ics_mem_collect vs Endian 4i: 2026 Comparison
ics_mem_collect is a free industrial control system security tool. Endian 4i is a commercial industrial control system security tool by Endian. Compare features, ratings, integrations, and community reviews side by side to find the best industrial control system security fit for your security stack.
CST VerdictBased on our analysis of NIST CSF 2.0 coverage, core features, company size fit, deployment model, here is our conclusion:
ICS defenders doing firmware analysis and reverse engineering will find ics_mem_collect valuable for direct memory access on PLCs and RTUs without proprietary vendor tools; the free pricing and API-first design mean you can integrate it into existing automation workflows. The 31 GitHub stars signal early adoption among practitioners, though the project is still narrow in scope. This is not for buyers seeking a turnkey forensics platform or broad device coverage; ics_mem_collect is a developer tool that demands integration work and assumes you already know what memory regions matter to your devices.
Mid-market and enterprise OT teams defending distributed industrial networks will value Endian 4i's ruggedized appliance form factor and native support for legacy protocols without requiring network redesign. The -20°C to +60°C operating range and DIN rail mounting are built for factory floors, not data centers, and the hybrid deployment option lets you start physical and shift virtual as your environment matures. Skip this if your sites run primarily IT-standard infrastructure or if you need NIST Respond capabilities; Endian 4i prioritizes continuous monitoring and resilience architecture over incident recovery workflows.
