Ghostwriter
Ghostwriter: A free, self-hosted workspace for collaborative pentest reporting and engagement management. Ranked #30 of 34 in Penetration Testing Software by our editors (6.2/10); pricing: Free plan; best for free collaborative pentest reporting.
At a glance
- Editor score6.2 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forFree collaborative pentest reporting
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- DeploymentOn-prem
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026

Where it wins
- Collaborative editing with reusable findings and report templates
- Evidence handling plus DOCX, XLSX, PPTX, and JSON exports
- SSO, MFA, RBAC, GraphQL API, and selected security-tool integrations
Where it doesn't
- Requires user-managed, on-premises deployment
- Focused on management and reporting rather than test execution
- Integration coverage is limited to selected tools and services
Our verdict on Ghostwriter
Ghostwriter is an open-source platform for red teams and security consultants managing offensive-security engagements. It brings client and contact records, project and assessment management, domain and server infrastructure tracking, findings management, evidence attachments, and report production into one workspace. The free model makes it a fit for teams that want collaborative pentest reporting without adopting a hosted SaaS product. It is also relevant to organizations that need control over deployment and administration.
The reporting workflow is its clearest strength. Teams can edit reports collaboratively, maintain a reusable findings library, attach evidence files, and generate reports in DOCX, XLSX, PPTX, and JSON formats. Customizable templates support repeatable deliverables across assessments, while the GraphQL API provides a way to connect Ghostwriter with surrounding workflows. Integrations with Mythic C2, Cobalt Strike, Slack, and VirusTotal extend its place in an offensive-security toolchain, although the integration set is focused rather than broad.
Ghostwriter also includes role-based access controls, single sign-on, and multi-factor authentication, which give teams administrative controls for shared project and reporting work. Deployment is on-premises and user-managed, so the product suits organizations prepared to operate their own environment rather than teams seeking a vendor-hosted service. Its scope is important: Ghostwriter centers on project management, evidence, findings, and reporting. Teams looking for software that independently performs web, API, network, or mobile penetration testing should choose a different tool or pair Ghostwriter with dedicated testing products. Pick Ghostwriter when collaborative reporting and engagement organization are the priority.
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Ghostwriter pricing
Ghostwriter fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Deployment | On-prem |
| Web app testing | Not verified |
| API testing | Not verified |
| Network testing | Not verified |
| Mobile testing | Not verified |
| Finding management | Yes |
| Evidence capture | Yes |
| Deployment | Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Web |
| Support | Community, Docs, Tickets |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 4 integrations: Mythic C2, Cobalt Strike, Slack, VirusTotal |
| Pricing | Free plan |
| Website | github.com |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
Ghostwriter integrations
Ghostwriter lists 4 integrations on its own site.
- Mythic C2
- Cobalt Strike
- Slack
- VirusTotal
Alternatives to Ghostwriter
- 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
- Core ImpactA broad on-premise toolkit for repeatable infrastructure, web, client-side, wireless and mobile testing.8.9
See all Ghostwriter alternatives →
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Featured on iTechGuides
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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