# Cobalt Strike's ExternalC2 framework vs Macro_Pack: side-by-side comparison (2026)

[Cobalt Strike's ExternalC2 framework](https://cybersectools.com/tools/cobalt-strikes-externalc2-framework) is a free [red-team & adversary emulation](https://cybersectools.com/categories/offensive-security) solution. [Macro_Pack](https://cybersectools.com/tools/macropack) is a free [red-team & adversary emulation](https://cybersectools.com/categories/offensive-security) solution. Features, integrations, deployment and the company behind each one, side by side.

## Side-by-side comparison

| | Cobalt Strike's ExternalC2 framework | Macro_Pack |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free | Free |
| Category | Red-Team & Adversary Emulation | Red-Team & Adversary Emulation |
| Verified | No | No |
| Deployment type | On-Premises | On-Premises |
| Company size fit | Enterprise | Mid-Market, Enterprise |
| GitHub stars | – | 2,300 |
| Last commit | – | Aug 2024 |

### Use cases and capabilities

| | Cobalt Strike's ExternalC2 framework | Macro_Pack |
|---|---|---|
| C2 | Yes | – |
| Red Team | – | Yes |
| Obfuscation | – | Yes |
| Evasion | – | Yes |
| Payload Generation | – | Yes |

## Which one fits you

Based on what each listing shows: deployment, company size, price and open source.

- [Macro_Pack](https://cybersectools.com/tools/macropack) fits if you are a mid-market company and you want an open-source product.

## Cobalt Strike's ExternalC2 framework vs Macro_Pack FAQ

Common questions when comparing Cobalt Strike's ExternalC2 framework vs Macro_Pack for red-team & adversary emulation.

### What is the difference between Cobalt Strike's ExternalC2 framework and Macro_Pack?

**Cobalt Strike's ExternalC2 framework**: A specification/framework for extending default C2 communication channels in Cobalt Strike.

**Macro_Pack**: Macro_Pack automates the generation and obfuscation of Office documents and scripts for penetration testing and security assessments.

The table above shows where their features, integrations, deployment and company size fit differ.

### Is Cobalt Strike's ExternalC2 framework a good alternative to Macro_Pack?

Often, yes. Cobalt Strike's ExternalC2 framework and Macro_Pack are both Red-Team & Adversary Emulation products. Key differences: Macro_Pack is open-source. Use the table above to see where features, deployment and company size fit differ.

## Related comparisons

- [Cobalt Strike's ExternalC2 framework vs Core Security Outflank Security Tooling](https://cybersectools.com/compare/cobalt-strikes-externalc2-framework-vs-core-security-outflank-security-tooling)
- [Cobalt Strike's ExternalC2 framework vs Core Security Cobalt Strike](https://cybersectools.com/compare/cobalt-strikes-externalc2-framework-vs-core-security-cobalt-strike)
- [Cobalt Strike's ExternalC2 framework vs Fortra Cobalt Strike](https://cybersectools.com/compare/cobalt-strikes-externalc2-framework-vs-fortra-cobalt-strike)
- [Macro_Pack vs Core Security Outflank Security Tooling](https://cybersectools.com/compare/core-security-outflank-security-tooling-vs-macropack)
- [Macro_Pack vs Core Security Cobalt Strike](https://cybersectools.com/compare/core-security-cobalt-strike-vs-macropack)
- [Macro_Pack vs Fortra Cobalt Strike](https://cybersectools.com/compare/fortra-cobalt-strike-vs-macropack)

## Alternatives to each

- [See all Cobalt Strike's ExternalC2 framework alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/cobalt-strikes-externalc2-framework)
- [See all Macro_Pack alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/macropack)

---

Source: https://cybersectools.com/compare/cobalt-strikes-externalc2-framework-vs-macropack

For AI agents: each product above has its own Markdown page (add .md to its URL, for example https://cybersectools.com/tools/cobalt-strikes-externalc2-framework.md). Every CybersecTools shortlist is listed at https://cybersectools.com/shortlists.md.

More on Cobalt Strike's ExternalC2 framework and Macro_Pack: funding, momentum, hiring and news, plus the full product and company record, are available through the Mandos MCP Server (paid plans), which connects to AI assistants: https://mandos.io/mcp?utm_source=cybersectools.com&utm_medium=compare-md