Metasploit Framework 6.5 is a powerful, open-source penetration testing framework suitable for security professionals who need to develop and execute exploits. Rapid7 InsightVM is a comprehensive vulnerability management solution ideal for organizations requiring continuous monitoring, automated scanning, and detailed compliance reporting. The choice depends on the specific needs: exploit development and manual testing versus automated vulnerability management and compliance.
| Attribute | Metasploit Framework 6.5 | Rapid7 InsightVM |
|---|---|---|
| Vulnerability Scanning | Comprehensively scans target systems, integrates with Nessus, uses auxiliary modules for information gathering. | Uses active and passive scanning, continuous monitoring, identifies vulnerabilities in applications, OS, network devices, and web applications. |
| Exploit Development and Execution | Allows rapid generation and optimization of exploit code, provides a platform for developing custom exploits, large database of exploits. | Leverages exploit knowledge from Metasploit and incorporates Rapid7's vulnerability research. |
| Reporting and Analytics | Reporting engine with standard and custom reports, customizable templates, reports in PDF, RTF, HTML, and Word. | Customizable reports and dashboards, live dashboards for real-time visibility, exposure analytics, reports in various formats (PDF, RTF, CSV, XML), trend analysis reports. |
| Automation and Scripting | Supports scripting and automation, custom scripts and modules, resource scripts for repetitive tasks, Ruby embedding for advanced automation. | RESTful API for integrations, automation workflows for tasks like endpoint containment or patching, integrates with InsightConnect for security workflow automation. |
| Integration | Integrates with vulnerability scanners (e.g., Nessus) and SIEM systems, integrates with vulnerability management systems and web application scanners. | Integrates with Rapid7's InsightConnect, SIEM tools, IT service management systems, endpoint protection platforms, LogRhythm NDR, ServiceNow Security Operations, CrowdStrike Falcon platform, and Project Sonar. |
| Supported Operating Systems | Ubuntu Linux, Windows Server, Windows 7/8.1/10, and Red Hat Enterprise Linux Server. | 64-bit versions of Linux (Ubuntu, Oracle Linux, SUSE Linux Enterprise Server, Alma Linux, Rocky Linux, Red Hat Enterprise Linux), and Microsoft Windows Server. Insight Agent supported on Microsoft Windows, macOS, and various Linux distributions. |
| Database Support | Requires a database; choice of creating a database after installation. | Not available |
| Community Support and Documentation | Large and helpful community, comprehensive documentation and usage guides. | Large support community, offers extensive documentation, Rapid7 provides customer and technical support. |
| User Interface | Command-line interface (MSFconsole) or a web browser (MSFWeb). Armitage GUI can visualize targets and recommend exploits. | Easy to navigate, intuitive user interface. |
| Scalability | Scales to support thousands of hosts and automate penetration testing steps. | The platform provides scalability. |
| Compliance Reporting | FISMA reports, custom templates for regional compliance needs. | Meets regulatory and industry standards with automated assessments against benchmarks like CIS, PCI DSS, and HIPAA. Customizable compliance reports, pre-built scan templates, Custom Policy Builder. |
| Pricing | Open source (Metasploit Framework), Metasploit Pro has a one-time purchase cost and an annual support fee. | Starts at $1.93 per asset per month when managing 500 assets, approximately $23.18 per asset annually. Minimum commitment of 512 assets, annual billing. Volume discounts available for over 1,250 assets. |
| False Positives | Not available | Some users report more false positives. |
| Resource Usage | Not available | Can consume a lot of memory, requires constant optimization. |
| Support Ticket Updates | Not available | Some users report long delays in technical support updating ticket status. |