Linux Exploit Suggester 2 vs PowerUp: Side-by-Side Comparison (2026)
Features, pricing, ratings, and pros & cons — compared head-to-head.
Linux Exploit Suggester 2 is a free penetration testing tool. PowerUp is a free penetration testing tool. Compare features, ratings, integrations, and community reviews side by side to find the best penetration testing fit for your security stack.
CST VerdictBased on our analysis of available product data, here is our conclusion:
Penetration testers and security researchers who need fast privilege escalation attack paths during engagements will get immediate value from Linux Exploit Suggester 2; it cuts the reconnaissance phase by matching kernel versions directly to exploitable CVEs without manual database hunting. The 1,960 GitHub stars and active maintenance mean the exploit signatures stay current enough for most standard Linux distributions. Skip this if you're looking for a full post-exploitation framework or something that handles non-kernel vulnerabilities; this tool is deliberately narrow, which is exactly why it's fast.
Penetration testers running Windows infrastructure assessments need PowerUp for its methodical enumeration of privilege escalation paths that exploits actually abuse; its 12,911 GitHub stars reflect adoption by operators who've validated it against real misconfigurations. The tool excels at the Identify function, systematically exposing Windows permission gaps and service exploits that other scanners miss or flag generically. Skip PowerUp if your team lacks Windows privilege escalation expertise or expects a GUI; it's a PowerShell script for operators, not a point-and-click platform.
