Censys vs Metasploit

Struggling to choose between Censys and Metasploit? Both products offer unique advantages, making it a tough decision.

Censys is a Security & Privacy solution with tags like search-engine, cybersecurity, device-scanning.

It boasts features such as Internet-wide search engine for devices, Scans IPv4 space for open ports and services, Provides details on software versions, certificates, and more, API access for automated queries, Customizable search filters, Historical data on changes over time and pros including Comprehensive visibility into Internet-connected assets, Helps identify vulnerabilities and misconfigurations, Useful for penetration testing, network mapping, and threat hunting, Powerful API for integrating into workflows, Free tier available with generous usage limits.

On the other hand, Metasploit is a Security & Privacy product tagged with exploitation, vulnerability-testing, offensive-security.

Its standout features include Exploit database, Payload database, Auxiliary modules, Evasion modules, Post-exploitation modules, Scripting engine, and it shines with pros like Comprehensive and frequently updated exploit database, Large collection of payloads, Modular architecture, Built-in evasion techniques, Powerful CLI and scripting capabilities, Active community support.

To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison of these two products, delving into their features, pros, cons, pricing, and more. Get ready to explore the nuances that set them apart and determine which one is the perfect fit for your requirements.

Censys

Censys

Censys is a search engine that allows users to view information on servers, websites, and devices that are connected to the internet. It provides insights into open ports, software versions, IP addresses, and more to improve cybersecurity.

Categories:
search-engine cybersecurity device-scanning

Censys Features

  1. Internet-wide search engine for devices
  2. Scans IPv4 space for open ports and services
  3. Provides details on software versions, certificates, and more
  4. API access for automated queries
  5. Customizable search filters
  6. Historical data on changes over time

Pricing

  • Freemium
  • Subscription-Based

Pros

Comprehensive visibility into Internet-connected assets

Helps identify vulnerabilities and misconfigurations

Useful for penetration testing, network mapping, and threat hunting

Powerful API for integrating into workflows

Free tier available with generous usage limits

Cons

Limited coverage of IPv6 space

No built-in vulnerability scanning

Can only view limited details without a paid account

Data not updated in real time

Requires technical knowledge to use effectively


Metasploit

Metasploit

Metasploit is an open source penetration testing framework that helps security professionals find, exploit, and validate vulnerabilities. It includes a database of known exploits and payloads that can be used to simulate attacks against systems to test their security.

Categories:
exploitation vulnerability-testing offensive-security

Metasploit Features

  1. Exploit database
  2. Payload database
  3. Auxiliary modules
  4. Evasion modules
  5. Post-exploitation modules
  6. Scripting engine

Pricing

  • Open Source
  • Free

Pros

Comprehensive and frequently updated exploit database

Large collection of payloads

Modular architecture

Built-in evasion techniques

Powerful CLI and scripting capabilities

Active community support

Cons

Can be complex for beginners

Requires familiarity with penetration testing concepts

Exploits can be unreliable and may crash targets

Legal and ethical concerns around offensive security testing