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Burp Suite vs Metasploit

Burp Suite logo

Burp Suite

Software

The leading toolkit for web security testing

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Metasploit logo

Metasploit

Software

The world's most used penetration testing framework

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Burp Suite the automated vulnerability scanner is Professional only, at $499; the free Community edition is manual tools; Metasploit the free Framework edition is command line only; the web interface is Pro only
  • They diverge on capability: Burp Suite covers Web vulnerability scanner, Metasploit covers Exploit database.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Burp Suite and Metasploit actually diverge.

Attributes where Burp Suite and Metasploit differ
AttributeBurp SuiteMetasploit
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
PlatformsDesktop, ApiDesktop, Cli
Founded20042000

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), 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 Burp Suite

  • Web vulnerability scanner
  • Proxy interceptor
  • Intruder
  • Repeater
  • Sequencer
  • Decoder
  • Comparer
  • Logger

Only in Metasploit

  • Exploit database
  • Payload generation
  • Post-exploitation
  • Evasion modules
  • Auxiliary scanners
  • Social engineering
  • Credential harvesting
  • Session management

Both cover

  • OWASP ZAP
  • On-premise deployment
  • Desktop support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Burp Suite

  • Manual web application penetration testing through an intercepting proxynot Metasploit
  • Automated scanning for web vulnerabilities on the Professional editionnot Metasploit
  • Extending testing with community-built BApp extensionsnot Metasploit
  • Enterprise-wide dynamic scanning through Burp DASTnot Metasploit

Metasploit

  • Penetration testing and exploit development against known vulnerabilitiesnot Burp Suite
  • Validating whether a reported vulnerability is actually exploitablenot Burp Suite
  • Running phishing and credential attack simulations on the Pro editionnot Burp Suite

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Burp Suite

  • The automated vulnerability scanner is Professional only, at $499; the free Community edition is manual tools
  • BApp Store extensions require the Professional edition
  • DAST and the agentic testing product are separate enterprise offerings with no published price
  • Professional is licensed per user per year rather than perpetually

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

Burp Suite

Free
  • Community EditionFree
    • Essential manual tools
    • Proxy
    • Repeater
  • Professional$449/year
    • All Community features
    • Burp Scanner
    • Advanced manual tools
  • Enterprise$6995/year
    • CI/CD integration
    • Scheduled scans
    • Role-based access

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 Burp Suite if

  • You need web vulnerability scanner.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Desktop, Api.
  • You also want proxy interceptor.
Burp Suite review

Choose Metasploit if

  • You need exploit database.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Desktop, Cli.
  • You also want payload generation.
Metasploit review

Questions people ask

Is Burp Suite or Metasploit better?
Neither clearly leads. Burp Suite starts at Free and Metasploit at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Burp Suite or Metasploit?
Burp Suite starts at Free and Metasploit at Free.
Does Burp Suite or Metasploit run on more platforms?
Burp Suite runs on Desktop, Api. Metasploit runs on Desktop, Cli.
Can I use Burp Suite for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Burp Suite best used for?
Burp Suite is most often used for manual web application penetration testing through an intercepting proxy, automated scanning for web vulnerabilities on the professional edition, extending testing with community-built bapp extensions, enterprise-wide dynamic scanning through burp dast. Of those, manual web application penetration testing through an intercepting proxy and automated scanning for web vulnerabilities on the professional edition are not what Metasploit is typically brought in for.
What can Burp Suite do that Metasploit cannot?
Burp Suite covers Web vulnerability scanner, Proxy interceptor, Intruder, Repeater. Metasploit covers Exploit database, Payload generation, Post-exploitation, Evasion modules. Both handle OWASP ZAP, On-premise deployment, Desktop support.
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