Impacket vs Pig: 2026 Comparison
Impacket is a free offensive security tool. Pig is a free offensive security tool. Compare features, ratings, integrations, and community reviews side by side to find the best offensive security fit for your security stack.
CST VerdictBased on our analysis of available product data, here is our conclusion:
Red teamers and penetration testers who need to build custom attack chains will find Impacket indispensable; its Python-native SMB, Kerberos, and NTLM implementations let you craft protocol-level attacks that commercial tools either can't do or won't let you customize. The 14,800+ GitHub stars reflect real adoption in offensive engagements, and the library's low-level protocol handling means you can exploit edge cases that signature-based defenses miss. Skip this if your team wants a point-and-click interface; Impacket demands Python fluency and assumes you understand the protocols you're weaponizing.
Network security teams validating IDS/IPS signatures and testing evasion techniques will find Pig's packet crafting speed and low overhead unmatched for lab work; its 469 GitHub stars reflect active use among offensive security practitioners who need granular control over Linux packet construction. The tool excels at controlled, repeatable attack simulation where you own the test environment and understand what you're crafting. Skip Pig if you need GUI-driven workflows, cross-platform support, or a tool that doubles as a general network diagnostic utility; it's purpose-built for command-line operators who already think in packet layers.
