# Core Security Cobalt Strike vs Modlishka: 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). [Modlishka](https://cybersectools.com/tools/modlishka) 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 | Modlishka |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Startup, SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise |
| GitHub stars | – | 5,285 |
| Last commit | – | Jan 2026 |
| Company | Core Security | – |
| Headquarters | – | – |

### Use cases and capabilities

| | Core Security Cobalt Strike | Modlishka |
|---|---|---|
| Red Team | Yes | Yes |
| Post Exploitation | Yes | – |
| C2 | Yes | – |
| Evasion | Yes | – |
| Open Source | – | Yes |

### Core features

**Core Security Cobalt Strike**

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

**Modlishka**

No features listed.

### Integrations

**Core Security Cobalt Strike**

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

**Modlishka**

No integrations listed.

## Which one fits you

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

- [Modlishka](https://cybersectools.com/tools/modlishka) fits if you are a startup or a small business, you need a free product and you want an open-source product.

## Core Security Cobalt Strike vs Modlishka FAQ

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

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

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

**Modlishka**: Modlishka is a reverse proxy tool for intercepting and manipulating HTTP traffic, ideal for penetration testers, security researchers, and developers to analyze and test web applications.

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

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

**Core Security Cobalt Strike** is made by Core Security. **Modlishka** is open-source with 5,285 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 Modlishka?

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

## Alternatives to each

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

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

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 Modlishka: 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