Most Popular Penetration Testing Tools for Companies and Pentesters

With the global cost of cybercrimes estimated to reach 9.2 trillion in 2024, which is Japan’s GDP doubled, it is more critical now than ever to mitigate threats posed by attackers. As a business owner or security analyst, how can you mitigate such threats?

While hundreds of penetration testing tools promise complete cybersecurity solutions for enterprises and analysts, finding the perfect match that suits your needs can be like looking for a needle in a haystack.

Our security experts have handpicked the 28 best pentesting tools that focus on your non-negotiables, including but not limited to cost, timeline, functionality, technical knowledge, deployment, and pentest capabilities. Be it some of the top pentest companies or white-hat hackers; all use these tools to stay a notch ahead.

Top 3 Penetration Testing Tools Overall

• Astra Pentest
• Acunetix
• Burp Suite Professional

Top 6 Open Source Penetration Testing Tools

• Kali Linux
• OpenVAS
• JohnTheRipper
• Metasploit
• Ettercap
• NMap

Top 5 Penetration Testing Tools for Companies

• Astra Pentest
• Cobalt Strike
• Nessus Professional
• Rapid7
• IndusfaceWAS

How to Choose a Penetration Testing Tool

When selecting a pentesting tool, enterprises and security analysts have distinct priorities. Here is a summary of these priorities; you can find a detailed analysis of this section further down in the blog.

1. Enterprise Priorities

• A complete set of tools for multi-asset infrastructures
• End-to-end pentesting, vulnerability management, and support
• Integration with existing workflows
• Detailed reporting

2. Security Analyst Priorities

• Individual tool capabilities (effectiveness, flexibility, ease of use)
• Vulnerability assessment tools over penetration testing tools
• Sole user

3. Common Criteria

• Effectiveness: Tools that effectively uncover vulnerabilities
• Cost: Cost-effective solutions without compromising on the quality
• Asset Specialization: Tools meant for specific assets (web applications, mobile devices, cloud environments)
• Accuracy: Accurate identification of vulnerabilities

Features	Astra Pentest	Burp Suite	Cobalt Strike
Pentest Capabilities	Continuous automated scans with manual tests for multiple assets	Automated and manual scans for web apps	Automated adversary emulation and manual penetration testing for networks
Accuracy	Zero false positives	False positives possible	False positives possible
Compliance	PCI-DSS, HIPAA, GDPR, ISO, PCI-DSS & SOC2	PCI-DSS, OWASP Top 10, HIPAA, and GDPR	-
Expert Remediation	Yes	No	No
Workflow Integrations	Slack, Jira, GitHub, GitLab, Jenkins, and more	Slack, Jira, Jenkins, GitLab, and more	Outflank Security Tooling and Core Impact
Pricing	Starting at $1999/yr	$449/yr/user	Available on quote

Best Pentesting Tools for Companies/Enterprises

1. The Complete Pentest Platform: Astra Pentest

Key Features:

• Platform: Online
• Pentest Capability: Continuous automated scans with manual tests 
• Accuracy: Zero false positives
• Compliance: PCI-DSS, HIPAA, ISO27001, and SOC2
• Expert Remediation: Yes
• Integration:  Slack, Jira, GitHub, GitLab, Jenkins, and more
• Price: Starting at $1999/yr
• Best Suited For: Vulnerability assessments and penetration testing

The Astra Pentest Platform is a comprehensive penetration testing suite that combines our automated vulnerability scanner with AI and manual pentesting capabilities in compliance with various industry standards, including OWASP TOP 10 and SANS 25.

While expert-vetted scans ensure zero false positives, the in-depth hacker-style manual pentests reveal critical vulnerabilities like payment gateway hacks and business logic errors.

The plug-n-play SaaS tool includes a convenient Chrome extension for login recording, enabling authenticated scans behind login pages without redundant reauthentication.

All in all, with over 50 years of combined experience of security engineers and a portfolio of 9,300+ automated test cases and compliance checks, Astra empowers enterprises and security analysts to achieve their security goals.

