# Magnet Forensics vs Softrace: side-by-side comparison (2026)

[Magnet Forensics](https://cybersectools.com/tools/magnet-forensics) is a commercial [digital forensics](https://cybersectools.com/categories/digital-forensics) solution by [Magnet Forensics](https://cybersectools.com/companies/magnet-forensics). [Softrace](https://cybersectools.com/tools/softrace) is a free [digital forensics](https://cybersectools.com/categories/digital-forensics) solution. Features, integrations, deployment and the company behind each one, side by side.

## Side-by-side comparison

| | Magnet Forensics | Softrace |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Commercial | Free |
| Category | Digital Forensics | Digital Forensics |
| Verified | No | No |
| Deployment type | Hybrid | On-Premises |
| Company size fit | Mid-Market, Enterprise | Startup, SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise |
| GitHub stars | – | 2 |
| Last commit | – | Mar 2021 |
| Company | Magnet Forensics | – |
| Headquarters | – | – |

### Use cases and capabilities

| | Magnet Forensics | Softrace |
|---|---|---|
| Memory Forensics | Yes | – |
| Cloud Forensics | Yes | – |
| Disk Image | Yes | – |
| Evidence Collection | Yes | – |
| Investigation | Yes | – |
| Windows Forensics | Yes | – |
| Triage | Yes | – |
| Case Management | Yes | – |
| iOS | Yes | – |
| File Analysis | – | Yes |
| Open Source | – | Yes |

### Core features

**Magnet Forensics**

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

**Softrace**

No features listed.

## Which one fits you

Based on what each listing shows: deployment, company size, price and open source.

- [Magnet Forensics](https://cybersectools.com/tools/magnet-forensics) fits if you need both cloud and on-premises options.
- [Softrace](https://cybersectools.com/tools/softrace) fits if you need to run it on your own servers, you are a startup or a small business, you need a free product and you want an open-source product.

## Magnet Forensics vs Softrace FAQ

Common questions when comparing Magnet Forensics vs Softrace for digital forensics.

### What is the difference between Magnet Forensics and Softrace?

**Magnet Forensics**: Digital forensics platform for evidence acquisition, analysis, and DFIR, built by Magnet Forensics.

**Softrace**: A Golang application that stores and queries NIST NSRL Reference Data Set for MD5 and SHA1 hash lookups using Bolt database technology.

The table above shows where their features, integrations, deployment and company size fit differ.

### Who makes Magnet Forensics and Softrace?

**Magnet Forensics** is made by Magnet Forensics. **Softrace** is open-source with 2 GitHub stars. The vendor behind a product decides its roadmap, support, and longevity, so check each company's profile before you commit.

### Is Magnet Forensics a good alternative to Softrace?

Often, yes. Magnet Forensics and Softrace are both Digital Forensics products. Key differences: Magnet Forensics is Commercial while Softrace is Free, Softrace is open-source. Use the table above to see where features, deployment and company size fit differ.

## Related comparisons

- [Magnet Forensics vs Cellebrite Digital Forensics Platform](https://cybersectools.com/compare/cellebrite-digital-forensics-platform-vs-magnet-forensics)
- [Magnet Forensics vs Cyacomb](https://cybersectools.com/compare/cyacomb-vs-magnet-forensics)
- [Magnet Forensics vs DigiStor WiebeTech](https://cybersectools.com/compare/digistor-wiebetech-vs-magnet-forensics)
- [Softrace vs Cellebrite Digital Forensics Platform](https://cybersectools.com/compare/cellebrite-digital-forensics-platform-vs-softrace)
- [Softrace vs Cyacomb](https://cybersectools.com/compare/cyacomb-vs-softrace)
- [Softrace vs DigiStor WiebeTech](https://cybersectools.com/compare/digistor-wiebetech-vs-softrace)

## Alternatives to each

- [See all Magnet Forensics alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/magnet-forensics)
- [See all Softrace alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/softrace)

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Source: https://cybersectools.com/compare/magnet-forensics-vs-softrace

For AI agents: each product above has its own Markdown page (add .md to its URL, for example https://cybersectools.com/tools/magnet-forensics.md). Every CybersecTools shortlist is listed at https://cybersectools.com/shortlists.md.

More on Magnet Forensics and Softrace: 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