Huntress
Huntress is a managed security platform that combines automated detection with human expertise to protect small and mid-market businesses from persistent threats, ransomware, and unauthorized access.
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 | Huntress | Metasploit |
|---|---|---|
| Website | huntress.com | rapid7.com |
| Pricing Model | Custom | Freemium |
| Starting Price | Custom Pricing | Free |
| FREE Trial | ✓ 21 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 | 2015 | 2003 |
| Headquarters | Ellicott City, USA | Boston, USA |
Overview
Huntress
Huntress provides a managed security platform designed to protect your business from sophisticated cyberattacks that bypass traditional antivirus. You can secure your endpoints, identities, and Microsoft 365 environments through a combination of automated technology and a 24/7 Security Operations Center (SOC). Instead of managing complex alerts yourself, you receive actionable remediation steps from human experts who hunt for hidden threats across your entire digital footprint.
The platform focuses on stopping persistent footholds, ransomware, and business email compromise before they cause significant damage. You can deploy the lightweight agent across your fleet in minutes and start receiving verified security incidents immediately. It is specifically built for managed service providers and internal IT teams who need enterprise-grade protection without the overhead of a massive security staff.
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
Huntress Features
- Managed EDR Monitor your endpoints for suspicious activity and receive expert-verified alerts with clear instructions on how to stop active attacks.
- M365 Identity Protection Detect unauthorized logins and suspicious inbox rules in your Microsoft 365 environment to prevent costly business email compromise.
- Persistent Foothold Detection Find and remove the hidden entry points hackers use to maintain access to your systems even after a reboot.
- Managed Antivirus Centrally manage and optimize your existing Microsoft Defender settings to ensure your baseline protection is always active and effective.
- Ransomware Canary Deploy small files that act as tripwires to alert you the moment ransomware begins encrypting data on your local machines.
- External Reconnaissance Identify open ports and exposed services on your network that could serve as easy targets for external attackers.
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
Huntress 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
Huntress
Pros
- Human-verified alerts eliminate overwhelming false positives
- Lightweight agent has minimal impact on system performance
- Step-by-step remediation instructions make fixing issues simple
- Seamless integration with major MSP management tools
- Excellent 24/7 support from knowledgeable security analysts
Cons
- Pricing can be high for very small environments
- Dashboard lacks some advanced customization for power users
- Focuses primarily on Windows with limited macOS features
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