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.

Feature	Censys	Metasploit
Overall Score	N/A	N/A
Primary Category	Security & Privacy	Security & Privacy

Product Overview

Censys

Description: 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.

Metasploit

Description: 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.

Key Features Comparison

Censys Features

• 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

Metasploit Features

• Exploit database
• Payload database
• Auxiliary modules
• Evasion modules
• Post-exploitation modules
• Scripting engine

Pros & Cons Analysis

Censys

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

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

Pricing Comparison

Censys

• Freemium
• Subscription-Based

Metasploit

• Open Source
• Free