# Fortra VM vs Semperis Purple Knight: side-by-side comparison (2026)

[Fortra VM](https://cybersectools.com/tools/fortra-vm) is a commercial [vulnerability assessment](https://cybersectools.com/categories/vulnerability-assessment) solution by [Fortra](https://cybersectools.com/companies/fortra). [Semperis Purple Knight](https://cybersectools.com/tools/semperis-purple-knight) is a free [vulnerability assessment](https://cybersectools.com/categories/vulnerability-assessment) solution by [Semperis](https://cybersectools.com/companies/semperis). Features, integrations, deployment and the company behind each one, side by side.

## Side-by-side comparison

| | Fortra VM | Semperis Purple Knight |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Commercial | Free |
| Category | Vulnerability Assessment | Vulnerability Assessment |
| Verified | Verified | No |
| Deployment type | Cloud | Cloud |
| Company size fit | SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise | Startup, SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise |
| Company | Fortra | Semperis |
| Headquarters | – | – |

### Use cases and capabilities

| | Fortra VM | Semperis Purple Knight |
|---|---|---|
| Vulnerability Prioritization | Yes | – |
| Active Directory | – | Yes |
| Misconfiguration | – | Yes |

### Core features

**Fortra VM**

- Vulnerability scanning and identification
- Risk-based vulnerability prioritization
- Threat ranking based on real-world exploitation vectors
- Active risk scoring
- Network mapping and visualization
- Peer comparison with industry benchmarks
- Security GPA rating system
- Compliance and regulatory reporting

**Semperis Purple Knight**

10 features 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.

- [Semperis Purple Knight](https://cybersectools.com/tools/semperis-purple-knight) fits if you are a startup and you need a free product.

## Fortra VM vs Semperis Purple Knight FAQ

Common questions when comparing Fortra VM vs Semperis Purple Knight for vulnerability assessment.

### What is the difference between Fortra VM and Semperis Purple Knight?

**Fortra VM**: Risk-based vulnerability management platform for scanning and prioritization. Built by Fortra. Core capabilities include Vulnerability scanning and identification, Risk-based vulnerability prioritization, Threat ranking based on real-world exploitation vectors.

**Semperis Purple Knight**: Free AD, Entra ID, and Okta security assessment tool for vulnerability scanning. Built by Semperis.

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

### Who makes Fortra VM and Semperis Purple Knight?

**Fortra VM** is made by Fortra. **Semperis Purple Knight** is made by Semperis. The vendor behind a product decides its roadmap, support, and longevity, so check each company's profile before you commit.

### Is Fortra VM a good alternative to Semperis Purple Knight?

Often, yes. Fortra VM and Semperis Purple Knight are both Vulnerability Assessment products. Key differences: Fortra VM is Commercial while Semperis Purple Knight is Free. Use the table above to see where features, deployment and company size fit differ.

## Related comparisons

- [Fortra VM vs SentinelOne Singularity Vulnerability Management](https://cybersectools.com/compare/fortra-vm-vs-sentinelone-singularity-vulnerability-management)
- [Fortra VM vs Siemba GenVA](https://cybersectools.com/compare/fortra-vm-vs-siemba-genva)
- [Fortra VM vs Orca Cloud Vulnerability Management](https://cybersectools.com/compare/fortra-vm-vs-orca-cloud-vulnerability-management)
- [Semperis Purple Knight vs SentinelOne Singularity Vulnerability Management](https://cybersectools.com/compare/semperis-purple-knight-vs-sentinelone-singularity-vulnerability-management)
- [Semperis Purple Knight vs Siemba GenVA](https://cybersectools.com/compare/semperis-purple-knight-vs-siemba-genva)
- [Semperis Purple Knight vs Orca Cloud Vulnerability Management](https://cybersectools.com/compare/orca-cloud-vulnerability-management-vs-semperis-purple-knight)

## Alternatives to each

- [See all Fortra VM alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/fortra-vm)
- [See all Semperis Purple Knight alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/semperis-purple-knight)

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Source: https://cybersectools.com/compare/fortra-vm-vs-semperis-purple-knight

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

More on Fortra VM and Semperis Purple Knight: 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