Knockknock vs Zeek Agent: 2026 Comparison
Knockknock is a free endpoint detection and response tool. Zeek Agent is a free endpoint detection and response tool. Compare features, ratings, integrations, and community reviews side by side to find the best endpoint detection and response fit for your security stack.
CST VerdictBased on our analysis of available product data, here is our conclusion:
Mac-focused security teams with limited budgets should start with Knockknock to audit persistence mechanisms that commodity malware relies on, especially rootkits and launch agents that traditional antivirus misses. It's free and open-source, so deployment friction is near zero and you can inspect the code yourself. Skip this if you need real-time prevention or cross-platform coverage; Knockknock is a forensic scanner for macOS, not an EDR replacement.
Linux and macOS teams running Zeek already have a natural home for Zeek Agent; it pipes endpoint telemetry directly into your existing detection pipeline without requiring a separate platform. The tool captures file, socket, and process events at the kernel level, giving you raw visibility that feeds Zeek's network detection logic rather than forcing you into a separate EDR console. This is not for buyers shopping for a standalone endpoint tool with its own alerting and response capabilities; Zeek Agent is a collector, not an analyst, and you'll need Zeek expertise to turn events into actionable rules.
