XlsGen vs CrossC2: 2026 Comparison
XlsGen is a free offensive security tool. CrossC2 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:
Penetration testers and red teamers who need to generate weaponized Excel files without touching a Windows machine will move faster with XlsGen; it generates BIFF8 files with 4.0 macros in pure code, eliminating the dependency on Microsoft Office entirely. The 44 GitHub stars reflect steady adoption among practitioners who've already ditched Excel-dependent macro generation workflows. Skip this if your team relies on social engineering payloads that need Office Open XML fidelity or modern macro obfuscation; XlsGen prioritizes delivery speed over evasion depth.
Red teams executing multi-platform campaigns will value CrossC2 for doing one thing exceptionally well: extending Cobalt Strike's command-and-control infrastructure to Linux and macOS without rebuilding your entire operational toolkit. The 2,546 GitHub stars and active maintenance signal a tool that actually works in production red team environments, not just in labs. Skip this if your operations are Windows-only or if you need post-exploitation capabilities beyond payload delivery; CrossC2 is strictly a C2 extender, not a replacement framework.
