Cybersecurity · head to head
Kaspersky Total Security vs Metasploit
Kaspersky Total Security
Cybersecurity
Complete protection for your digital life
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
Metasploit
Cybersecurity
The world's most used penetration testing framework
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Kaspersky Total Security uS sales banned since June 2024 with support ending September 29, 2024; Metasploit the free Framework edition is command line only; the web interface is Pro only
- They diverge on capability: Kaspersky Total Security covers Real-time protection, Metasploit covers Exploit database.
- Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Kaspersky Total Security and Metasploit actually diverge.
| Attribute | Kaspersky Total Security | Metasploit |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Unknown | freemium |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android | Desktop, Cli |
| Founded | 1997 | 2000 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (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 Kaspersky Total Security
- Real-time protection
- Ransomware protection
- Safe Money
- Privacy protection
- Parental controls
- Password manager
- VPN
- File encryption
Only in Metasploit
- Exploit database
- Payload generation
- Post-exploitation
- Evasion modules
- Auxiliary scanners
- Social engineering
- Credential harvesting
- Session management
Both cover
- Desktop support
- English language support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Kaspersky Total Security
- Antivirusnot Metasploit
- Internet Securitynot Metasploit
- Parental Controlnot Metasploit
Metasploit
- Penetration testing and exploit development against known vulnerabilitiesnot Kaspersky Total Security
- Validating whether a reported vulnerability is actually exploitablenot Kaspersky Total Security
- Running phishing and credential attack simulations on the Pro editionnot Kaspersky Total Security
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Kaspersky Total Security
- US sales banned since June 2024 with support ending September 29, 2024
- VPN limited to 200 MB per day and servers in only 24 countries
- Password manager has privacy concerns with questionable terms and policies
- VPN and password manager only included in Plus and Premium tiers, not in Standard
- Occasionally flags legitimate files as false positives
- Firewall leaves open ports on public networks
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
Kaspersky Total Security
Free- FreeFree
- Basic antivirus
- No real-time protection
- Standard$38.99/year
- Antivirus
- Firewall
- Anti-phishing
- Plus$52.99/year
- Standard features
- Password manager
- VPN with limit
- Premium$74.99/year
- Plus features
- Identity protection
- Unlimited VPN
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 Kaspersky Total Security if
- You need real-time protection.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.
- You also want ransomware protection.
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 Kaspersky Total Security or Metasploit better?
- Neither clearly leads. Kaspersky Total Security 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, Kaspersky Total Security or Metasploit?
- Kaspersky Total Security starts at Free and Metasploit at Free.
- Does Kaspersky Total Security or Metasploit run on more platforms?
- Kaspersky Total Security runs on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android. Metasploit runs on Desktop, Cli.
- Can I use Kaspersky Total Security for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Kaspersky Total Security best used for?
- Kaspersky Total Security is most often used for antivirus, internet security, parental control. Of those, antivirus and internet security are not what Metasploit is typically brought in for.
- What can Kaspersky Total Security do that Metasploit cannot?
- Kaspersky Total Security covers Real-time protection, Ransomware protection, Safe Money, Privacy protection. Metasploit covers Exploit database, Payload generation, Post-exploitation, Evasion modules. Both handle Desktop support, English language support.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Kaspersky Total Security: What does Kaspersky Total Security include?
Kaspersky Total Security (Premium tier) includes antivirus, firewall, password manager, VPN with 200 MB daily limit, parental controls (Kaspersky Safe Kids), and anti-ransomware protection.
SourceMetasploit: 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.
SourceKaspersky Total Security: How much does Kaspersky Total Security cost?
Kaspersky Standard costs $38.99/year for 3 devices. Plus tier is $52.99/year for 5 devices. Premium is $74.99/year for 10 devices. Multi-year discounts available.
SourceMetasploit: 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.
SourceKaspersky Total Security: Is Kaspersky available in the United States?
No. The U.S. government banned Kaspersky software sales in June 2024, with support and software updates ceasing September 29, 2024, citing national security concerns regarding Russian government ties.
SourceMetasploit: 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.
SourceKaspersky Total Security: Does Kaspersky have parental controls?
Yes. Premium and Plus tiers include one year free access to Kaspersky Safe Kids parental controls app, which provides activity reports, app monitoring, usage limits, and geo-fencing with location tracking.
SourceKaspersky Total Security: How much does the VPN provide?
Kaspersky's free VPN (Kaspersky Secure Connection) offers only 200 MB per day of traffic, limiting data usage. Full VPN is included in Plus and Premium plans but with limited servers in only 24 countries.
SourceRelated pages
More on Kaspersky Total Security
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