Cybersecurity · head to head
Metasploit vs TrustArc
Metasploit
Cybersecurity
The world's most used penetration testing framework
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
TrustArc
Cybersecurity
Privacy management platform with regulatory research and the TRUSTe certification programme
- 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; TrustArc the software layer is generally shallower than OneTrust, particularly automated data discovery across large heterogeneous estates, so organisations with sprawling infrastructure often still need a separate discovery tool.
- They diverge on capability: Metasploit covers Exploit database, TrustArc covers Nymity Research.
- Prices and features above were last checked on 31 August 2026.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Metasploit and TrustArc actually diverge.
| Attribute | Metasploit | TrustArc |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | Free | On request |
| Pricing model | freemium | quote |
| Free tier | Yes | No |
| Platforms | Desktop, Cli | Web |
| Founded | 2000 | Unknown |
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 TrustArc
- Nymity Research
- TRUSTe certification
- Consent and preference management
- Privacy assessments
- Data inventory and mapping
- Individual rights requests
- Cookie consent manager
- Privacy programme benchmarking
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 TrustArc
- Validating whether a reported vulnerability is actually exploitablenot TrustArc
- Running phishing and credential attack simulations on the Pro editionnot TrustArc
TrustArc
- A consumer brand that needs an independent privacy seal on its website because enterprise customers or app stores ask for third-party verificationnot Metasploit
- A multinational privacy team that needs a maintained answer to what a given jurisdiction requires without retaining outside counsel for every questionnot Metasploit
- An organisation running DPIAs at volume that wants templates tied to a maintained regulatory library rather than to a consultant word documentnot Metasploit
- A privacy programme being audited that needs documented maturity benchmarking against a recognised framework of programme activitiesnot 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
TrustArc
- The software layer is generally shallower than OneTrust, particularly automated data discovery across large heterogeneous estates, so organisations with sprawling infrastructure often still need a separate discovery tool.
- The integration catalogue is smaller than the market leader, which means more of the data inventory is maintained by hand and drifts out of date between reviews.
- Certification services are sold separately from the platform subscription, so the seal that is often the reason for choosing TrustArc is an extra line item and an extra annual renewal.
- Reported contract values vary enormously by module mix and organisation size, and the absence of published pricing means smaller buyers have no anchor and routinely discover the entry price is higher than expected.
- TrustArc stays inside privacy, so organisations that later want third-party risk, security compliance or ethics reporting on the same platform will be running a second vendor anyway.
Pricing, plan by plan
Metasploit
Free- Metasploit Framework (OSS)Free
- Open source
- 1500+ exploits
- Command line
- Metasploit ProFree
- Web interface
- Automated testing
- Phishing campaigns
TrustArc
On request- TrustArc Privacy Platform$undefined/year
- Quoted by module, entity count and data volume
- TRUSTe certification and assessment services priced separately from platform subscription
- Nymity Research licensed as a separate module
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.
Questions people ask
- Is Metasploit or TrustArc better?
- Neither clearly leads. Metasploit starts at Free and TrustArc at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Metasploit or TrustArc?
- Metasploit has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Metasploit and On request for TrustArc.
- Does Metasploit or TrustArc run on more platforms?
- Metasploit runs on Desktop, Cli. TrustArc runs on Web.
- Can I use Metasploit for free?
- Yes. Metasploit has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. TrustArc 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 TrustArc is typically brought in for.
- What can Metasploit do that TrustArc cannot?
- Metasploit covers Exploit database, Payload generation, Post-exploitation, Evasion modules. TrustArc covers Nymity Research, TRUSTe certification, Consent and preference management, Privacy assessments.
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.
SourceTrustArc: What does TrustArc have that OneTrust does not?
Nymity Research, a maintained regulatory intelligence library acquired in 2019, and the TRUSTe third-party certification and seal programme.
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.
SourceTrustArc: How much does TrustArc cost?
Not published. Reported enterprise agreements range widely depending on modules and organisation size, and certification services are quoted on top of the platform subscription.
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.
SourceTrustArc: Is TRUSTe the same company?
Yes. TrustArc is the renamed TRUSTe business and still operates the TRUSTe certification programme as a subsidiary.
TrustArc: Does it handle cookie consent for Europe?
Yes, it includes a consent manager with scanning and banner delivery, though pure-play consent vendors are cheaper if that is all you need.
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