# Libcrafter vs Rapid7 Metasploit: side-by-side comparison (2026)

[Libcrafter](https://cybersectools.com/tools/libcrafter) is a free [penetration testing](https://cybersectools.com/categories/pentesting-tools) solution. [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

| | Libcrafter | Rapid7 Metasploit |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free | Commercial |
| Category | Penetration Testing | Penetration Testing |
| Verified | No | No |
| Deployment type | On-Premises | Hybrid |
| Company size fit | Mid-Market, Enterprise | SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise |
| GitHub stars | 311 | – |
| Last commit | Dec 2025 | – |
| Company | – | Rapid7 |
| Headquarters | – | – |

### Use cases and capabilities

| | Libcrafter | Rapid7 Metasploit |
|---|---|---|
| Packet Crafting | Yes | – |
| Exploitation Framework | – | Yes |
| Post Exploitation | – | Yes |
| Red Team | – | Yes |

### Core features

**Libcrafter**

No features listed.

**Rapid7 Metasploit**

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

### Integrations

**Libcrafter**

No integrations listed.

**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.

- [Libcrafter](https://cybersectools.com/tools/libcrafter) fits if you need to run it on your own servers, you need a free product and you want an open-source product.
- [Rapid7 Metasploit](https://cybersectools.com/tools/rapid7-metasploit) fits if you need both cloud and on-premises options and you are a small business.

## Libcrafter vs Rapid7 Metasploit FAQ

Common questions when comparing Libcrafter vs Rapid7 Metasploit for penetration testing.

### What is the difference between Libcrafter and Rapid7 Metasploit?

**Libcrafter**: A high-level C++ library for creating and decoding network packets with a Scapy-like interface.

**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 Libcrafter and Rapid7 Metasploit?

**Libcrafter** is open-source with 311 GitHub stars. **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 Libcrafter a good alternative to Rapid7 Metasploit?

Often, yes. Libcrafter and Rapid7 Metasploit are both Penetration Testing products. Key differences: Libcrafter is Free while Rapid7 Metasploit is Commercial, Libcrafter is open-source. Use the table above to see where features, deployment and company size fit differ.

## Related comparisons

- [Libcrafter vs Core Security Core Impact](https://cybersectools.com/compare/core-security-core-impact-vs-libcrafter)
- [Libcrafter vs CodeWall AI-Powered Pentesting](https://cybersectools.com/compare/codewall-ai-powered-pentesting-vs-libcrafter)
- [Libcrafter vs SecurityBoat TriNetra Agentic Pentest](https://cybersectools.com/compare/libcrafter-vs-securityboat-trinetra-agentic-pentest)
- [Rapid7 Metasploit vs Core Security Core Impact](https://cybersectools.com/compare/rapid7-metasploit-vs-core-security-core-impact)
- [Rapid7 Metasploit vs CodeWall AI-Powered Pentesting](https://cybersectools.com/compare/codewall-ai-powered-pentesting-vs-rapid7-metasploit)
- [Rapid7 Metasploit vs SecurityBoat TriNetra Agentic Pentest](https://cybersectools.com/compare/rapid7-metasploit-vs-securityboat-trinetra-agentic-pentest)

## Alternatives to each

- [See all Libcrafter alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/libcrafter)
- [See all Rapid7 Metasploit alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/rapid7-metasploit)

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Source: https://cybersectools.com/compare/libcrafter-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/libcrafter.md). Every CybersecTools shortlist is listed at https://cybersectools.com/shortlists.md.

More on Libcrafter 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