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Head-to-head · Penetration Testing Software

Core Impact vs XBOW

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score Core Impact #3 in Penetration Testing Software 8.9/10 30-day trial Free trial✓ 3 of 6 features Visit Core Impact
XBOW #8 in Penetration Testing Software 8.4/10 Pricing on request ✓ 0 of 6 features Visit XBOW

Core Impact leads on 0 checks, XBOW on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreCore Impact · 8.9/10
  • Free trialonly Core Impact
  • Most featuresCore Impact · 3 of 6

Core Impact scores higher on our rubric for penetration testing software: 8.9 against 8.4 out of 10; our editors rank them #3 and #8.

Core Impact is the better fit for broad commercial infrastructure testing. XBOW is the better fit for continuous authenticated web testing.

  • Core Impact fits best

    Broad commercial infrastructure testing

  • XBOW fits best

    Continuous authenticated web testing

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Core Impact 8.9/10 Visit ↗ XBOW 8.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.9 8.4
Ranking #3 in Penetration Testing Software #8 in Penetration Testing Software
Best for Broad commercial infrastructure testing Continuous authenticated web testing
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price — Pricing on request
Free plan — Not checked yet
Free trial 30 days —
Deployment Desktop, Self-hosted Cloud
Platforms Windows Web
Support Email, Phone Email, Docs
Compliance GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS SOC 2, GDPR, HIPAA
Integrations 13 integrations 3 integrations
Built for Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Core Impact 3/6 · XBOW 0/6
Web app testing ✓ (best) Not checked yet
API testing Not checked yet Not checked yet
Network testing ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Mobile testing ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Finding management Not checked yet Not checked yet
Evidence capture Not checked yet Not checked yet
Specs
Deployment On-prem Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Covers network, web, client-side, phishing, Wi-Fi and mobile testing
  • Validated exploit library supports advanced security assessments
  • Includes scan validation, remediation retesting and automated reporting
  • Independent exploit validation helps reduce false positives.
  • Supports authenticated testing with MFA, SSO, and bearer tokens.
  • Continuous assessments include reproducible evidence and remediation guidance.
Cons
  • Runs on Windows and is deployed on physical or virtual systems
  • Starting price is 9,450, with no free plan
  • Broader testing capabilities require higher-tier plans
  • Testing focuses on interactive web applications and APIs.
  • Usage-based pricing is scoped to each customer environment.
  • Cloud deployment may not fit teams requiring another deployment model.
Our verdict

Core Impact is penetration testing software from Fortra for security teams conducting repeatable infrastructure and application assessments. Its guided Rapid Penetration Tests, commercial-grade validated exploit library and automated…

Read the review →

XBOW is a cloud-based autonomous offensive security platform for security and application teams. It focuses on interactive web applications and their APIs, combining attack-surface discovery, coordinated exploitation, and independent…

Read the review →
  1. Core ImpactPenetration Testing Software 8.930-day trial
  2. XBOWPenetration Testing Software 8.4Pricing on request

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Core Impact — where it wins

    • Covers network, web, client-side, phishing, Wi-Fi and mobile testing
    • Validated exploit library supports advanced security assessments
    • Includes scan validation, remediation retesting and automated reporting

    Where it doesn't

    • Runs on Windows and is deployed on physical or virtual systems
    • Starting price is 9,450, with no free plan
    • Broader testing capabilities require higher-tier plans

  • XBOW — where it wins

    • Independent exploit validation helps reduce false positives.
    • Supports authenticated testing with MFA, SSO, and bearer tokens.
    • Continuous assessments include reproducible evidence and remediation guidance.

    Where it doesn't

    • Testing focuses on interactive web applications and APIs.
    • Usage-based pricing is scoped to each customer environment.
    • Cloud deployment may not fit teams requiring another deployment model.
  • Core Impact8.9/10 · 30-day trial

    A broad on-premise toolkit for repeatable infrastructure, web, client-side, wireless and mobile testing.

    Visit Core ImpactFull verdict →
  • XBOW8.4/10 · Pricing on request

    A focused cloud platform for continuous, authenticated testing of web applications and APIs.

    Visit XBOWFull verdict →

More comparisons

All penetration testing software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update