Pros:

• Seamlessly integrate with your CI/CD pipeline
• Continuously scan for vulnerabilities with regularly updated scanner rules
• Collaborate with security experts with OSCP, CEH & CVEs under their name
• Rapidly prioritize and remediate vulnerabilities
• Generate custom executive and developer-friendly reports

Limitations:

• Only a 1-week free trial is available

2. Acunetix

Key Features:

• Platform: Windows, macOS
• Pentest Capability: Continuous automated scanning for web applications
• Accuracy: False positives possible
• Compliance: OWASP, SOC2, NIST, HIPAA, and ISO 27001 
• Expert Remediation: No
• Integration: GitHub, Jira, and Atlassian
• Price: $1958/yr (Vulnerability Scanning only. Pentest pricing available on demand)
• Best Suited For: Application scanning and security testing

As a dedicated pentest scanner with advanced features, Acunetix automates the process as much as possible. It scans your applications for over 4,500 vulnerabilities, including common threats like SQL and XSS injections.

Acunetix offers simple workflow integrations and detailed reports with proof-of-concept examples to help improve the efficiency of remediation efforts for an enterprise.

Pros:

• Intelligent automated scanning tool
• Easy to navigate and learn

Limitations:

• Limitations in vulnerability detection as specific bugs need manual insight
• Can generate false positives

3. Burp Suite Professional

Key Features:

• Platform: Windows, macOS, Linux
• Pentest Capability: Automated and manual scans for web apps
• Accuracy: False positives possible
• Compliance: PCI-DSS, OWASP Top 10, HIPAA, and GDPR
• Expert Remediation: No
• Integration:  Slack, Jira, Jenkins, GitLab, and more 
• Price: $449/yr/user
• Best Suited For: Web app security audit

Burp Suite Professional is one of the best pentesting tools for web apps that offers a variety of features for manual and automated testing. It pinpoints vulnerabilities by intercepting and manipulating web traffic, automating repetitive tasks, fuzzing, and brute-forcing logins.

It detects common vulnerabilities such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and insecure direct object references (IDORs). Burp Suite also offers easy integration with external tools for a smooth user experience.

Pros:

• Offers a variety of extensions to enhance performance
• Automates routine testing processes

Limitations:

• Crashes and socket connection errors have been reported
• Does not highlight information leakage, such as personal and financial data

4. Cobalt Strike

Key Features:

• Platform: Networks and systems
• Pentest Capability: Automated adversary emulation and manual penetration testing.
• Accuracy: False positives possible
• Compliance: None
• Expert Remediation: No
• Integration: Outflank Security Tooling and Core Impact
• Price: Available on quote
• Best Suited For: Network vulnerability scanning

As a well-known commercial platform for advanced adversary emulation and network penetration testing, Cobalt Strike by Fortra is the ideal match for an enterprise with a more hands-on approach. It allows you to tailor payloads, evasion techniques, and attack methodologies.

The tools offer a vibrant community and resource repository, offering tutorials, plugins, and knowledge-sharing resources for CXOs and CTOs. 

Pros:

• Variety of built-in modules for crafting targeted attacks
• Features an exclusive and extensive exploit database

Limitations:

• Downloads can take hours, even for a few megabytes
• Can be expensive for SMEs

5. Rapid7

Key Features:

• Platform: Cloud and Web Applications
• Pentest Capability: Continuous automated scanning and manual pentests
• Accuracy: False positives possible
• Compliance: CIS, ISO 27001, and PCI DSS
• Expert Remediation: No
• Integration: ServiceNow Security Operations, LogRhythm NDR, and ManageEngine
• Price: Available on quote
• Best Suited For: Network and systems vulnerability scanning

Rapid7 offers a unified penetration testing platform that empowers enterprises to achieve sustainable security across the entire attack surface. It understands the challenges of managing complex security landscapes and offers end-to-end vulnerability management.

With vulnerability scanning, external penetration testing, security orchestration, and automation response (SOAR) in its portfolio, Rapid7 helps generate third-party pentest reports to facilitate compliance audits.

Pros:

• Provides in-depth visibility into vulnerabilities and threats
• User-friendly interface

Limitations:

• Relatively high priced for SMEs and startups
• Turnaround on technical support can be slow

Best Web Application Security Tools

1. Kali Linux

Key Features:

• Target: Online and physical systems, applications, and networks
• Pentest Capabilities: Unlimited Scans for vulnerability scanning, exploitation, privilege escalation, and post-exploitation
• Deployment Capabilities: Installer packages for live boot and disk installation
• Accuracy: False positives are possible
• Price: Open-source OS

With 600+ pre-installed security tools, Kali Linux is a holistic software penetration testing OS that enables security to cover a wide breadth and depth of VAPT tasks ranging from initial assessment to post-exploitation analysis.

With extensive customization options, the OS provides extensive documentation, tutorials, and support to aid learning and troubleshooting.

