PoshC2 vs Havoc: 2026 Comparison
PoshC2 is a free offensive security tool. Havoc 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 and penetration testers running command-and-control operations in restricted networks will prefer PoshC2 for its proxy-aware architecture; it routes traffic through existing infrastructure without requiring direct outbound access, which saves weeks of reconnaissance work that other frameworks demand. The modular payload design means you're not locked into fixed implant capabilities, letting you adapt to target environments instead of forcing targets to fit your tool. Skip this if your team needs operational security hardening or OPSEC logging at the framework level; PoshC2 assumes you're the threat actor controlling the network, not defending against one.
Red teams and penetration testers building custom C2 infrastructure will find Havoc's malleable profiles and team collaboration features faster to operationalize than Cobalt Strike, especially at zero cost. The 8,200-plus GitHub stars reflect active community contribution to payload obfuscation and evasion techniques that actually work against modern defenses. Skip this if your priority is managed C2 services or Windows-only operations; Havoc's strength is flexibility for operators who want to own their implant behavior, not outsource it.
