Quick comparison
| # | App | Pricing | Verified price | Open source | Platforms | Verified facts | Score |
|---|
| 1 |  ZAP | Open source | — | Yes | Windows, macOS, Linux | 4 of 4 | 64.8 |
| 2 |  sqlmap | Open source | — | Yes | Windows, macOS, Linux | 4 of 4 | 57.5 |
| 3 |  Kali Linux | Open source | — | Yes | Linux, Windows, Android | 5 of 5 | 51.2 |
11. ZAPTop pick
Best for: Developers and AppSec teams who want free automated web scanning, including in CI
Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux
Why switch from Metasploit
Free, open-source web app scanner and proxy for testers who mainly assess websites and APIs.
Pros
- Free and open source, with the automated scanner included
- Docker images and automation framework for CI pipelines
- Add-on marketplace extends it
Cons
- Interface is dated and busier than Burp or Caido
- Windows and Linux builds need Java 17 or newer installed
- Releases are unsigned, so operating systems show warnings on install
How this score is calculated
Editorial fit ×0.387
Reviews ×0.363
Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
Freshness ×0.15100
Votes ×0.150
0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula
2Best for: Pentesters and security teams confirming and measuring SQL injection risk during authorised tests
Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux
Why switch from Metasploit
Free tool that automates finding and exploiting SQL injection end to end, a narrower but faster route for web database targets.
Pros
- Free and open source under GPLv2
- Supports 40+ database backends and five injection techniques
- Goes beyond detection to show real impact through enumeration and data extraction
- Extensive documentation covering every option
Cons
- Command line only, no graphical interface
- Only covers SQL injection, not other web vulnerability classes
- Can be noisy and heavy on target systems if options aren't tuned
How this score is calculated
Editorial fit ×0.363
Reviews ×0.363
Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
Freshness ×0.15100
Votes ×0.150
0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula
3Best for: Security professionals and students who want the standard, well-documented pentesting toolkit.
Open sourceLinux, Windows, Android
Why switch from Metasploit
Ships Metasploit alongside hundreds of other attack tools, so one install covers recon, exploitation and cracking.
Pros
- Industry-standard toolset, preconfigured and ready to use
- Runs on bare metal, VMs, ARM, cloud, WSL and Android
- Large community and extensive free documentation
Cons
- Not designed as a general-purpose daily desktop
- Docs assume prior Linux experience
- Smaller repository of security tools than BlackArch
How this score is calculated
Editorial fit ×0.341
Reviews ×0.363
Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
Freshness ×0.15100
Votes ×0.150
0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula