Mystikal vs Ivy: 2026 Comparison
Mystikal is a free offensive security tool. Ivy is a free offensive security tool. Compare features, ratings, integrations, and community reviews side by side to find the best offensive security fit for your security stack.
CST VerdictBased on our analysis of available product data, here is our conclusion:
Red teamers running macOS-heavy adversary simulations will get the most from Mystikal because it generates payloads that actually land on target without the detection noise of generic frameworks. The tool is free and lives on GitHub, making it low-friction for teams already operating in that ecosystem. Skip this if your organization needs Windows or Linux payload generation; Mystikal is macOS-only and won't stretch beyond that scope.
Red teamers and penetration testers running Windows-focused assessments will find Ivy valuable for its direct approach to VBA-based code execution; it bypasses common detection patterns by executing shellcode in-memory without touching disk. With 744 GitHub stars and active maintenance, it's proven enough for lab work and controlled engagements. Skip this if your team needs post-exploitation frameworks with built-in persistence or lateral movement capabilities; Ivy is payload delivery, not command and control.