Pros:

• Comprehensive community support
• Regular updates and patches
• High-speed execution of tasks

Limitations:

• Need to be fluent in Linux commands
• Learning curve is steep for beginners

2. Nikto

Key Features:

• Target: Web applications and servers
• Pentest Capabilities: Vulnerability and misconfiguration identification
• Deployment Capabilities: Manual installation from source code
• Accuracy: False positives are possible
• Price: Open-source tool

As one of the best open-source penetration testing tools designed specifically for web apps and servers, Nikto has access to various bug databases. It scans for 6700+ vulnerabilities, including outdated software, misconfigurations, and common exploits.

It helps security analysts identify open directories, insecure file permissions, and weak HTTP headers. Nikto also offers customization plugin support.

Pros:

• Scans for over 6700+ vulnerabilities
• Fosters a learning environment

Limitations:

• May generate false positives that require manual vetting
• Does not provide an in-depth analysis of vulnerability exploit and impact

3. Zed Attack Proxy

Key Features:

• Target: Web applications
• Pentest Capabilities: Automated and manual pentests, including 
• Deployment Capabilities: Manual installation from source code pre-built packages and Docker 
• Accuracy: False positives are possible
• Price: Open-source tool

Zed Attack Proxy, or ZAP, is a web application security testing (WAST) tool primarily used for penetration testing. It acts as a MitM proxy, allowing security analysts to intercept, analyze, and modify web traffic between a browser and a web application.

In addition to pre-built scanners and manual pentest tools, it allows security analysts to manipulate sessions, fuzz, and launch brute-force attacks.

Pros:

• User-friendly interface, especially for beginners
• Community-developed plugins help enhance functionality

Limitations:

• Can generate false positives necessitating manual vetting

4. W3af

Key Features:

• Target: Web applications 
• Pentest Capabilities: Vulnerability scanning, threat exploitation, and attack simulation
• Deployment Capabilities: Manual installation from source code and pre-built packages
• Accuracy: False positives are possible
• Price: Open-source tool

Web Application Attack and Audit Framework, better known as W3af, is a web application pentest scanning tool that offers manual pentesting capabilities. Unlike most open-source tools, it goes beyond identification to assess their impact and severity.

W3af also helps security analysts automate repetitive tasks like scanning and reporting to save time and effort, especially in the case of comprehensive security audits.

Pros:

• Integrates well with DevSecOps practices
• Supports multiple operating systems and manual exploit customizations

Limitations:

• False positives are possible
• GUI can be complex to navigate

5. Vega

Key Features:

• Target: Web applications
• Pentest Capabilities: Website crawling and automated scanning
• Deployment Capabilities: Manual installation from source code and pre-built packages with JRE
• Accuracy: False positives are possible
• Price: Open-source tool

As an open-source web security scanner and pentesting platform, Vega allows analysts to intercept and analyze web traffic, crawl web applications, and pinpoint vulnerabilities, including SSL/TLS misconfigurations.

The tool also facilitates JavaScript extensions to help tailor the pentest to a professional’s specific needs and gain a better understanding of complex application behavior.

Pros:

• Offers extensive scripting support
• Community-developed plugins help enhance functionality

Limitations:

• Cannot run on Windows 10
• The interface is a little dated

6. IndusfaceWAS

Key Features:

• Platform: Web applications
• Pentest Capability: Continuous automated vulnerability scans and manual pentests
• Accuracy: False positives possible
• Compliance: SOC2, ISO and OWASP
• Expert Remediation: Available at extra cost
• Integration: Jira, GitHub, Slack, and Microsoft Teams 
• Price: Starting at $199/app/month

IndusFaceWAS is a managed dynamic application security testing (DAST) tool that provides enterprises real-time monitoring, automated assessment, and manual penetration testing solutions.

The platform generates detailed reports, including proof of concept documentation, and facilitates compliance testing across various industry standards.

Pros:

• Quick support and timely responsiveness
• OWASP top 10 and SANS 25 detection

Limitations:

• GUI is not very intuitive
• Frequent scan update emails can be overwhelming

7. BeEF

Key Features:

• Target: Web browsers
• Pentest Capabilities: Social engineering for in-depth vulnerability assessments 
• Deployment Capabilities: Can be installed from sources, pre-built packages, and via Docker 
• Accuracy: False positives are possible
• Price: Open-source tool

As the name suggests, the Browser Exploitation Framework, or BeEF, is an open-source pentest tool designed to evaluate the security of web browsers. It helps analysts simulate malicious attacks to identify vulnerabilities and assess the security posture. 

