Acunetix
Acunetix is a comprehensive web application security scanner that automatically detects vulnerabilities like SQL injection and Cross-Site Scripting to help you secure your websites, applications, and APIs effectively.
Metasploit
Metasploit is a powerful penetration testing framework that helps you identify, exploit, and validate security vulnerabilities across your network to strengthen your overall defensive posture and reduce risk.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Acunetix | Metasploit |
|---|---|---|
| Website | acunetix.com | rapid7.com |
| Pricing Model | Custom | Freemium |
| Starting Price | Custom Pricing | Free |
| FREE Trial | ✓ 0 days free trial | ✓ 30 days free trial |
| Free Plan | ✘ No free plan | ✓ Has free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2004 | 2003 |
| Headquarters | London, UK | Boston, USA |
Overview
Acunetix
Acunetix provides an automated way for you to find and fix security gaps in your web applications and APIs. Instead of manual testing, you can run high-speed scans that identify over 7,000 vulnerabilities, including SQL injection, XSS, and misconfigurations. It crawls complex architectures, including Single Page Applications and password-protected areas, ensuring you don't miss hidden entry points that hackers might exploit.
You can integrate security testing directly into your development pipeline to catch issues before they reach production. The platform provides clear, actionable reports that help your developers understand exactly how to remediate risks. Whether you manage a single website or a massive portfolio of enterprise applications, it helps you maintain a strong security posture without slowing down your release cycles.
Metasploit
Metasploit helps you think like an attacker so you can stay one step ahead of security threats. You can use the world’s most used penetration testing framework to find weak spots in your defenses, simulate real-world attacks, and verify that your security patches actually work. It simplifies the complex process of exploitation by providing a massive library of tested code and automated tools that handle the heavy lifting for you.
You can choose between the open-source Framework for command-line power or the Pro version for a guided, graphical experience. Whether you are conducting a quick vulnerability scan or a deep-dive security audit, the platform provides the data you need to prioritize risks. It is a go-to solution for security consultants, internal red teams, and IT managers who need to prove where their network is vulnerable.
Overview
Acunetix Features
- DeepScan Technology Crawl complex websites and single-page applications built with HTML5 and JavaScript to find vulnerabilities hidden deep in your code.
- AcuSensor Technology Combine black-box scanning with source code analysis to achieve higher detection rates and significantly reduce time-wasting false positives.
- Automated Vulnerability Management Prioritize risks automatically based on business impact so you can focus your remediation efforts on the most critical threats first.
- CI/CD Integration Connect security scans directly into your DevOps tools like Jenkins or Azure DevOps to catch vulnerabilities during the build process.
- Network Security Scanning Scan your perimeter network services alongside your web apps to identify open ports and insecure network configurations in one go.
- Interactive Reporting Generate specialized reports for developers or compliance auditors to meet regulatory requirements like PCI DSS, HIPAA, and ISO 27001.
Metasploit Features
- Exploit Database. Access thousands of verified exploits for various operating systems and applications to test your systems against real-world threats.
- Smart Exploitation. Automatically match vulnerabilities with the correct exploits to save time and increase the success rate of your penetration tests.
- Payload Generation. Create custom payloads that allow you to maintain access and move laterally through a network to test internal security controls.
- Vulnerability Validation. Import data from scanners like Nexpose to verify which vulnerabilities are actually exploitable and pose the highest risk to you.
- Post-Exploitation Tools. Use advanced modules to gather evidence, escalate privileges, and demonstrate the potential impact of a successful breach to stakeholders.
- Phishing Simulations. Launch social engineering campaigns to test your team's awareness and identify users who might be susceptible to real-world phishing attacks.
Pricing Comparison
Acunetix Pricing
Metasploit Pricing
- Command-line interface
- Manual exploitation
- Access to 2,000+ exploits
- Basic payload generation
- Community-driven updates
- Manual credential harvesting
- Everything in Framework, plus:
- Graphical user interface
- Automated exploitation wizard
- Phishing campaign builder
- Advanced reporting and evidence
- Vulnerability scanner integration
Pros & Cons
Acunetix
Pros
- Extremely low false positive rate saves manual verification time
- Fast scanning engine completes complex crawls quickly
- Detailed remediation guidance helps developers fix bugs faster
- Excellent coverage of modern JavaScript-heavy applications
Cons
- Pricing can be high for small organizations
- Initial configuration requires some technical security knowledge
- Reporting templates can feel rigid for custom needs
Metasploit
Pros
- Massive library of frequently updated exploits
- Industry standard tool for penetration testing
- Powerful automation features in the Pro version
- Excellent integration with other Rapid7 security products
- Highly customizable for advanced security researchers
Cons
- Steep learning curve for the command-line version
- Pro version pricing is high for small teams
- Can be flagged by antivirus software during testing