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Cybersecurity · head to head

Metasploit vs Springbrook Software

Metasploit logo

Metasploit

Cybersecurity

Penetration testing framework

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Visit MetasploitFull review
Springbrook Software logo

Springbrook Software

Government

Cloud ERP built only for small and mid-sized local governments and utility districts

From
On request
Free plan
No
Visit Springbrook SoftwareFull review

The short version

  • Metasploit is free; Springbrook Software prices on request.
  • Only Metasploit lists exploit database; only Springbrook Software lists cirrus cloud platform.
  • Where Metasploit falls short: the free Framework edition is command line only; the web interface is Pro only.
  • Prices and features on this page were last checked on 13 November 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Metasploit and Springbrook Software actually diverge.

Attributes where Metasploit and Springbrook Software differ
AttributeMetasploitSpringbrook Software
Starting priceFreeOn request
Pricing modelFreemiumQuote
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindows, macOS, APIWeb
CategoryCybersecurityGovernment

Not yet recorded: founded for Springbrook Software.

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 Springbrook Software

  • Cirrus cloud platform
  • Fund accounting
  • Utility billing
  • Payroll and human resources
  • Cashless payments
  • Permitting and land management

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

Springbrook Software

  • A city of a few thousand residents retiring an on-premises finance server nobody on staff can maintainnot Metasploit
  • A water and sewer district needing meter-based utility billing tied directly to the general ledgernot Metasploit
  • A town that must produce GASB-compliant annual financial reports without a full-time systems accountantnot Metasploit
  • Adding online resident payment for utility bills and licences without integrating a third-party gateway by handnot 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

Springbrook Software

  • Nothing is publicly priced, and public sector quotes bundle licence, implementation and conversion so tightly that comparing two vendors requires a formal procurement
  • It is scoped for small and mid-sized agencies, so grant accounting, capital project tracking and human resources depth fall short for larger cities
  • Data conversion from a legacy municipal system is the largest risk and cost in the project, and historical utility billing data in particular frequently converts badly
  • The integration list is short compared with entrenched public sector vendors, so agencies already committed to a large incumbent ecosystem will have gaps to bridge
  • Being cloud-native means the agency cannot defer upgrades, which is an advantage for security but removes control over timing from finance teams working to a fiscal calendar

Pricing, plan by plan

Metasploit

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

Springbrook Software

On request
  • Springbrook CirrusOn request
    • Cloud ERP for local government
    • Priced by population, module selection and user count
    • Implementation, data conversion and training quoted separately

Which should you pick?

Choose Metasploit if

  • You need exploit database.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, API.
  • You also want payload generation.
Metasploit review

Choose Springbrook Software if

  • You need cirrus cloud platform.
  • You also want fund accounting.
Springbrook Software review

Questions people ask

Is Metasploit or Springbrook Software better?
Neither clearly leads. Metasploit starts at Free and Springbrook Software at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Metasploit or Springbrook Software?
Metasploit has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Metasploit and On request for Springbrook Software.
Does Metasploit or Springbrook Software run on more platforms?
Metasploit runs on Windows, macOS, API. Springbrook Software runs on Web.
Can I use Metasploit for free?
Yes. Metasploit has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Springbrook Software 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 Springbrook Software is typically brought in for.
What can Metasploit do that Springbrook Software cannot?
Metasploit covers Exploit database, Payload generation, Post-exploitation, Evasion modules. Springbrook Software covers Cirrus cloud platform, Fund accounting, Utility billing, Payroll and human resources.

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
Springbrook Software: Who is Springbrook for?

Small and mid-sized cities, towns, water and sewer agencies and special districts, not counties or states.

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
Springbrook Software: Is Cirrus really cloud-native?

Yes, it is a multi-tenant rebuild rather than a hosted version of the older client-server product, which is the main reason agencies switch to it.

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
Springbrook Software: Is pricing published?

No. Local government ERP is quoted through procurement, bundling licence, implementation and data conversion.

Springbrook Software: What is the hardest part of implementation?

Converting historical data, particularly utility billing history, from the outgoing system.

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