Once the security analyst has gained control of a browser, BeEF helps analyze post-exploitation impacts such as redirecting traffic, keystroke logging, and theft of sensitive data.

Pros:

• Easy to install and configure
• Hassle-free tool for beginners

Limitations:

• User interface is comparatively tricky to navigate
• Database configuration can be a little difficult

Best Penetration Testing Tools for Networks

1. Nessus Professional

Key Features:

• Platform: Windows, macOS
• Pentest Capability: Automated vulnerability scans for web apps, mobile & cloud
• Accuracy: False positives possible
• Compliance: HIPAA, ISO, NIST, and PCI-DSS
• Expert Remediation: Available at extra cost
• Integration: IBM Security, Splunk, GitHub, and GitLab
• Price: Starting at $4,236/yr

Nessus is a comprehensive tool under the Tenable umbrella that can identify and assess vulnerabilities in a wide range of IT systems. Its extensive vulnerability coverage and automation capabilities genuinely set it apart.

The compliance support by the commercial pentest tool across various standards and industries like PCI DSS, HIPAA, and ISO helps maintain year-round compliance.

Pros:

• Easy to navigate and use UI
• Scanning and reporting tasks can be automated 

Limitations:

• Scanning timelines can be inconsistent
• Custom asset tags require separate automation

2. OpenVAS

Key Features:

• Platform: Network and web application
• Pentest Capability:
• Accuracy: False positives possible
• Compliance: PCI-DSS, HIPAA, and other compliance frameworks
• Expert Remediation: No
• Integrations: None
• Price: Open-source tool

OpenVAS, a key part of the Greenbone Vulnerability Management (GVM) framework, is a free, open-source vulnerability scanner. It helps organizations of all sizes identify security weaknesses in networks as well as web applications.

Whether you prefer local, container, or cloud setups, the tool offers flexible deployment options.

Pros:

• Access to a large vulnerability database.

Limitations:

• It can be resource-intensive.
• Requires technical expertise for configuration.

Use Our Pentest Tools Chooser

Confused about which pentesting tool is best for you? Our chooser helps you make the perfect decision based on your specific needs.

Best Tools for Password Cracking & Hashing

1. JohnTheRipper

Key Features:

• Target: Password hashes
• Pentest Capabilities: Password cracking (brute-force, dictionary, hybrid attacks)
• Deployment Capabilities: Command-line tool, standalone application, cloud-based services
• Accuracy: False positives are possible
• Price: Open-source tool

John the Ripper is a flexible password-cracking tool that supports various hash types. Its extensive customization enables you to tailor the cracking process with various modes, such as single, incremental, and distributed cracking.

More importantly, its advanced features like mask and rule-based attacks for targeted password guessing can help Pentesters exploit password and input-based CVEs.

Pros:

• Offers transparency and community contributions as an open-source tool

Limitations:

• May require significant computational resources
• Can be complex to use for beginners

2. Hashcat

Key Features:

• Target: Password hashes
• Pentest Capabilities: Password cracking and GPU acceleration
• Deployment Capabilities: Manual installation from source code and pre-built packages
• Accuracy: False positives are possible
• Price: Open-source tool

Hashcat is a robust and versatile password-cracking tool in penetration testing and security audits. It supports a range of hashing algorithms, including MD5, SHA-family, and bcrypt. 

Its GPU acceleration and various attack modes, such as brute-force, dictionary, and combinator attacks, significantly improve performance, handling large-scale cross-platform cracking jobs efficiently.

Pros:

• Offers a user-friendly interface.
• Supports both command-line and graphical modes.

Limitations:

• Might generate false positives.
• Limited support for operating systems other than Windows and Linux.

3. Cain & Abel

Key Features:

• Target: Password recovery and network security assessment
• Pentest Capabilities: Password cracking, sniffing, VoIP decoding, and cryptanalysis
• Deployment Capabilities: Standalone Windows application, no server-side setup required
• Accuracy: False positives are possible
• Price: Open-source tool

Cain & Abel, a Windows-based tool, excels in password recovery and network security via dictionary, brute-force, and cryptanalysis attacks. Beyond password cracking, it supports packet sniffing, ARP poisoning, and VoIP decoding.

While user-friendly, its development has ceased, limiting support for modern systems and protocols.

