shad0w vs Fortra Cobalt Strike: 2026 Comparison
shad0w is a free offensive security tool. Fortra Cobalt Strike is a commercial offensive security tool by Fortra. 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 NIST CSF 2.0 coverage, core features, company size fit, deployment model, here is our conclusion:
Red teamers and penetration testers running assessments in high-EDR environments will get the most from shad0w because its fileless execution and memory-resident design sidestep signature-based detection that catches conventional post-exploitation frameworks. The 2,169 GitHub stars reflect active community validation across red team operations where stealth matters more than feature breadth. Skip this if you need a framework covering initial access through exfiltration; shad0w assumes you're already inside and only handles the covert persistence and lateral movement phase.
