checkra1n vs Fridump: 2026 Comparison
checkra1n is a free offensive security tool. Fridump is a free offensive security tool. Compare features, ratings, integrations, and community reviews side by side to find the best offensive security fit for your security stack.
CST VerdictBased on our analysis of available product data, here is our conclusion:
Penetration testers and iOS security researchers targeting iPhone 5s through iPhone X need checkra1n for its semi-tethered access to A9-A11 chipsets via the unfixable checkm8 bootrom exploit, which remains unpatched across all iOS versions. The exploit persists because Apple cannot patch bootrom vulnerabilities in hardware already in the field, making checkra1n the only reliable jailbreak for these legacy devices in controlled testing environments. Skip this tool if your scope includes iPhone XS and newer; checkra1n's bootrom approach doesn't reach A12 and later chips, and you'll waste time on incompatible devices.
Mobile application security testers and red teamers need Fridump because it hooks into running processes via Frida to extract memory at runtime without requiring root or junk reverse engineering workflows. The 838 GitHub stars reflect active adoption among practitioners who regularly test iOS and Android apps, and the zero licensing cost means you can deploy it across your entire assessment team without procurement friction. Skip this if you need a polished GUI or vendor support; Fridump is command-line only and maintained by the community, so you're troubleshooting your own memory dumps.