Pros:

• Can perform offline password cracking.
• Offers a dedicated community and online resources.

Limitations:

• Has a steep learning curve

Best Exploitation and Post-Exploitation Tools

1. Metasploit

Key Features:

• Target: Exploitation of networks, servers, and applications
• Pentest Capabilities: 2,000+ exploits, payloads, and auxiliary modules
• Deployment Capabilities: Flexible deployment as a standalone application, integrated framework, or via Metasploit Pro
• Accuracy: False positives are possible
• Price: Open-source tool

As a penetration testing framework and tool, Metasploit offers a vast library of exploits and payloads, enabling customizable payloads, post-exploitation, and automated workflows. With user-friendly interfaces and regular updates, its open-source nature and robust community make it a popular choice. 

It supports multiple attack vectors, such as client-side exploits, web applications, and wireless systems.

Pros:

• Facilitates repetitive tasks with automation.
• Supports multiple operating systems.

Limitations:

• Requires frequent updates to stay effective.

2. Mimikatz

Key Features:

• Target: Credential extraction and privilege escalation on Windows systems
• Pentest Capabilities: Extracts passwords, hashes, and Kerberos tickets for privilege escalation
• Deployment Capabilities: Lightweight executable that can run directly on target systems
• Accuracy: False positives are possible
• Price: Open-source tool

Mimikatz extracts credentials and escalates privileges on Windows systems. It retrieves plaintext passwords, hashes, and Kerberos tickets from memory to enable lateral movement.

Lightweight and versatile, it integrates with pentesting frameworks to demonstrate weaknesses in system configurations, emphasizing security hardening.

Pros:

• Enables advanced attacks like Pass-the-Hash and Golden Ticket for lateral movement.

Limitations:

• Limited effectiveness against fully patched and hardened Windows systems.
• Often needs administrative privileges on the target to function fully.

3. SQLMap

Key Features:

• Target: Web applications
• Pentest Capabilities: Detects and exploits of SQL injection vulnerabilities
• Deployment Capabilities: Lightweight, command-line tool compatible with most OS
• Accuracy: False positives are possible
• Price: Open-source tool

As an open-source pentesting tool, SQLMap automates SQL injection detection and exploitation across multiple databases and injection techniques, including time-based, error-based, and union-based.

It helps enumerate databases with sensitive data like usernames, passwords, and tables, extract the same, and bypass authentication with a user-friendly interface.

Pros:

• Offers a large and active community.

Limitations:

• Only targets SQL injection vulnerabilities.
• Limited GUI Options.

Best Wireless Security Testing Tools

1. Ettercap

Key Features:

• Target: Network infrastructure and web applications
• Pentest Capabilities: Passive network sniffing, active attacks, and network analysis
• Deployment Capabilities: Manual installation from source code and pre-built packages
• Accuracy: False positives are possible
• Price: Open-source tool

Ettercap is an open-source tool that allows security analysts to analyze network traffic and simulate session hijacks, Man-in-the-Middle(MitM), and DOS attacks.

The tool also supports scripting languages and plugins to allow analysts to automate repetitive tasks and customize functionalities to their specific needs.

Pros:

• Offers extensive scripting support
• Community-developed plugins help enhance functionality

Limitations:

• Cannot run on Windows 10
• The interface is a little dated

2. Wireshark

Key Features:

• Target: Network 
• Pentest Capabilities: Vulnerability detection, deep packet inspection, and traffic analysis
• Deployment Capabilities: Installer packages for traditional and portable versions
• Accuracy: False positives are possible
• Price: Open-source tool

As a prominent network packet analyzer, Wireshark is a versatile internal pentesting tool that empowers security analysts to identify vulnerabilities in protocols, configurations, and applications.

It can analyze real-time and historical network traffic to reconstruct attack timelines, identify attack vectors, and understand attacker behavior.

Pros:

• Powerful tool for troubleshooting network issues and security threats 
• In-built filters facilitate analysis

Limitations:

• Performance issues with large packets of data
• Difficult for beginners to navigate

3. Aircrack-ng

Key Features:

• Target: Wireless networks
• Pentest Capabilities: Password cracking, vulnerability assessment, traffic analysis, and wireless card testing
• Deployment Capabilities: Can be installed from sources and specific pre-combined binaries
• Accuracy: False positives are possible
• Price: Open-source tool

As a pentest tool that exclusively focuses on wireless networks, Aircrack-ng helps automate various tasks for vulnerability assessment and pentesting the above. It gives security analysts a more holistic understanding of the network’s security posture.

