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sqlmap alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Nov 8, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rankAll penetration testing tools

Top picks

  • Burp Suite logo

    Best overall

    Burp Suite

    Starting price: $499 (Burp Suite Professional)

  • ZAP logo

    Best free option

    ZAP

    Open source

  • Metasploit logo

    Best open source

    Metasploit

    Open source

Common reasons people leave sqlmap: command line only, no graphical interface, and only covers SQL injection, not other web vulnerability classes. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces sqlmap, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. Burp Suite currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingVerified priceOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1Burp Suite logoBurp SuiteFree plan + paid$499 (Burp Suite Professional)NoWindows, macOS, Linux7 of 768.8
2ZAP logoZAPOpen source—YesWindows, macOS, Linux4 of 464.8
3Metasploit logoMetasploitOpen source—YesLinux, macOS, Windows4 of 461.8
4Caido logoCaidoFree plan + paid—NoWindows, macOS, Linux4 of 459.4
5Acunetix logoAcunetixPaid$500 max per pentestNoWeb7 of 757.5
  1. Burp Suite logo

    1. Burp SuiteTop pick

    Best for: Pentesters and bug bounty hunters doing hands-on web application testing

    Free plan + paidWindows, macOS, Linux

    68.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from sqlmap

    Full web security proxy and scanner that finds SQL injection along with many other flaw types.

    Pros

    • Industry-standard proxy, Repeater and Intruder workflow
    • Free Community Edition for learning and manual testing
    • Large extension library and free training from PortSwigger

    Cons

    • The scanner and full-speed Intruder require the paid Professional licence
    • Community Edition can't save projects
    • Java-based UI can be heavy on memory during big tests
    Visit Burp Suite Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    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

    Is Burp Suite a good sqlmap alternative?

    Verified facts

    7 of 7 verified
    Free edition
    Community Edition
    Checked Nov 8, 2026portswigger.net(opens source in a new tab)
    Pro-only features
    Project files, full Intruder, vulnerability scanner
    Checked Nov 8, 2026portswigger.net(opens source in a new tab)
    Billing
    Yearly licence terms
    Checked Nov 8, 2026portswigger.net(opens source in a new tab)
    Owner
    PortSwigger Ltd
    Checked Nov 8, 2026portswigger.net(opens source in a new tab)
    Starting price
    $499 (Burp Suite Professional)
    Checked Nov 8, 2026portswigger.net(opens source in a new tab)
    Free plan
    Yes, Community Edition
    Checked Nov 8, 2026portswigger.net(opens source in a new tab)
    Free trial
    Yes (Professional)
    Checked Nov 8, 2026portswigger.net(opens source in a new tab)
  2. ZAP logo

    2. ZAP

    Best for: Developers and AppSec teams who want free automated web scanning, including in CI

    Open sourceWindows, macOS, Linux

    64.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from sqlmap

    Free, open-source web app scanner with a GUI that covers SQL injection and much more.

    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
    Visit ZAP Details and reviews
    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

    Is ZAP a good sqlmap alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Price
    Free and open source
    Checked Nov 8, 2026zaproxy.org(opens source in a new tab)
    License
    Apache-2.0
    Checked Oct 30, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Windows, Linux, macOS, Docker
    Checked Nov 8, 2026zaproxy.org(opens source in a new tab)
    Requirements
    Java 17+ on Windows and Linux
    Checked Nov 8, 2026zaproxy.org(opens source in a new tab)
  3. Metasploit logo

    3. Metasploit

    Best for: Pentesters and red teams who need a large, maintained library of exploits for known vulnerabilities

    Open sourceLinux, macOS, Windows

    61.8

    score / 100

    Why switch from sqlmap

    Broader exploitation framework for pivoting beyond the web app once you have a foothold.

    Pros

    • Free framework with a very large, regularly updated module library
    • Meterpreter payloads cover Windows, Linux, Android and more
    • Backed by Rapid7, with a commercial Pro edition for teams

    Cons

    • Mainly driven from the command line, with a learning curve
    • GUI, automation and reporting require the paid Pro edition
    • Antivirus tools often flag or quarantine its files on install
    Visit Metasploit Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    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

    Is Metasploit a good sqlmap alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Owner
    Rapid7 and open-source community
    Checked Nov 8, 2026metasploit.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Editions
    Framework (open source), Pro (commercial)
    Checked Nov 8, 2026metasploit.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Linux, macOS, Windows
    Checked Nov 8, 2026docs.metasploit.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Payloads
    Meterpreter for Windows, PHP, Python, Java, Android
    Checked Nov 8, 2026metasploit.com(opens source in a new tab)
  4. Caido logo

    4. Caido

    Best for: Bug bounty hunters and pentesters who want a faster, lighter Burp-style proxy

    Free plan + paidWindows, macOS, Linux

    59.4

    score / 100

    Why switch from sqlmap

    Lighter modern web security proxy for manual testing of injection points.

