# Core Security Cobalt Strike vs Macro_Pack: 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). [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

| | Core Security Cobalt Strike | Macro_Pack |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | – | 2,300 |
| Last commit | – | Aug 2024 |
| Company | Core Security | – |
| Headquarters | – | – |

### Use cases and capabilities

| | Core Security Cobalt Strike | Macro_Pack |
|---|---|---|
| Red Team | Yes | Yes |
| Post Exploitation | Yes | – |
| C2 | Yes | – |
| Evasion | Yes | Yes |
| Obfuscation | – | Yes |
| Payload Generation | – | Yes |

### Core features

**Core Security Cobalt Strike**

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

**Macro_Pack**

No features listed.

### Integrations

**Core Security Cobalt Strike**

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

**Macro_Pack**

No integrations listed.

## 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 need a free product and you want an open-source product.

## Core Security Cobalt Strike vs Macro_Pack FAQ

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

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

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

**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.

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

**Core Security Cobalt Strike** is made by Core Security. **Macro_Pack** is open-source with 2,300 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 Macro_Pack?

Often, yes. Core Security Cobalt Strike and Macro_Pack are both Red-Team & Adversary Emulation products, and both cover Red Team, Evasion. Key differences: Core Security Cobalt Strike is Commercial while Macro_Pack is Free, Macro_Pack 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)
- [Macro_Pack vs Core Security Outflank Security Tooling](https://cybersectools.com/compare/core-security-outflank-security-tooling-vs-macropack)
- [Macro_Pack vs Fortra Cobalt Strike](https://cybersectools.com/compare/fortra-cobalt-strike-vs-macropack)
- [Macro_Pack vs Core Security Bundles and Suites](https://cybersectools.com/compare/core-security-bundles-and-suites-vs-macropack)

## Alternatives to each

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

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

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 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