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Cybersecurity · head to head

Metasploit vs SentinelOne

Metasploit logo

Metasploit

Cybersecurity

The world's most used penetration testing framework

From
Free
Rated
-
SentinelOne logo

SentinelOne

Cybersecurity

Autonomous endpoint protection and response

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; SentinelOne enterprise pricing requires contacting sales
  • They diverge on capability: Metasploit covers Exploit database, SentinelOne covers AI-powered detection.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Metasploit and SentinelOne actually diverge.

Attributes where Metasploit and SentinelOne differ
AttributeMetasploitSentinelOne
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsDesktop, CliWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android
Founded20002013

Identical on both: 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 SentinelOne

  • AI-powered detection
  • Autonomous response
  • Behavioral threat intelligence
  • Root cause analysis
  • Threat hunting automation
  • Ransomware protection
  • Container security
  • Mobile endpoint protection

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 SentinelOne
  • Validating whether a reported vulnerability is actually exploitablenot SentinelOne
  • Running phishing and credential attack simulations on the Pro editionnot SentinelOne

SentinelOne

  • Endpoint detection and responsenot Metasploit
  • AI-powered threat huntingnot Metasploit
  • Cloud workload securitynot 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

SentinelOne

  • Enterprise pricing requires contacting sales
  • Prices shown for 5-100 workstations may differ for larger deployments
  • Purchases must be made through authorized third-party partners

Pricing, plan by plan

Metasploit

Free
  • Metasploit Framework (OSS)Free
    • Open source
    • 1500+ exploits
    • Command line
  • Metasploit ProFree
    • Web interface
    • Automated testing
    • Phishing campaigns

SentinelOne

On request
  • Singularity Complete$179.99/year
    • Per endpoint pricing
    • AI-driven endpoint and cloud workload protection
    • Real-time threat detection and response
  • Singularity Commercial$229.99/year
    • Per endpoint pricing
    • All Complete features plus Identity Detection and Response
    • 90-day data retention
  • Singularity Enterprise$null/custom
    • Per endpoint pricing
    • All Commercial features plus Agentic AI SOC Analyst
    • Full Visibility and Forensics

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 SentinelOne if

  • You need ai-powered detection.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android.
  • You also want autonomous response.

Questions people ask

Is Metasploit or SentinelOne better?
Neither clearly leads. Metasploit starts at Free and SentinelOne at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Metasploit or SentinelOne?
Metasploit has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Metasploit and On request for SentinelOne.
Does Metasploit or SentinelOne run on more platforms?
Metasploit runs on Desktop, Cli. SentinelOne runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android.
Can I use Metasploit for free?
Yes. Metasploit has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. SentinelOne 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 SentinelOne is typically brought in for.
What can Metasploit do that SentinelOne cannot?
Metasploit covers Exploit database, Payload generation, Post-exploitation, Evasion modules. SentinelOne covers AI-powered detection, Autonomous response, Behavioral threat intelligence, Root cause 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.

Source
SentinelOne: What is SentinelOne Singularity Complete pricing?

Singularity Complete costs $179.99 per endpoint per year and includes AI-driven endpoint and cloud workload protection, real-time threat detection and response, 14-day data retention, and AI Security Assistant. Pricing shown for 5-100 workstations.

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
SentinelOne: What features distinguish SentinelOne Commercial from Complete?

Singularity Commercial costs $229.99 per endpoint per year (versus $179.99 for Complete) and adds Identity Detection and Response, 90-day data retention (compared to 14-day), and Managed Threat Hunting services.

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
SentinelOne: How does partner pricing affect SentinelOne costs?

All SentinelOne purchases are made through authorized third-party partners, and partner pricing may differ from published rates. Customers should verify pricing with their authorized reseller.

Source
SentinelOne: What does SentinelOne Enterprise include?

Singularity Enterprise (custom pricing, contact sales) adds Agentic AI SOC Analyst and Full Visibility and Forensics capabilities to all Commercial features, plus expert-led onboarding and training.

Source
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