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CrowdStrike Falcon vs Metasploit

CrowdStrike Falcon logo

CrowdStrike Falcon

Software

Stop breaches with AI-native cybersecurity

From
$7.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Metasploit logo

Metasploit

Software

The world's most used penetration testing framework

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Metasploit has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: CrowdStrike Falcon falcon Go tier limited to maximum of 100 devices; Metasploit the free Framework edition is command line only; the web interface is Pro only
  • They diverge on capability: CrowdStrike Falcon covers Next-gen antivirus, Metasploit covers Exploit database.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which CrowdStrike Falcon and Metasploit actually diverge.

Attributes where CrowdStrike Falcon and Metasploit differ
AttributeCrowdStrike FalconMetasploit
Starting price$7.99/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindows, macOS, LinuxDesktop, Cli
Founded20112000

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 CrowdStrike Falcon

  • Next-gen antivirus
  • Endpoint detection and response
  • Threat intelligence
  • IT hygiene
  • USB device control
  • Firewall management
  • Threat graph
  • Real-time response

Only in Metasploit

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

What people use each for

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

CrowdStrike Falcon

  • Small endpoint deployments via Falcon Go with per-device pricingnot Metasploit
  • Mid-market organisations via Falcon Pro or Enterprise with advanced threat detectionnot Metasploit
  • Organisations requiring custom managed detection and response via Falcon Completenot Metasploit

Metasploit

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

Where each one falls short

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

CrowdStrike Falcon

  • Falcon Go tier limited to maximum of 100 devices
  • Falcon Complete Next-Gen MDR requires custom quote; pricing not published
  • Higher tiers (Enterprise and above) feature gatekeeping for threat hunting and identity protection

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

CrowdStrike Falcon

$7.99/month

No published plan breakdown. See the CrowdStrike Falcon review.

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 CrowdStrike Falcon if

  • You need next-gen antivirus.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Linux.
  • You also want endpoint detection and response.
CrowdStrike Falcon 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 CrowdStrike Falcon or Metasploit better?
Neither clearly leads. CrowdStrike Falcon starts at $7.99/month and Metasploit at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, CrowdStrike Falcon or Metasploit?
Metasploit has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $7.99/month for CrowdStrike Falcon and Free for Metasploit.
Does CrowdStrike Falcon or Metasploit run on more platforms?
CrowdStrike Falcon runs on Windows, macOS, Linux. Metasploit runs on Desktop, Cli.
Can I use Metasploit for free?
Yes. Metasploit has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. CrowdStrike Falcon starts at $7.99/month.
What is CrowdStrike Falcon best used for?
CrowdStrike Falcon is most often used for small endpoint deployments via falcon go with per-device pricing, mid-market organisations via falcon pro or enterprise with advanced threat detection, organisations requiring custom managed detection and response via falcon complete. Of those, small endpoint deployments via falcon go with per-device pricing and mid-market organisations via falcon pro or enterprise with advanced threat detection are not what Metasploit is typically brought in for.
What can CrowdStrike Falcon do that Metasploit cannot?
CrowdStrike Falcon covers Next-gen antivirus, Endpoint detection and response, Threat intelligence, IT hygiene. Metasploit covers Exploit database, Payload generation, Post-exploitation, Evasion modules.
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