Head-to-head · Honeypot Software
Cowrie vs CounterCraft The Platform
Cowrie leads on 0 checks, CounterCraft The Platform 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 scoreCowrie · 9.2/10
- Free planonly Cowrie
- Most featuresCounterCraft The Platform · 2 of 2
Cowrie scores higher on our rubric for honeypot software: 9.2 against 8.3 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #7.
On deployment model, CounterCraft The Platform gives you Hybrid where Cowrie offers Self-hosted.
Cowrie is the better fit for mature SSH and Telnet monitoring. CounterCraft The Platform is the better fit for threat-intelligence-rich enterprise deception.
- Cowrie fits best
Mature SSH and Telnet monitoring
- CounterCraft The Platform fits best
Threat-intelligence-rich enterprise deception
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Side by side
| Feature | Cowrie 9.2/10 Visit ↗ | CounterCraft The Platform 8.3/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 9.2 | 8.3 |
| Ranking | #2 in Honeypot Software | #7 in Honeypot Software |
| Best for | Mature SSH and Telnet monitoring | Threat-intelligence-rich enterprise deception |
| Pricing model | Free | Paid |
| Starting price | Free plan | Pricing on request |
| Free plan | ✓ (best) | Not checked yet |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Self-hosted | Cloud, Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Linux | Web |
| Integrations | 40+ integrations | 9 integrations |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise | Enterprise |
| Features Cowrie 1/2 · CounterCraft The Platform 2/2 | ||
| Credential lures | ✓ | ✓ |
| Cloud decoys | Not checked yet | ✓ (best) |
| Specs | ||
| Deployment model | Self-hosted | Hybrid |
| 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 |
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | 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 → |
CounterCraft The Platform is an enterprise cybersecurity product built around deception technology. It creates realistic decoy systems and digital-twin environments to divert attackers from production assets, record their activity, and… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
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
CounterCraft The Platform — where it wins
- Digital-twin decoys capture attacker activity beyond production assets
- MITRE ATT&CK, TTP, and IOC context enriches collected intelligence
- Covers IT, OT, cloud, on-premises, and hybrid deployments
Where it doesn't
- Contact-sales pricing makes budget comparison less direct
- No free plan for smaller teams evaluating deception technology
- Enterprise breadth may exceed the needs of narrow deployments
- Cowrie9.2/10 · Free plan
A mature, deep SSH and Telnet honeypot for self-hosted threat monitoring.
Visit CowrieFull verdict → - CounterCraft The Platform8.3/10 · Pricing on request
A broad deception platform for organizations that need attacker context across complex environments.
Visit CounterCraftFull verdict →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Nov 2026
Last updated · How we research and update