# Core Security Cobalt Strike vs GraphSpy: side-by-side comparison (2026)

[Core Security Cobalt Strike](https://cybersectools.com/tools/core-security-cobalt-strike) is a commercial [red-team & adversary emulation](https://cybersectools.com/categories/offensive-security) solution by [Core Security](https://cybersectools.com/companies/core-security). [GraphSpy](https://cybersectools.com/tools/graphspy) 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

| | Core Security Cobalt Strike | GraphSpy |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Commercial | Free |
| Category | Red-Team & Adversary Emulation | Red-Team & Adversary Emulation |
| Verified | No | No |
| Deployment type | On-Premises | On-Premises |
| Company size fit | Mid-Market, Enterprise | Mid-Market, Enterprise |
| GitHub stars | – | 1,176 |
| Last commit | – | Dec 2025 |
| Company | Core Security | – |
| Headquarters | – | – |

### Use cases and capabilities

| | Core Security Cobalt Strike | GraphSpy |
|---|---|---|
| Red Team | Yes | – |
| Post Exploitation | Yes | Yes |
| C2 | Yes | – |
| Evasion | Yes | – |
| Azure | – | Yes |
| Reconnaissance | – | Yes |
| Office 365 | – | Yes |
| Microsoft 365 | – | Yes |
| Active Directory | – | Yes |

### Core features

**Core Security Cobalt Strike**

6 features listed. Sign in on the page to see them.

**GraphSpy**

No features listed.

### Integrations

**Core Security Cobalt Strike**

2 integrations listed. Sign in on the page to see them.

**GraphSpy**

No integrations listed.

## Which one fits you

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

- [GraphSpy](https://cybersectools.com/tools/graphspy) fits if you need a free product and you want an open-source product.

## Core Security Cobalt Strike vs GraphSpy FAQ

Common questions when comparing Core Security Cobalt Strike vs GraphSpy for red-team & adversary emulation.

### What is the difference between Core Security Cobalt Strike and GraphSpy?

**Core Security Cobalt Strike**: Post-exploitation threat emulation platform for red team operations. Built by Core Security.

**GraphSpy**: GraphSpy is a browser-based post-exploitation tool for Azure Active Directory and Office 365 environments that enables token management, reconnaissance, and interaction with Microsoft 365 services.

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

### Who makes Core Security Cobalt Strike and GraphSpy?

**Core Security Cobalt Strike** is made by Core Security. **GraphSpy** is open-source with 1,176 GitHub stars. The vendor behind a product decides its roadmap, support, and longevity, so check each company's profile before you commit.

### Is Core Security Cobalt Strike a good alternative to GraphSpy?

Often, yes. Core Security Cobalt Strike and GraphSpy are both Red-Team & Adversary Emulation products, and both cover Post Exploitation. Key differences: Core Security Cobalt Strike is Commercial while GraphSpy is Free, GraphSpy is open-source. Use the table above to see where features, deployment and company size fit differ.

## Related comparisons

- [Core Security Cobalt Strike vs Core Security Outflank Security Tooling](https://cybersectools.com/compare/core-security-cobalt-strike-vs-core-security-outflank-security-tooling)
- [Core Security Cobalt Strike vs Fortra Cobalt Strike](https://cybersectools.com/compare/core-security-cobalt-strike-vs-fortra-cobalt-strike)
- [Core Security Cobalt Strike vs Core Security Bundles and Suites](https://cybersectools.com/compare/core-security-bundles-and-suites-vs-core-security-cobalt-strike)
- [GraphSpy vs Core Security Outflank Security Tooling](https://cybersectools.com/compare/core-security-outflank-security-tooling-vs-graphspy)
- [GraphSpy vs Fortra Cobalt Strike](https://cybersectools.com/compare/fortra-cobalt-strike-vs-graphspy)
- [GraphSpy vs Core Security Bundles and Suites](https://cybersectools.com/compare/core-security-bundles-and-suites-vs-graphspy)

## Alternatives to each

- [See all Core Security Cobalt Strike alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/core-security-cobalt-strike)
- [See all GraphSpy alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/graphspy)

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Source: https://cybersectools.com/compare/core-security-cobalt-strike-vs-graphspy

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

More on Core Security Cobalt Strike and GraphSpy: 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