    Pros

    • Free plan includes all core HTTP tools
    • HTTPQL makes filtering large traffic histories quick
    • Headless, API-first design suits automation

    Cons

    • Free plan caps projects, workflows and plugins
    • Smaller plugin ecosystem than Burp Suite
    • AI assistant and backups require a paid plan
    Visit Caido Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.369
    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

    Is Caido a good sqlmap alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Free plan
    Yes, 2 projects and 7 workflows
    Checked Nov 8, 2026caido.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Filtering
    HTTPQL query language
    Checked Nov 8, 2026caido.io(opens source in a new tab)
    AI providers
    Bring your own model
    Checked Nov 8, 2026caido.io(opens source in a new tab)
    Team plan
    Up to 50 seats, shared instance
    Checked Nov 8, 2026caido.io(opens source in a new tab)
  5. Acunetix logo

    5. Acunetix

    Best for: Security teams that want automated, low-noise scanning of web apps and APIs

    PaidWeb

    57.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from sqlmap

    Commercial web vulnerability scanner that finds SQL injection among many other flaws, with reports and scheduling.

    Pros

    • Proof-based scanning confirms many findings automatically
    • Tests REST, GraphQL and SOAP APIs
    • CI/CD and issue tracker integrations
    • Large check library covering the OWASP Top 10

    Cons

    • Quote-only pricing per target
    • Rebrand to Invicti Web + API makes the product line confusing
    • Automated scanning only; no manual testing proxy
    Visit Acunetix Details and reviews
    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

    Is Acunetix a good sqlmap alternative?

    Verified facts

    7 of 7 verified
    Current name
    Invicti Web + API
    Checked Nov 8, 2026acunetix.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Checks
    7,000+ issues
    Checked Nov 8, 2026acunetix.com(opens source in a new tab)
    API testing
    REST, GraphQL, SOAP
    Checked Nov 8, 2026acunetix.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Customers
    5,000+ companies
    Checked Nov 8, 2026acunetix.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Agentic Pentest plan
    $500 max per pentest
    Checked Nov 8, 2026acunetix.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Web + API plan
    Quote-based
    Checked Nov 8, 2026acunetix.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free trial
    Proof of Concept licence on request
    Checked Nov 8, 2026acunetix.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best sqlmap alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

Burp Suite logo

Best sqlmap alternative for most people

Burp Suite

Full web security proxy and scanner that finds SQL injection along with many other flaw types.

ZAP logo

Best sqlmap alternative for a free option

ZAP

Free, open-source web app scanner with a GUI that covers SQL injection and much more.

Caido logo

Best sqlmap alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Caido

Lighter modern web security proxy for manual testing of injection points.

Metasploit logo

Best sqlmap alternative for open source

Metasploit

Broader exploitation framework for pivoting beyond the web app once you have a foothold.

Burp Suite logo

Best sqlmap alternative for Mac

Burp Suite

Full web security proxy and scanner that finds SQL injection along with many other flaw types.

Burp Suite logo

Best sqlmap alternative for Windows

Burp Suite

Full web security proxy and scanner that finds SQL injection along with many other flaw types.

Burp Suite logo

Best sqlmap alternative for Linux

Burp Suite

Full web security proxy and scanner that finds SQL injection along with many other flaw types.

Acunetix logo

Best sqlmap alternative for working in the browser

Acunetix

Commercial web vulnerability scanner that finds SQL injection among many other flaws, with reports and scheduling.

sqlmap alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to sqlmap?

Burp Suite ranks first right now. Full web security proxy and scanner that finds SQL injection along with many other flaw types. ZAP and Metasploit follow it in our ranking.

sqlmap vs Burp Suite: what's the difference?

sqlmap is free and open source; Burp Suite is free with paid plans. sqlmap is open source and Burp Suite is not. Both run on Windows, macOS and Linux.

Is sqlmap free?

sqlmap is free and open source.

How much do sqlmap alternatives cost?

Verified prices for the top-ranked sqlmap alternatives: Burp Suite, $499 (Burp Suite Professional); Acunetix, $500 max per pentest. Each price was checked on the app's own site; see each card below for the date and source.

Is there a free alternative to sqlmap?

Yes. Burp Suite (free plan + paid), ZAP (open source), Metasploit (open source) and Caido (free plan + paid) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to sqlmap?

Yes: ZAP and Metasploit.

Which sqlmap alternatives work on Linux?

Burp Suite, ZAP, Metasploit and Caido run on Linux.

Why do people switch from sqlmap?

The complaints we hear most: 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 is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces sqlmap, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.