# Palo Alto Networks Cortex Xpanse vs Rapid7 Surface Command: side-by-side comparison (2026) [Palo Alto Networks Cortex Xpanse](https://cybersectools.com/tools/palo-alto-networks-cortex-xpanse) is a commercial [external attack surface management](https://cybersectools.com/categories/external-asm) solution by [Palo Alto Networks](https://cybersectools.com/companies/palo-alto-networks). [Rapid7 Surface Command](https://cybersectools.com/tools/rapid7-surface-command) is a commercial [cyber asset attack surface management](https://cybersectools.com/categories/caasm) solution by [Rapid7](https://cybersectools.com/companies/rapid7). Features, integrations, deployment and the company behind each one, side by side. ## Our take What our shortlists say about the one we picked. ### [Palo Alto Networks Cortex Xpanse](https://cybersectools.com/tools/palo-alto-networks-cortex-xpanse) Best for: Large companies wanting automated fixes for exposures It earns a place because it goes past listing exposures, since automated playbooks close them without a ticket, which suits a large company with a sprawling footprint. It fits mid-market and enterprise teams. Agree up front which fixes the playbooks may run on their own, because automatic changes to live assets need an owner. From [Best Attack Surface Management Solutions for Business](https://cybersectools.com/shortlists/best-attack-surface-solutions), Fall 2026. Reviewed by [Nika (Nikoloz) Kokhreidze](https://cybersectools.com/about). Need the answer fast? [Best Attack Surface Management Solutions for Business](https://cybersectools.com/shortlists/best-attack-surface-solutions) picks Palo Alto Networks Cortex Xpanse, Microsoft Defender EASM, Mandiant Attack Surface Management and 4 more. ## Side-by-side comparison | | Palo Alto Networks Cortex Xpanse | Rapid7 Surface Command | |---|---|---| | Pricing model | Commercial | Commercial | | Category | External Attack Surface Management | Cyber Asset Attack Surface Management | | Verified | No | No | | Deployment type | Cloud | Cloud | | Company size fit | Mid-Market, Enterprise | Mid-Market, Enterprise | | Company | Palo Alto Networks | Rapid7 | | Headquarters | – | – | ### Use cases and capabilities | | Palo Alto Networks Cortex Xpanse | Rapid7 Surface Command | |---|---|---| | Reconnaissance | Yes | Yes | | Cloud Native | – | Yes | ### Core features **Palo Alto Networks Cortex Xpanse** 10 features listed. Sign in on the page to see them. **Rapid7 Surface Command** 10 features listed. Sign in on the page to see them. ### Integrations **Palo Alto Networks Cortex Xpanse** 12 integrations listed. Sign in on the page to see them. **Rapid7 Surface Command** No integrations listed. ## Palo Alto Networks Cortex Xpanse vs Rapid7 Surface Command FAQ Common questions when comparing Palo Alto Networks Cortex Xpanse vs Rapid7 Surface Command for external attack surface management. ### What is the difference between Palo Alto Networks Cortex Xpanse and Rapid7 Surface Command? **Palo Alto Networks Cortex Xpanse**: Active attack surface mgmt solution for discovering & remediating unknown risks, built by Palo Alto Networks. **Rapid7 Surface Command**: Attack surface management platform providing continuous asset discovery and monitoring, built by Rapid7. The table above shows where their features, integrations, deployment and company size fit differ. ### Who makes Palo Alto Networks Cortex Xpanse and Rapid7 Surface Command? **Palo Alto Networks Cortex Xpanse** is made by Palo Alto Networks. **Rapid7 Surface Command** 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 Palo Alto Networks Cortex Xpanse a good alternative to Rapid7 Surface Command? In part. Palo Alto Networks Cortex Xpanse and Rapid7 Surface Command are not in the same category on CybersecTools. Both cover Reconnaissance. Use the table above to see where features, deployment and company size fit differ. ## Related comparisons - [Palo Alto Networks Cortex Xpanse vs DDactic Attack Surface Discovery](https://cybersectools.com/compare/ddactic-attack-surface-discovery-vs-palo-alto-networks-cortex-xpanse) - [Palo Alto Networks Cortex Xpanse vs Censys Attack Surface Management](https://cybersectools.com/compare/censys-attack-surface-management-vs-palo-alto-networks-cortex-xpanse) - [Palo Alto Networks Cortex Xpanse vs Matos Automated Attack Surface Management](https://cybersectools.com/compare/cloudmatos-automated-attack-surface-management-vs-palo-alto-networks-cortex-xpanse) - [Rapid7 Surface Command vs DDactic Attack Surface Discovery](https://cybersectools.com/compare/ddactic-attack-surface-discovery-vs-rapid7-surface-command) - [Rapid7 Surface Command vs Censys Attack Surface Management](https://cybersectools.com/compare/censys-attack-surface-management-vs-rapid7-surface-command) - [Rapid7 Surface Command vs Matos Automated Attack Surface Management](https://cybersectools.com/compare/cloudmatos-automated-attack-surface-management-vs-rapid7-surface-command) ## Alternatives to each - [See all Palo Alto Networks Cortex Xpanse alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/palo-alto-networks-cortex-xpanse) - [See all Rapid7 Surface Command alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/rapid7-surface-command) --- Source: https://cybersectools.com/compare/palo-alto-networks-cortex-xpanse-vs-rapid7-surface-command For AI agents: each product above has its own Markdown page (add .md to its URL, for example https://cybersectools.com/tools/palo-alto-networks-cortex-xpanse.md). Every CybersecTools shortlist is listed at https://cybersectools.com/shortlists.md. More on Palo Alto Networks Cortex Xpanse and Rapid7 Surface Command: 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