Cowrie vs DentiGrid

Cowrie9.2Visit DentiGrid8.2Visit

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

vs

DentiGrid #8 in Honeypot Software 8.2/10 Paid ✓ 2 of 2 features Visit DentiGrid

• Cowrie fits best

  Mature SSH and Telnet monitoring

• DentiGrid fits best

  Affordable hybrid deception and MSSP use

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Side by side

Feature	Cowrie 9.2/10 Visit ↗	DentiGrid 8.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.2	8.2
Ranking	#2 in Honeypot Software	#8 in Honeypot Software
Best for	Mature SSH and Telnet monitoring	Affordable hybrid deception and MSSP use
Pricing model	Free	Paid
Starting price	Free plan	—
Free plan	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Self-hosted	Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms	Linux	Web
Support	Email, Community, Docs	Email, Docs · 24/7
Integrations	40+ integrations	12 integrations
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Cowrie 1/2 · DentiGrid 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	3 decoys
Data retention	Not checked yet	30 days
Our review
Pros	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	Multi-layer decoys span credentials, databases, cloud resources, and networks Authenticated telemetry integrates with Splunk, Sentinel, Elastic, and QRadar Docker deployment and multi-tenant management support hybrid MSSP operations
Cons	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	Core is limited to basic deception, analytics, and standard email support Advanced workflows, blocklists, and SIEM integrations require Growth Self-hosted decoys require Docker deployment and operational ownership
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 →	DentiGrid is a paid SIEM-native honeypot and active-deception platform for managed security service providers and enterprise SOC teams. It distributes synthetic SSH keys, canary tokens, decoy database tables, AWS credentials, and cloud… 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

• DentiGrid — where it wins

  • Multi-layer decoys span credentials, databases, cloud resources, and networks
  • Authenticated telemetry integrates with Splunk, Sentinel, Elastic, and QRadar
  • Docker deployment and multi-tenant management support hybrid MSSP operations

  Where it doesn't

  • Core is limited to basic deception, analytics, and standard email support
  • Advanced workflows, blocklists, and SIEM integrations require Growth
  • Self-hosted decoys require Docker deployment and operational ownership

• Cowrie9.2/10 · Free plan

  A mature, deep SSH and Telnet honeypot for self-hosted threat monitoring.

  Visit CowrieFull verdict →
• DentiGrid8.2/10 · Paid

  A hybrid honeypot platform with layered decoys, telemetry, and security-operations integrations.

  Visit DentiGridFull verdict →