning, IAST technology, AcuSensor, JavaScript security. Metasploit covers Exploit database, Payload generation, Post-exploitation, Evasion modules. Both handle On-premise deployment.
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