Cybersecurity · head to head
Metasploit vs Semgrep

Metasploit
Cybersecurity
The world's most used penetration testing framework
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -

Semgrep
Cybersecurity
Open-source static analysis tool for finding security bugs and enforcing code standards.
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Metasploit the free Framework edition is command line only; the web interface is Pro only; Semgrep free tier caps out at 10 contributors and 10 repositories.
- They diverge on capability: Metasploit covers Exploit database, Semgrep covers Static code scanning.
- Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Metasploit and Semgrep actually diverge.
| Attribute | Metasploit | Semgrep |
|---|---|---|
| Platforms | Desktop, Cli | web, api, linux, mac, windows |
| Founded | 2000 | Unknown |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), pricing model (freemium), 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 Metasploit
- Exploit database
- Payload generation
- Post-exploitation
- Evasion modules
- Auxiliary scanners
- Social engineering
- Credential harvesting
- Session management
Only in Semgrep
- Static code scanning
- Supply chain scanning
- Secrets detection
- Cross-file analysis
- AI-powered triage and remediation
- CI/CD integration
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 Semgrep
- Validating whether a reported vulnerability is actually exploitablenot Semgrep
- Running phishing and credential attack simulations on the Pro editionnot Semgrep
Semgrep
- Scanning code for security vulnerabilities in CI/CDnot Metasploit
- Detecting vulnerable open-source dependenciesnot Metasploit
- Finding hardcoded secrets before code shipsnot Metasploit
- Enforcing custom code standards with rule setsnot Metasploit
- Prioritizing findings with AI-assisted triagenot Metasploit
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
Semgrep
- Free tier caps out at 10 contributors and 10 repositories.
- Secrets scanning is priced as a separate module ($15/contributor) from Code and Supply Chain.
- Self-managed repositories and custom CI/CD require the Enterprise tier.
- AI credits are limited per tier and additional usage requires upgrading.
Pricing, plan by plan
Metasploit
Free- Metasploit Framework (OSS)Free
- Open source
- 1500+ exploits
- Command line
- Metasploit ProFree
- Web interface
- Automated testing
- Phishing campaigns
Semgrep
Free- FreeFree
- Up to 10 contributors
- Code and Supply Chain scanning
- 60 AI credits total
- Teams$30/month
- Code, Supply Chain, or Secrets scanning per contributor
- Pro rules
- AI-powered triage and remediation
- Enterprise$undefined/month
- On-prem support
- Custom CI/CD
- 50 AI credits per developer/month
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 Semgrep if
- You need static code scanning.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on web, api, linux, mac, windows.
- You also want supply chain scanning.
Questions people ask
- Is Metasploit or Semgrep better?
- Neither clearly leads. Metasploit starts at Free and Semgrep at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Metasploit or Semgrep?
- Metasploit starts at Free and Semgrep at Free.
- Does Metasploit or Semgrep run on more platforms?
- Metasploit runs on Desktop, Cli. Semgrep runs on web, api, linux, mac, windows.
- Can I use Metasploit for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- 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 Semgrep is typically brought in for.
- What can Metasploit do that Semgrep cannot?
- Metasploit covers Exploit database, Payload generation, Post-exploitation, Evasion modules. Semgrep covers Static code scanning, Supply chain scanning, Secrets detection, Cross-file analysis.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
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.
SourceSemgrep: What does Semgrep cost?
The Free edition covers up to 10 contributors; Teams starts at $30/contributor/month for Code scanning (Supply Chain also $30, Secrets $15); Enterprise is custom-priced.
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.
SourceSemgrep: Is there a free plan, and what are its limits?
Yes, the Free edition supports up to 10 contributors and 10 repositories with Code and Supply Chain scanning plus 60 AI credits total.
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.
SourceSemgrep: How is usage metered?
Pricing is per contributor, defined as someone who made at least one commit to a scanned private repository in the past 90 days.
SourceSemgrep: Is there special pricing for startups?
Yes, Semgrep offers special startup pricing upon request for early-stage companies.
SourceRelated pages
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