# ConnectSecure Attack Surface Scanning vs Palo Alto Networks Cortex Xpanse: side-by-side comparison (2026) [ConnectSecure Attack Surface Scanning](https://cybersectools.com/tools/connectsecure-attack-surface-scanning) is a commercial [external attack surface management](https://cybersectools.com/categories/external-asm) solution by [ConnectSecure](https://cybersectools.com/companies/connectsecure). [Palo Alto Networks Cortex Xpanse](https://cybersectools.com/tools/palo-alto-networks-cortex-xpanse) is a commercial [external attack surface management](https://cybersectools.com/categories/external-asm) solution by [Palo Alto Networks](https://cybersectools.com/companies/palo-alto-networks). Features, integrations, deployment and the company behind each one, side by side. ## Our take What our shortlists say about the one we picked. ### [Palo Alto Networks Cortex Xpanse](https://cybersectools.com/tools/palo-alto-networks-cortex-xpanse) Best for: Large companies wanting automated fixes for exposures It earns a place because it goes past listing exposures, since automated playbooks close them without a ticket, which suits a large company with a sprawling footprint. It fits mid-market and enterprise teams. Agree up front which fixes the playbooks may run on their own, because automatic changes to live assets need an owner. From [Best Attack Surface Management Solutions for Business](https://cybersectools.com/shortlists/best-attack-surface-solutions), Fall 2026. Reviewed by [Nika (Nikoloz) Kokhreidze](https://cybersectools.com/about). Need the answer fast? [Best Attack Surface Management Solutions for Business](https://cybersectools.com/shortlists/best-attack-surface-solutions) picks Palo Alto Networks Cortex Xpanse, Microsoft Defender EASM, Mandiant Attack Surface Management and 4 more. ## Side-by-side comparison | | ConnectSecure Attack Surface Scanning | Palo Alto Networks Cortex Xpanse | |---|---|---| | Pricing model | Commercial | Commercial | | Category | External Attack Surface Management | External Attack Surface Management | | Verified | No | No | | Deployment type | Cloud | Cloud | | Company size fit | SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise | Mid-Market, Enterprise | | Company | ConnectSecure | Palo Alto Networks | | Headquarters | – | – | ### Use cases and capabilities | | ConnectSecure Attack Surface Scanning | Palo Alto Networks Cortex Xpanse | |---|---|---| | Reconnaissance | Yes | Yes | | Port Scanning | Yes | – | | Dark Web Monitoring | Yes | – | ### Core features **ConnectSecure Attack Surface Scanning** 10 features listed. Sign in on the page to see them. **Palo Alto Networks Cortex Xpanse** 10 features listed. Sign in on the page to see them. ### Integrations **ConnectSecure Attack Surface Scanning** 21 integrations listed. Sign in on the page to see them. **Palo Alto Networks Cortex Xpanse** 12 integrations listed. Sign in on the page to see them. ## Which one fits you Based on what each listing shows: deployment, company size, price and open source. - [ConnectSecure Attack Surface Scanning](https://cybersectools.com/tools/connectsecure-attack-surface-scanning) fits if you are a small business. ## ConnectSecure Attack Surface Scanning vs Palo Alto Networks Cortex Xpanse FAQ Common questions when comparing ConnectSecure Attack Surface Scanning vs Palo Alto Networks Cortex Xpanse for external attack surface management. ### What is the difference between ConnectSecure Attack Surface Scanning and Palo Alto Networks Cortex Xpanse? **ConnectSecure Attack Surface Scanning**: External attack surface scanning for MSPs to identify vulnerabilities. Built by ConnectSecure. **Palo Alto Networks Cortex Xpanse**: Active attack surface mgmt solution for discovering & remediating unknown risks. Built by Palo Alto Networks. The table above shows where their features, integrations, deployment and company size fit differ. ### Who makes ConnectSecure Attack Surface Scanning and Palo Alto Networks Cortex Xpanse? **ConnectSecure Attack Surface Scanning** is made by ConnectSecure. **Palo Alto Networks Cortex Xpanse** is made by Palo Alto Networks. The vendor behind a product decides its roadmap, support, and longevity, so check each company's profile before you commit. ### Is ConnectSecure Attack Surface Scanning a good alternative to Palo Alto Networks Cortex Xpanse? Often, yes. ConnectSecure Attack Surface Scanning and Palo Alto Networks Cortex Xpanse are both External Attack Surface Management products, and both cover Reconnaissance. Use the table above to see where features, deployment and company size fit differ. ## Related comparisons - [ConnectSecure Attack Surface Scanning vs DDactic Attack Surface Discovery](https://cybersectools.com/compare/connectsecure-attack-surface-scanning-vs-ddactic-attack-surface-discovery) - [ConnectSecure Attack Surface Scanning vs Aleph Search](https://cybersectools.com/compare/aleph-search-clear-vs-connectsecure-attack-surface-scanning) - [ConnectSecure Attack Surface Scanning vs Muscope|Risk - Attack Perimeter](https://cybersectools.com/compare/connectsecure-attack-surface-scanning-vs-muscopeorrisk-attack-perimeter) - [Palo Alto Networks Cortex Xpanse vs DDactic Attack Surface Discovery](https://cybersectools.com/compare/ddactic-attack-surface-discovery-vs-palo-alto-networks-cortex-xpanse) - [Palo Alto Networks Cortex Xpanse vs Aleph Search](https://cybersectools.com/compare/aleph-search-clear-vs-palo-alto-networks-cortex-xpanse) - [Palo Alto Networks Cortex Xpanse vs Muscope|Risk - Attack Perimeter](https://cybersectools.com/compare/muscopeorrisk-attack-perimeter-vs-palo-alto-networks-cortex-xpanse) ## Alternatives to each - [See all ConnectSecure Attack Surface Scanning alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/connectsecure-attack-surface-scanning) - [See all Palo Alto Networks Cortex Xpanse alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/palo-alto-networks-cortex-xpanse) --- Source: https://cybersectools.com/compare/connectsecure-attack-surface-scanning-vs-palo-alto-networks-cortex-xpanse For AI agents: each product above has its own Markdown page (add .md to its URL, for example https://cybersectools.com/tools/connectsecure-attack-surface-scanning.md). Every CybersecTools shortlist is listed at https://cybersectools.com/shortlists.md. More on ConnectSecure Attack Surface Scanning and Palo Alto Networks Cortex Xpanse: 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