Moreover, Aircrack-ng’s command-line interface facilitates customization, including attacks such as replay attacks, de-authentication, and fake access points.

Pros:

• Tackles multiple stages of wireless network pentesting
• Offers granular control through command-line options

Limitations:

• Wireless compatibility can be an issue; isn’t effective in all cases

Best Enumeration and Reconnaissance Tools

1. Nmap

Key Features:

• Target: Network infrastructure, IoT devices, limited cloud instances
• Pentest Capabilities: Unlimited scans for network discovery, vulnerability scanning, service identification, and OS fingerprinting
• Deployment Capabilities: Flexible deployment through the command line, scripting, and graphical interfaces
• Accuracy: False positives are possible
• Price: Open-source tool

Nmap is an open-source command line and network scanning tool that analyzes your network’s structure to find possible entry points and reveal running services on target systems. The operating system detection feature adds another layer of intelligence to its arsenal.

Nmap’s version detection capabilities and scriptable interaction through the NSE help security professionals automate tasks, improve scan capabilities, and create custom scripts for specific situations.

Pros:

• Active Community to build and grow the tool
• Versatile pentesting tool suitable for a wide range of applications
• Powerful scripting capabilities for automation

Limitations:

• A learning curve for beginners
• Aggressive scanning techniques can be very intrusive at times

2. Dirbuster

Key Features:

• Target: Web servers and web applications
• Pentest Capabilities: Bruteforce-based directory and file enumeration
• Deployment Capabilities: Flexible deployment as a standalone Java-based tool
• Accuracy: False positives are possible
• Price: Open-source tool

Dirbuster uses custom or predefined wordlists for multithreaded scanning and recursive directory discovery. Its customizable configurations include proxy settings, HTTP authentication, and response code handling but can generate false positives and trigger intrusion detection systems.

However, as a Java-based tool, it is cross-platform and easy to run on various operating systems.

Pros:

• Offers community-driven updates, bug fixes, and shared wordlist.

Limitations:

• Lacks real-time analysis capabilities.
• Reporting and results analysis can be improved.

3. TheHarvester

Key Features:

• Target: Reconnaissance on domains, email addresses, and subdomains
• Pentest Capabilities: Footprinting and enumeration
• Deployment Capabilities: Runs as a command-line tool on Linux, macOS, and Windows
• Accuracy: False positives are possible
• Price: Open-source tool

TheHarvester is a powerful pentesting tool focused on the reconnaissance stage, collecting data about domains, subdomains, and emails from publically available data such as search engines, social media, and public databases.

Its advanced features include subdomain enumeration and email harvesting with multiple data sources. As a lightweight pentest software, it can run on Linux, macOS, or Windows. 

Pros:

• Offers parameters to refine search queries for more targeted results

Limitations:

• Only collects publicly available information.
• Relies heavily on external search engines, which may limit access.

4. Wappalyzer

Key Features:

• Target: Identifying web technologies
• Pentest Capabilities: Reconnaissance for tech stack and potential vulnerabilities
• Deployment Capabilities: Browser extension, CLI tool, and online service integration
• Accuracy: False positives are possible
• Price: Open-source tool

Wappalyzer profiles web technologies, identifying CMS, frameworks, and server software by revealing the tech stack, potential attack surfaces, and hosting providers.

Available as a browser extension, CLI tool, and API, it integrates seamlessly into pentesting workflows. While free, paid plans offer additional features. Primarily focused on technology identification, it is not a vulnerability assessment tool.

Pros:

• Shallow learning curve.
• Easy to install.

Limitations:

• Offers limited GUI features.
• Can be resource-intensive.

5. Maltego

Key Features:

• Target: Asset discovery and analysis for networks and domains
• Pentest Capabilities: Network mapping, data mining, and social engineering
• Accuracy: False positives possible
• Compliance: None
• Expert Remediation: No
• Integrations: WHOIS, DNS, and more.
• Price: Starting at $5,500

Maltego is a powerful OSINT tool that maps relationships between domains, IP addresses, social media profiles, and more to provide valuable insights into attack surfaces. The pentest tool uses “transforms” to pull data from various sources, allowing for deep link analysis.

Its interactive graph-based interface helps visualize complex networks with integrations for third-party data sources and APIs. While helpful in mapping out attack vectors, it primarily focuses on discovery, not exploitation or remediation. 

