How Open-Source Phishing Tools Compare With Paid Solutions

Phishing attacks are evolving rapidly, and even with expensive technical defensive systems in place, a well-crafted phishing email has the potential to cut through your defenses by exploiting human vulnerabilities.

To combat these sophisticated threats, businesses implement phishing simulations that train employees to recognize deceptive emails.

When implementing phishing simulations into your defensive playbook, you will face a key decision: use open-source phishing tools that are free but resource-intensive or invest in paid solutions that are ready to go out of the box.

This article explores both options, highlighting their advantages and limitations to help you make an informed choice that aligns with your resources, objectives, and expertise.

What Are Open-Source Phishing Tools?

Open-source phishing tools, such as Gophish, are designed and maintained by a community of developers. These tools are publicly available and offer a self-hosted platform for simulating phishing attacks.

Benefits of Open-Source Phishing Tools

• They’re free! Open-source tools are free to use. This is perfect for organizations with a limited budget.
• Transparency. Open-source developers maintain these projects with the goal of providing organizations with a free and transparent alternative.
• Maintain complete control. Users have full control over these tools. From viewing source code to choosing hosting solutions, open-source tools put the user in the driving seat.
• Great learning opportunity. Getting an open-source phishing simulator is often regarded as a good learning experience for penetration testers and red-teamers.
• You're not locked in. With open-source tools, you're not tied to a specific vendor's ecosystem or subscription model.

Limitations Of Open-Source Phishing Tools

• Time-Consuming Setup. These tools are free, but setting them up takes time and technical know-how. It’s not a plug-and-play solution.
• Content creation is needed. Open-source phishing tools typically don't come with any phishing content. It's on you as the consumer to develop and maintain your own material. Keeping content current is a continuous effort.
• Limited support. The nature of using open-source is that you're leveraging a community of developers who are providing their time for free. Bug fixes and updates aren’t guaranteed or timely.
• They are missing big-ticket functionality. Compared to paid solutions, open-source tools might lack advanced features. Functionality such as automated reporting, phishing websites, single sign-on (SSO), and integrations with platforms like Entra ID or Google Workspace are often missing.
• Integration difficulties. Integrating open-source tools with existing systems and workflows can be more challenging without the built-in connectors and integrations that paid solutions often provide.

What Do Paid Phishing Tools Have To Offer?

Opting between free and paid phishing tools is like choosing between cooking a meal at home or dining out at a restaurant. Cooking at home is cost-effective if you have the time and skills. Dining out offers convenience and professional service. Both have their benefits, and the best choice depends on your resources and what you value most. Here's what paid tools have to offer:

• Professional Support. Paid tools come with dedicated support through phone, email, chat, or even video. You get quick help whenever you need it.
• Managed Infrastructure. Professional tools come with managed infrastructure. This not only reduces the burden on your IT staff but also ensures that the infrastructure is optimized, secure, and up-to-date with the latest security protocols.
• Ready-to-Use Content and Templates. Paid solutions offer a library of pre-built phishing emails, website templates, and training modules. The content is regularly updated to stay relevant.
• Feature-Rich Out of the Box. Paid tools include advanced features that make running phishing simulations easier like detailed reports, dark web monitoring, Single Sign-On (SSO), multi-language support, domain scanning, and integrations with platforms like Entra ID and Google Workspace.
• Easy to Use and Quick to Deploy. Paid phishing tools can be far simpler to deploy. They have intuitive interfaces and streamlined setup processes. You can launch campaigns in minutes, getting your security training up and running fast.
• Designed to Be Scalable. Paid tools scale are designed to scale easily. They can handle growing user bases and more extensive campaigns without issues. This is important if you anticipate more users in the future.
• Continuous Updates and Improvements. Paid solutions are regularly updated with new features and improvements. This ensures you always have access to the latest tools and security measures.

A Features Comparison Of Paid vs. Open Source Tools

In this section, we compare CanIPhish, a fully equipped phishing simulation and security awareness training tool, with Gophish, the most popular open-source alternative.

This comparison aims to outline the features of both paid and free tools, giving you a clear view of the options available and helping you choose the right tool for your organization's needs.

Which Solution Is Best For You?

Both options have benefits and trade-offs. Is cost your biggest factor? Or is ease of deployment what you're really looking for? Let's summarize each solution and highlight who it's most suited to.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between phishing tools and anti-phishing tools?

Phishing tools simulate attacks for training and testing purposes, helping organizations improve their security posture by finding weaknesses, that can addressed, in their human defense. These tools usually include training capabilities baked into them. Anti-phishing tools are used to detect and block real phishing attempts, providing protection by flagging suspicious content and preventing malicious activity.

What operating system do phishing simulation tools run on?

Most phishing simulation tools operate on a SaaS (Software as a Sevice) model, meaning you can access them directly through a web browser. Open-source platforms like Gophish, are downloaded and support multiple operating systems, including Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Can red teamers (pen testers) use paid phishing tools?

Yes, but it depends on the platform and what features you need. Some paid tools prioritize ease of use, simplifying onboarding but offering less flexibility in terms of customization and sending infrastructure. On the other hand, platforms like CanIPhish offer more control, including the option to BYO (Bring Your Own) Infrastructure, allowing red teamers to fully customize how phishing simulations are sent.