# Ridgeback Preemptive Security Platform vs The Honeynet Project: side-by-side comparison (2026) [Ridgeback Preemptive Security Platform](https://cybersectools.com/tools/ridgeback-preemptive-security-platform) is a commercial [honeypots & deception](https://cybersectools.com/categories/honeypots) solution by [Ridgeback Network Defense](https://cybersectools.com/companies/ridgeback-network-defense). [The Honeynet Project](https://cybersectools.com/tools/the-honeynet-project) is a free [honeypots & deception](https://cybersectools.com/categories/honeypots) solution by [The Honeynet Project](https://cybersectools.com/companies/the-honeynet-project). Features, integrations, deployment and the company behind each one, side by side. ## Side-by-side comparison | | Ridgeback Preemptive Security Platform | The Honeynet Project | |---|---|---| | Pricing model | Commercial | Free | | Category | Honeypots & Deception | Honeypots & Deception | | Verified | No | No | | Deployment type | On-Premises | On-Premises | | Company size fit | SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise | Startup, SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise | | Company | Ridgeback Network Defense | The Honeynet Project | | Headquarters | – | – | ### Use cases and capabilities | | Ridgeback Preemptive Security Platform | The Honeynet Project | |---|---|---| | Network Visibility | Yes | – | | Lateral Movement | Yes | – | | Open Source | – | Yes | | Security Research | – | Yes | ### Core features **Ridgeback Preemptive Security Platform** 8 features listed. Sign in on the page to see them. **The Honeynet Project** 7 features listed. Sign in on the page to see them. ### Integrations **Ridgeback Preemptive Security Platform** No integrations listed. **The Honeynet Project** 2 integrations listed. Sign in on the page to see them. ## Which one fits you Based on what each listing shows: deployment, company size, price and open source. - [The Honeynet Project](https://cybersectools.com/tools/the-honeynet-project) fits if you are a startup and you need a free product. ## Ridgeback Preemptive Security Platform vs The Honeynet Project FAQ Common questions when comparing Ridgeback Preemptive Security Platform vs The Honeynet Project for honeypots & deception. ### What is the difference between Ridgeback Preemptive Security Platform and The Honeynet Project? **Ridgeback Preemptive Security Platform**: Agentless network defense platform using deception to preemptively disrupt threats. Built by Ridgeback Network Defense. **The Honeynet Project**: Open-source nonprofit org developing honeypot tools & threat research. Built by The Honeynet Project. The table above shows where their features, integrations, deployment and company size fit differ. ### Who makes Ridgeback Preemptive Security Platform and The Honeynet Project? **Ridgeback Preemptive Security Platform** is made by Ridgeback Network Defense. **The Honeynet Project** is made by The Honeynet Project. The vendor behind a product decides its roadmap, support, and longevity, so check each company's profile before you commit. ### Is Ridgeback Preemptive Security Platform a good alternative to The Honeynet Project? Often, yes. Ridgeback Preemptive Security Platform and The Honeynet Project are both Honeypots & Deception products. Key differences: Ridgeback Preemptive Security Platform is Commercial while The Honeynet Project is Free. Use the table above to see where features, deployment and company size fit differ. ## Related comparisons - [Ridgeback Preemptive Security Platform vs PacketViper Deception360](https://cybersectools.com/compare/packetviper-deception360-vs-ridgeback-preemptive-security-platform) - [Ridgeback Preemptive Security Platform vs Acalvio ShadowPlex Cloud Security](https://cybersectools.com/compare/acalvio-shadowplex-cloud-security-vs-ridgeback-preemptive-security-platform) - [Ridgeback Preemptive Security Platform vs Thinkst Applied Research](https://cybersectools.com/compare/ridgeback-preemptive-security-platform-vs-thinkst-applied-research) - [The Honeynet Project vs PacketViper Deception360](https://cybersectools.com/compare/packetviper-deception360-vs-the-honeynet-project) - [The Honeynet Project vs Acalvio ShadowPlex Cloud Security](https://cybersectools.com/compare/acalvio-shadowplex-cloud-security-vs-the-honeynet-project) - [The Honeynet Project vs Thinkst Applied Research](https://cybersectools.com/compare/the-honeynet-project-vs-thinkst-applied-research) ## Alternatives to each - [See all Ridgeback Preemptive Security Platform alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/ridgeback-preemptive-security-platform) - [See all The Honeynet Project alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/the-honeynet-project) --- Source: https://cybersectools.com/compare/ridgeback-preemptive-security-platform-vs-the-honeynet-project For AI agents: each product above has its own Markdown page (add .md to its URL, for example https://cybersectools.com/tools/ridgeback-preemptive-security-platform.md). Every CybersecTools shortlist is listed at https://cybersectools.com/shortlists.md. More on Ridgeback Preemptive Security Platform and The Honeynet Project: 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