Linux Exploit Suggester (LES) vs PowerUp: Side-by-Side Comparison (2026)
Features, pricing, ratings, and pros & cons — compared head-to-head.
Linux Exploit Suggester (LES) 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 red teamers auditing Linux systems need Linux Exploit Suggester because it maps kernel versions directly to known privilege escalation exploits without requiring manual CVE research or exploit database subscriptions. The tool's 6,400+ GitHub stars reflect active community maintenance and real deployment feedback from practitioners who rely on it during engagements. Skip this if you're looking for post-exploitation automation or multi-OS coverage; LES is deliberately focused on the kernel enumeration-to-exploit matching problem and won't help you escalate beyond Linux or chain exploits together.
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.