Pros:

• Provides clear, interactive graphical representations.
• Offers scalability for large investigations.

Limitations:

• Can be slow and resource-heavy.
• Designed as a discovery tool, doesn’t support post-exploitation or remediation tasks.

Top 3 Pentest Tools for Security Analysts

Features	Astra Pentest	Kali Linux	Nmap
Pentest Capabilities	Unlimited and continuous automated scans with manual tests	Unlimited Scans for vulnerability scanning, exploitation, privilege escalation, and post-exploitation	Unlimited scans for network discovery, vulnerability scanning, service identification, and OS fingerprinting
Target	Web apps, API, mobile, cloud, & networks	Online and physical systems, applications, &networks	Network infrastructure, IoT devices, limited cloud instances
Deployment	SaaS/Cloud	Installer packages for live boot and disk installation	Flexible deployment through the command line, scripting, and graphical interface (Zenmap)
Accuracy	Zero false positives	False positives possible	False positives possible
Pricing	Starting at $199/month	Open-source	Open-source

Choosing a Pentest Tool: Enterprise vs. Security Analyst

Although both companies and analysts utilize pentesting tools, needs and considerations naturally differ. 

Companies and enterprises often look for a complete suite of tools that caters to multi-asset infrastructures and appeals to all the stakeholders using the tool. They prioritize tools that offer end-to-end pentesting, vulnerability management, support, generate comprehensive reports, and integrate seamlessly with existing workflows. 

Conversely, security analysts are concerned with individual tool capabilities such as effectiveness, flexibility, ease of use, and specific asset specialization. Security analysts might also prioritize Vulnerability Assessment tools over penetration testing tools that aren’t deployed on the company-wide network, and analysts are usually the sole users.

This table highlights the key differences between choosing a Pentest Tool as an Enterprise vs choosing a Pentest Tool as a Security Analyst:

Features	Pentest Tool for Enterprises	Pentest Tool for Security Analysts
Managing End-to-End Pentests	Essential for scheduling, assigning, and tracking tests	Not applicable, pentester focuses on hacking the given scope
Generate Custom Reports	It is crucial for presenting findings to stakeholders and regulators	Might not be necessary, depending on individual reporting requirements
Deployment Capabilities	On-premise or cloud deployment based on the company’s policies	Portable and usable on personal computers
Acceptance of Reports	Requires reports accepted by industry standards and customers	Value detailed findings over report formatting
Collaboration	Enables team collaboration and knowledge sharing	Primarily for individual use
Workflow Integrations	Integrates with existing security platforms, ticketing systems & CI/CD	Not essential, they value tool functionality over integration

On the other hand, some common traits resonate with both enterprises and security analysts:

1. Effectiveness: 

Both enterprises and analysts look for tools that effectively uncover vulnerabilities in the given scope. The ideal pentesting tool takes an offensive approach to uncover vulnerabilities.

SQLMap is an excellent example of a pentest tool that probes the application for SQL injection and exploits a vulnerability once it detects one. Ultimately, a pentest tool is judged by its effectiveness, among other things.

2. Cost: 

Enterprises seek cost-effective penetration testing solutions that deliver results without compromising quality. On the other hand, security experts prioritize open-source or flexible pricing tools. 

3. Asset Specialization: 

Enterprises look for pentesting platforms that target their unique infrastructure and applications, while security analysts seek tools tailored to specific assets like web applications, mobile devices, or cloud environments.

4. Accuracy: 

Enterprises rely on vulnerability and attack vector identification accuracy to prioritize remediation efforts. Conversely, security professionals rely on accurate findings to build trust and deliver credible reports.

Key Features to Look for While Choosing a Pentest Tool

Pentesting Tool Categories

1. Open-Source Tools

Freely available and community-driven, open-source pentesting tools are often the starting point for budget-conscious security analysts and bootstrapping startups. Some prime examples include – OWASP ZAP for web app exploration and SQLmap for uncovering SQLi vulnerabilities. 

Open source is the backbone of the cyber security industry! However, the learning curve for using open-source tools is often steep, false positives are possible, and ongoing maintenance is typically required.

2. Web App Pentest

Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) tools like Astra or Burp Suite automate vulnerability scans, while Static Application Security Testing (SAST) tools like Checkmarx scrutinize source code for hidden faults. 

While web app penetration testing tools are efficient for common vulnerabilities, they necessitate manual help to identify complex flaws like payment gateway hacks.

