Core Impact
Core Impact: A broad on-premise toolkit for repeatable infrastructure, web, client-side, wireless and mobile testing. Ranked #3 of 34 in Penetration Testing Software by our editors (8.9/10); pricing: 30-day trial; best for broad commercial infrastructure testing.
At a glance
- Editor score8.9 / 10
- Pricing30-day trial
- Best forBroad commercial infrastructure testing
- Free planNo
- DeploymentOn-prem
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026
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
Our verdict on Core Impact
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 reporting support teams that need evidence for remediation and compliance activities. Coverage spans network infrastructure, client-side environments, web applications, wireless environments and mobile environments, with availability shaped by the selected plan.
The published plans show a clear progression. Basic includes network assessments, automated workflows, vulnerability scan validation, an interactive visual attack map, report generation and unlimited IP testing scope. Pro adds client-side testing, phishing and ransomware simulation, lateral movement capabilities and CloudCypher access. Enterprise adds web application, Wi-Fi and mobile testing, teaming capabilities, extended functionality options and additional support. The starting price is 9,450, and a 30-day trial is available. Organizations should therefore match the plan to the assessment types they actually need rather than assume every testing area is included at the entry level.
Core Impact fits teams that want a broad commercial testing workflow with integrations across Cobalt Strike, Metasploit, PowerShell Empire, Plextrac, Burp Suite, Fortra Vulnerability Management, Nessus, Nexpose, OpenVAS, Nmap, Qualys, SAINT and Tenable. Its Windows platform and on-premise deployment model suit organizations that want control over the testing environment, while encrypted self-destructing agents support its assessment workflow. Choose it when network testing, scanner validation, retesting and multiple attack surfaces belong in one product. Teams seeking a free plan, a non-Windows platform or a lighter, narrower tool should consider alternatives.
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Core Impact pricing
All 3 Core Impact plans and prices →
Core Impact fact sheet
| Free plan | No |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Not verified |
| Deployment | On-prem |
| Web app testing | Yes |
| API testing | Not verified |
| Network testing | Yes |
| Mobile testing | Yes |
| Finding management | Not verified |
| Evidence capture | Not verified |
| Free trial | 30 days |
| Deployment | Desktop, Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Windows |
| Compliance & security | GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS |
| Support | Email, Phone |
| Built for | Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 13 integrations: Cobalt Strike, Metasploit, PowerShell Empire, Plextrac, Burp Suite, Fortra Vulnerability Management … |
| Pricing | 30-day trial (source) |
| Website | coresecurity.com |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
Core Impact integrations
Core Impact lists 13 integrations on its own site.
- Cobalt Strike
- Metasploit
- PowerShell Empire
- Plextrac
- Burp Suite
- Fortra Vulnerability Management
- Nessus
- Nexpose
- OpenVAS
- Nmap
- Qualys
- SAINT
- Tenable
Alternatives to Core Impact
- PentesterraBroad automated penetration testing with a free plan and €23 monthly entry tier.9.3
- PentiBroad AI-led testing with human validation, evidence, retesting, and compliance reporting.9.1
- NodeZeroA broad autonomous testing platform with attack-path evidence and remediation verification.8.8
See all Core Impact alternatives →
Core Impact vs the competition
- Core Impact vs Pentesterra
- Core Impact vs Penti
- Core Impact vs NodeZero
- Core Impact vs Pentera Platform
- Core Impact vs Burp Suite DAST
- Core Impact vs Offensive360 DAST
Compare Core Impact with any tool side by side →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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