Security & Cybersecurity · head to head
Burp Suite vs Proofpoint
Burp Suite
Security & Cybersecurity
The leading toolkit for web security testing
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
Proofpoint
Security & Cybersecurity
People-centric cybersecurity and compliance
- From
- $6/month
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Burp Suite has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Burp Suite the automated vulnerability scanner is Professional only, at $499; the free Community edition is manual tools; Proofpoint listed on UK G-Cloud at £40.60 per user for the Proofpoint Advanced Package, via reseller Bytes Software Services Limited, with the billing period not stated on the listing
- They diverge on capability: Burp Suite covers Web vulnerability scanner, Proofpoint covers Advanced threat detection.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Burp Suite and Proofpoint actually diverge.
| Attribute | Burp Suite | Proofpoint |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | $6/month |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Desktop, Api | Email, Cloud, Web |
| Founded | 2004 | 2002 |
Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Security & Cybersecurity).
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 Proofpoint
- Advanced threat detection
- Anti-phishing
- Data loss prevention
- Archive and search
- eDiscovery
- User behavior analytics
- Threat intelligence
- Compliance reporting
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 Proofpoint
- Automated scanning for web vulnerabilities on the Professional editionnot Proofpoint
- Extending testing with community-built BApp extensionsnot Proofpoint
- Enterprise-wide dynamic scanning through Burp DASTnot Proofpoint
Proofpoint
- Email Securitynot Burp Suite
- Dlpnot Burp Suite
- User Behavior Analyticsnot 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
Proofpoint
- Listed on UK G-Cloud at £40.60 per user for the Proofpoint Advanced Package, via reseller Bytes Software Services Limited, with the billing period not stated on the listing
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
Proofpoint
$6/month- Email Protection$6/month
- Per user
- Advanced threat detection
- Data loss prevention
- Compliance$8/month
- All Email Protection
- Archive & search
- eDiscovery
- Advanced Threat$10/month
- All Compliance features
- Targeted attack detection
- Behavior analytics
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.
Choose Proofpoint if
- You need advanced threat detection.
- You work on Email, Cloud, Web.
- You also want anti-phishing.
Questions people ask
- Is Burp Suite or Proofpoint better?
- Neither clearly leads. Burp Suite starts at Free and Proofpoint at $6/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Burp Suite or Proofpoint?
- Burp Suite has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Burp Suite and $6/month for Proofpoint.
- Does Burp Suite or Proofpoint run on more platforms?
- Burp Suite runs on Desktop, Api. Proofpoint runs on Email, Cloud, Web.
- Can I use Burp Suite for free?
- Yes. Burp Suite has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Proofpoint starts at $6/month.
- 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 Proofpoint is typically brought in for.
- What can Burp Suite do that Proofpoint cannot?
- Burp Suite covers Web vulnerability scanner, Proxy interceptor, Intruder, Repeater. Proofpoint covers Advanced threat detection, Anti-phishing, Data loss prevention, Archive and search.