Head-to-head · Honeypot Software

Beelzebub vs Cowrie

Updated Nov 2026
Both researched from official sources
3 checks side by side

Higher score Beelzebub #1 in Honeypot Software 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 2 features Visit Beelzebub

Cowrie #2 in Honeypot Software 9.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 2 features Visit Cowrie

Beelzebub leads on 0 checks, Cowrie on 0, and 3 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

Highest scoreBeelzebub · 9.4/10
Free planboth
Most featuresBeelzebub · 2 of 2

Beelzebub scores higher on our rubric for honeypot software: 9.4 against 9.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #2.

Beelzebub is the better fit for broad, adaptive self-hosted deception. Cowrie is the better fit for mature SSH and Telnet monitoring.

Beelzebub fits best
Broad, adaptive self-hosted deception
Cowrie fits best
Mature SSH and Telnet monitoring

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Side by side

Show only differences

Feature	Beelzebub 9.4/10 Visit ↗	Cowrie 9.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.4	9.2
Ranking	#1 in Honeypot Software	#2 in Honeypot Software
Best for	Broad, adaptive self-hosted deception	Mature SSH and Telnet monitoring
Pricing model	Free	Free
Starting price	Free plan	Free plan
Free plan	✓	✓
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Self-hosted, Cloud	Self-hosted
Support	Docs	Email, Community, Docs
Integrations	11 integrations	40+ integrations
Built for	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Beelzebub 2/2 · Cowrie 1/2
Credential lures	✓	✓
Cloud decoys	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Specs
Deployment model	Self-hosted	Self-hosted
Decoy scope	Multi-layer	Multi-layer
Maximum decoys	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Data retention	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Supports SSH, HTTP, TCP, TELNET, and MCP decoy interactions Combines static handlers with adaptive LLM-powered responses Offers Docker, Kubernetes, APIs, metrics, plugins, and SIEM integrations	Detailed SSH and Telnet session logging, replay, and file capture Configurable Unix shell and fake filesystem for layered decoys Broad integrations across SIEMs, databases, messaging, and threat intelligence
Cons	Self-hosted deployment requires operational ownership YAML configuration and Go plugins suit technical security teams Managed coordination is provided through a separate Beelzebub Platform offering	Self-hosted deployment requires Linux-based operational ownership Primary monitoring scope centers on SSH and Telnet activity Experimental LLM backend may not suit production-critical workflows
Our verdict	Beelzebub is an open-source deception runtime for security operators, AI security teams, and developers who need configurable honeypots and decoy services. Its multi-layer scope covers SSH, HTTP, TCP, TELNET, and MCP interactions, with… Read the review →	Cowrie is an open-source SSH and Telnet honeypot for security researchers, CERTs, defenders, and other operators. It runs on Linux in self-hosted environments and emulates a Unix-like system with a configurable fake filesystem. The product… Read the review →

BeelzebubHoneypot Software 9.4Free plan
CowrieHoneypot Software 9.2Free plan

Compare the top tools in

Strengths and trade-offs

Beelzebub — where it wins
- Supports SSH, HTTP, TCP, TELNET, and MCP decoy interactions
- Combines static handlers with adaptive LLM-powered responses
- Offers Docker, Kubernetes, APIs, metrics, plugins, and SIEM integrations
Where it doesn't
- Self-hosted deployment requires operational ownership
- YAML configuration and Go plugins suit technical security teams
- Managed coordination is provided through a separate Beelzebub Platform offering
Cowrie — where it wins
- Detailed SSH and Telnet session logging, replay, and file capture
- Configurable Unix shell and fake filesystem for layered decoys
- Broad integrations across SIEMs, databases, messaging, and threat intelligence
Where it doesn't
- Self-hosted deployment requires Linux-based operational ownership
- Primary monitoring scope centers on SSH and Telnet activity
- Experimental LLM backend may not suit production-critical workflows

Beelzebub9.4/10 · Free plan
A flexible self-hosted honeypot runtime with adaptive interactions and deep security integrations.
Visit Beelzebub Full verdict →
Cowrie9.2/10 · Free plan
A mature, deep SSH and Telnet honeypot for self-hosted threat monitoring.
Visit Cowrie Full verdict →