Security & Cybersecurity · head to head
Metasploit vs Keygen
Metasploit
Security & Cybersecurity
The world's most used penetration testing framework
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
Keygen
Security & Cybersecurity
Open, source-available software licensing API
- From
- On request
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Only Metasploit has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
- Each has a real cost: Metasploit the free Framework edition is command line only; the web interface is Pro only; Keygen cloud hosted plans start at $995 per month billed per domain, a floor aimed at established software vendors rather than solo developers
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Metasploit and Keygen actually diverge.
| Attribute | Metasploit | Keygen |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | On request |
| Pricing model | freemium | subscription |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Desktop, Cli | Web |
| Founded | 2000 | Unknown |
Identical on both: 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 Metasploit
- Exploit database
- Payload generation
- Post-exploitation
- Evasion modules
- Auxiliary scanners
- Social engineering
- Credential harvesting
- Session management
Only in Keygen
Nothing recorded that Metasploit does not also cover.
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Metasploit
- Penetration testing and exploit development against known vulnerabilitiesnot Keygen
- Validating whether a reported vulnerability is actually exploitablenot Keygen
- Running phishing and credential attack simulations on the Pro editionnot Keygen
Keygen
No use cases recorded yet. See the Keygen review.
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
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
Keygen
- Cloud hosted plans start at $995 per month billed per domain, a floor aimed at established software vendors rather than solo developers
Pricing, plan by plan
Metasploit
Free- Metasploit Framework (OSS)Free
- Open source
- 1500+ exploits
- Command line
- Metasploit ProFree
- Web interface
- Automated testing
- Phishing campaigns
Keygen
On requestNo published plan breakdown. See the Keygen review.
Which should you pick?
Choose Metasploit if
- You need exploit database.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Desktop, Cli.
- You also want payload generation.
Choose Keygen if
Nothing in the data separates Keygen from Metasploit on the points above - pick on price and on how each one feels to use.
Questions people ask
- Is Metasploit or Keygen better?
- Neither clearly leads. Metasploit starts at Free and Keygen at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Metasploit or Keygen?
- Metasploit has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Metasploit and On request for Keygen.
- Does Metasploit or Keygen run on more platforms?
- Metasploit runs on Desktop, Cli. Keygen runs on Web.
- Can I use Metasploit for free?
- Yes. Metasploit has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Keygen starts at On request.
- What is Metasploit best used for?
- Metasploit is most often used for penetration testing and exploit development against known vulnerabilities, validating whether a reported vulnerability is actually exploitable, running phishing and credential attack simulations on the pro edition. Of those, penetration testing and exploit development against known vulnerabilities and validating whether a reported vulnerability is actually exploitable are not what Keygen is typically brought in for.
- What can Metasploit do that Keygen cannot?
- Metasploit covers Exploit database, Payload generation, Post-exploitation, Evasion modules.