Softwr

Browser Extensions · head to head

Greasemonkey vs Metasploit

Greasemonkey logo

Greasemonkey

Browser Extensions

The original userscript manager, for Firefox

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Metasploit logo

Metasploit

Cybersecurity

The world's most used penetration testing framework

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Greasemonkey firefox only. There is no Chrome, Edge or Safari build and there never has been.; Metasploit the free Framework edition is command line only; the web interface is Pro only
  • They diverge on capability: Greasemonkey covers Userscript execution, Metasploit covers Exploit database.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 17 September 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Greasemonkey and Metasploit actually diverge.

Attributes where Greasemonkey and Metasploit differ
AttributeGreasemonkeyMetasploit
Pricing modelopen-sourcefreemium
PlatformsFirefoxDesktop, Cli
CategoryBrowser ExtensionsCybersecurity
FoundedUnknown2000

Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated).

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 Greasemonkey

  • Userscript execution
  • Built-in script editor
  • GM. API
  • @resource support
  • Script localisation
  • Firefox for Android

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.

Greasemonkey

  • Restyling or de-cluttering a site you use dailynot Metasploit
  • Automating a repetitive action on a web applicationnot Metasploit
  • Adding a missing feature to a site you do not controlnot Metasploit
  • Running userscripts on Firefox for Androidnot Metasploit
  • Writing and testing your own scripts in the browsernot Metasploit

Metasploit

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

Where each one falls short

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

Greasemonkey

  • Firefox only. There is no Chrome, Edge or Safari build and there never has been.
  • Its API diverged from the Tampermonkey conventions most shared scripts are written against, so a script from a sharing site may need adjusting to run.
  • The dashboard is plainer than Tampermonkey's, with no diff view when a script updates itself.
  • No cloud sync of the kind Tampermonkey and Violentmonkey offer; moving machines means exporting.
  • A userscript manager can read and rewrite every page you visit, so the security of the arrangement depends entirely on the scripts you choose to install.

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

Greasemonkey

Free
  • Open sourceFree
    • Unlimited scripts
    • Built-in editor
    • No account required

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 Greasemonkey if

  • You need userscript execution.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Firefox.
  • You also want built-in script editor.
Greasemonkey 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 Greasemonkey or Metasploit better?
Neither clearly leads. Greasemonkey 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, Greasemonkey or Metasploit?
Greasemonkey starts at Free and Metasploit at Free.
Does Greasemonkey or Metasploit run on more platforms?
Greasemonkey runs on Firefox. Metasploit runs on Desktop, Cli.
Can I use Greasemonkey for free?
Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
What is Greasemonkey best used for?
Greasemonkey is most often used for restyling or de-cluttering a site you use daily, automating a repetitive action on a web application, adding a missing feature to a site you do not control, running userscripts on firefox for android. Of those, restyling or de-cluttering a site you use daily and automating a repetitive action on a web application are not what Metasploit is typically brought in for.
What can Greasemonkey do that Metasploit cannot?
Greasemonkey covers Userscript execution, Built-in script editor, GM. API, @resource support. Metasploit covers Exploit database, Payload generation, Post-exploitation, Evasion modules.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Greasemonkey: Is Greasemonkey still maintained?

Yes. Version 4.14 was released on 2 June 2026, and the project has an active repository, bug tracker and discussion groups.

Source
Metasploit: Is Metasploit Framework free to use?

Yes, Metasploit Framework is available as free open-source software with source code accessible via GitHub. Community support is provided through Slack, GitHub, Twitter, and email.

Source
Greasemonkey: Does Greasemonkey work on Chrome?

No. It is a Firefox extension and has never shipped for Chrome. Violentmonkey and Tampermonkey are the equivalents there.

Source
Metasploit: What is the difference between Metasploit Framework and Metasploit Pro?

Metasploit Framework is the free open-source version. Metasploit Pro is a commercial offering with customer support from Rapid7, though specific pricing and features are not detailed on the download page.

Source
Greasemonkey: Will Tampermonkey scripts run in Greasemonkey?

Often, but not always. Greasemonkey's API diverged from the conventions most shared scripts are written against, so a script may need its header or its GM calls adjusted.

Source
Metasploit: What support is available for the free Framework version?

Community-based support for Metasploit Framework is available through Slack, GitHub, Twitter, and email ([email protected]). Commercial customers using Metasploit Pro receive customer support from Rapid7.

Source
Greasemonkey: Does Greasemonkey run on mobile?

On Firefox for Android, from version 4.12. There is no iOS build, because Firefox on iOS cannot load extensions of this kind.

Source
Greasemonkey: What is the GM API?

The set of functions a userscript manager exposes to scripts, named after Greasemonkey, which defined it. Greasemonkey supports the promise-based GM. form including GM.xmlHttpRequest and GM.registerMenuCommand.

Source
Share

Related pages

More on Greasemonkey

More on Metasploit

Keep looking

Other head to heads