3. Network Pentest

Automated network penetration tools such as NMap and Nessus leverage vast databases to identify open ports, outdated software, and misconfigurations.

However, with manual vetting and technical monitoring, they can easily navigate intricate network topologies and often generate many false positives.

4. Mobile Pentest

Unlike the above, mobile application penetration testing necessitates a different playbook. A popular tool like MobSF can assist with static analysis.

However, manual pentest is the only option for a security analyst to scan the app’s source code, analyze its network traffic, and exploit device and platform-specific vulnerabilities.

5. Cloud Pentest

While cloud providers offer shared responsibility models, securing your configurations remains crucial. Some of the best penetration testing tools, like CloudSploit and Prisma Cloud, assess cloud infrastructure for misconfigurations and insecure settings. 

Nonetheless, a probe for complex issues, such as insecure API integrations and inadequate data encryption practices, calls for a deeper approach.

6. Automated Pentest

Automated penetration testing tools, integrated into the Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC, provide unique continuous vulnerability detection. Tools like Nexpose and Qualys automate vulnerability detection and reporting, enabling rapid remediation. 

However, automation has limitations in uncovering complex vulnerabilities and requires human expertise for scoping and prioritization.

7. Penetration Testing as a Service Platform

PTaaS Platforms leverage human intelligence, automated tools & agile delivery methodologies to find vulnerabilities in a given scope continuously. Providers such as Astra and Rapid7 conduct comprehensive assessments to deliver tailored reports and actionable insights.

They are ideal for enterprises looking for end-to-end, flexible, and cost-effective penetration testing solutions.

Types of Penetration Testing Tools

Pentesting involves several specially designed tools for discovering and exploiting vulnerabilities that exist in a system. Such tools can be classified based on their purpose in the penetration test exercise. Here are some of the most popular categories:

Reconnaissance Tools

• Port Scanners: Such tools identify open ports on a system to allow one to determine which services are running and if they have associated potential vulnerabilities.
• Information Gathering Tools: This comprises extracting details about the target system, such as the OS, network layout, and user accounts.

Scanning Tools

• Vulnerability Scanners: These tools assist in performing automated scans against systems and applications to discover known vulnerabilities. Examples include OpenVAS and Nessus.
• Web Application Scanners: These tools are designed for finding security weaknesses within web-based applications. Examples include SQL injection and cross-site scripting (XSS). Examples comprise OWASP ZAP and Burp Suite.

Exploitation Tools

• Exploit Frameworks: Provide a suite of readymade exploits against which one can design an exploit to gain unauthorized access to a system. Example: Metasploit
• Password Crackers: They try to crack weak passwords by several techniques, including dictionary attacks. Example: John the Ripper
• Wireless Network Assessment Tools: They test the security of wireless networks for vulnerabilities like weak encryption. Example: Aircrack-ng

Post-Exploitation Tools

• Remote Access Tools: These tools access the compromised system for further exploration and privilege escalation. Examples include Meterpreter.
• Privilege Escalation Tools: Techniques and tools that elevate privileges inside a system to escalate higher access levels.

Other Tools

• Web Proxies: It interceptions and analyzes web traffic between client and server; this is very useful in finding sensitive information or manipulating requests against the target.
• Packet Sniffers: Capture network traffic flowing across a network segment. This would help analysts understand communication protocols and various vulnerabilities. Examples are Wireshark and Tcpdump.
• Social Engineering Tools: These tools make trials of social engineering attacks, such as the simulation of a phishing email, against employees to understand the level of awareness of the staff and the security posture.

Did you know?
There are three types of penetration tests, namely black box, gray box, and white box. A black box test involves minimal knowledge about the target system, in a gray box test mid-level information is available and a white box test requires complete knowledge of the target.

Final Thoughts

The above list highlights some of the best penetration testing tools addressing the diverse needs of both enterprises and security analysts.

Astra & Rapid7 offer end-to-end pentesting, reporting, and workflow integration for enterprises seeking comprehensive suites.

Security analysts seeking deep, flexible, and user-friendly penetration testing tools for specific assets can leverage Kali Linux, ZAP, and Burp Suite. The importance of specialized tools like Wireshark, Aircrack-ng, and BeEF, of course, cannot be ignored.

With that said, platforms like Astra Pentest combine these benefits, offering a comprehensive PtaaS pentest tool solution ideal for both parties.

Ultimately, the quality of your penetration testing tool plays a crucial role in determining your cybersecurity culture’s growth rate and stability.

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