# Core Security Cobalt Strike vs Rapid7 Metasploit: 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). [Rapid7 Metasploit](https://cybersectools.com/tools/rapid7-metasploit) is a commercial [penetration testing](https://cybersectools.com/categories/pentesting-tools) solution by [Rapid7](https://cybersectools.com/companies/rapid7). Features, integrations, deployment and the company behind each one, side by side.

## Side-by-side comparison

| | Core Security Cobalt Strike | Rapid7 Metasploit |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Commercial | Commercial |
| Category | Red-Team & Adversary Emulation | Penetration Testing |
| Verified | No | No |
| Deployment type | On-Premises | Hybrid |
| Company size fit | Mid-Market, Enterprise | SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise |
| Company | Core Security | Rapid7 |
| Headquarters | – | – |

### Use cases and capabilities

| | Core Security Cobalt Strike | Rapid7 Metasploit |
|---|---|---|
| Red Team | Yes | Yes |
| Post Exploitation | Yes | Yes |
| C2 | Yes | – |
| Evasion | Yes | – |
| Exploitation Framework | – | Yes |

### Core features

**Core Security Cobalt Strike**

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

**Rapid7 Metasploit**

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

### Integrations

**Core Security Cobalt Strike**

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

**Rapid7 Metasploit**

1 integration 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.

- [Core Security Cobalt Strike](https://cybersectools.com/tools/core-security-cobalt-strike) fits if you need to run it on your own servers.
- [Rapid7 Metasploit](https://cybersectools.com/tools/rapid7-metasploit) fits if you need both cloud and on-premises options and you are a small business.

## Core Security Cobalt Strike vs Rapid7 Metasploit FAQ

Common questions when comparing Core Security Cobalt Strike vs Rapid7 Metasploit for red-team & adversary emulation.

### What is the difference between Core Security Cobalt Strike and Rapid7 Metasploit?

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

**Rapid7 Metasploit**: Penetration testing software for simulating attacks and validating vulnerabilities. Built by Rapid7.

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

### Who makes Core Security Cobalt Strike and Rapid7 Metasploit?

**Core Security Cobalt Strike** is made by Core Security. **Rapid7 Metasploit** is made by Rapid7. 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 Rapid7 Metasploit?

In part. Core Security Cobalt Strike and Rapid7 Metasploit are not in the same category on CybersecTools. Both cover Post Exploitation, Red Team. 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)
- [Rapid7 Metasploit vs Core Security Outflank Security Tooling](https://cybersectools.com/compare/core-security-outflank-security-tooling-vs-rapid7-metasploit)
- [Rapid7 Metasploit vs Fortra Cobalt Strike](https://cybersectools.com/compare/fortra-cobalt-strike-vs-rapid7-metasploit)
- [Rapid7 Metasploit vs Core Security Bundles and Suites](https://cybersectools.com/compare/core-security-bundles-and-suites-vs-rapid7-metasploit)

## Alternatives to each

- [See all Core Security Cobalt Strike alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/core-security-cobalt-strike)
- [See all Rapid7 Metasploit alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/rapid7-metasploit)

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Source: https://cybersectools.com/compare/core-security-cobalt-strike-vs-rapid7-metasploit

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 Rapid7 Metasploit: 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