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qsa.sh vs Hacktron: Which is Better in 2026?

Choosing between qsa.sh and Hacktron comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.

Bottom line: qsa.sh wins this matchup. Our overall Vulnerability Scanning pick is Malwarebytes. Our free Vulnerability Scanning pick is Intruder. Pick Hacktron if you need a free tier to start with.

··Methodology
Editor reviewed0 verified reviews comparedPricing checked Sep 2026

Short on time? Here's the quick answer

We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:

qsa.sh

External port and vulnerability scans from your terminal

Best for you if:

  • You want zero installation, just run curl; no agent or software to deploy
  • You want transparent and auditable, uses only public open-source tools, no black box

Hacktron

Your AI teammate for security, identifying real vulnerabilities and empowering developers.

Best for you if:

  • You want significantly reduces time spent chasing false positive security alerts
  • You want provides highly accurate, validated vulnerability findings
At a Glance
qsa.shqsa.sh
HacktronHacktron
Starts at
FreeFree tier available
FreeFree tier available
Best For
SecuritySecurity
Rating
--
Free plan
Yes Yes

Choose qsa.sh or Hacktron?

qsa.sh

Choose qsa.sh if

External port and vulnerability scans from your terminal

  • You want zero installation, just run curl; no agent or software to deploy
  • You want transparent and auditable, uses only public open-source tools, no black box
Hacktron

Choose Hacktron if

Your AI teammate for security, identifying real vulnerabilities and empowering developers.

  • You want significantly reduces time spent chasing false positive security alerts
  • You want provides highly accurate, validated vulnerability findings
Featureqsa.shHacktron
Pricing ModelFreemiumFreemium
User RatingNo ratings yetNo ratings yet
Categories
SecurityTerminal Tools
SecurityAI Agents

In-Depth Analysis

qsa.shqsa.sh

External port and vulnerability scans from your terminal

Starts at Free
Good value

The pricing is generous for casual use with a free tier that covers the top 1,000 ports, but the $5/mo Full Pro tier is a steal for continuous scanning of all ports, while $7/scan for Deep is steep for occasional use.

Strengths

  • +Zero installation, just run curl; no agent or software to deploy.
  • +Transparent and auditable, uses only public open-source tools, no black box.
  • +Strictly limited to scanning your own IP, with consent gate and opt-out for operators.

Weaknesses

  • -IPv4 only, IPv6 connections are refused.
  • -Free scan limited to one per 24 hours and only top 1,000 ports; Full and Deep require payment.

Key features

Scans only your own connecting public IP – no target field, cannot be pointed at others.Uses naabu, nmap + vulners, and nuclei – all open source, transparent toolchain.Live terminal streaming of results as they are found (ports, services, versions, CVEs).No data stored; results ephemeral, only rate-limit counters retained temporarily.15-second pre-scan consent window with Ctrl-C abort option.Opt-out mechanism for IPs/ranges you control – permanently excluded from all scans.

HacktronHacktron

Your AI teammate for security, identifying real vulnerabilities and empowering developers.

Starts at Free
Good value

Hacktron's pricing is fair for open-source projects with its generous free tier.

Watch out

Overage fees of $1 per additional PR on Pro Plan.

Strengths

  • +Significantly reduces time spent chasing false positive security alerts.
  • +Provides highly accurate, validated vulnerability findings.
  • +Accelerates compliance reporting for SOC 2 and ISO 27001.
  • +Leverages expertise of elite hackers and AI for advanced threat detection.
  • +Scalable for simple to highly complex multi-service applications.

Weaknesses

  • -No explicit free tier mentioned, only a "Start for free" button which might lead to a trial or demo.
  • -Pricing can become substantial for mature and enterprise-level applications.
  • -Requires integration into existing development workflows.

Key features

AI-augmented security research and validationFull-scope penetration testingCode review capabilitiesDeep security analysis across full application scopeTaint flow tracing through business logic, auth, and payment pathsThreat modeling and architecture analysis

Pricing: qsa.sh vs Hacktron

Planqsa.shHacktron
Tier 1
$0/mo or Free
Free
Free
Free for Open Source
Tier 2
$5/mo
Full Pro
$40/ developer / mo.
Pro Plan
Tier 3
$7/scan
Deep
Custom pricing
Enterprise

Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on qsa.sh pricing and Hacktron pricing.

Who Should Use What?

On a budget?

Both are freemium. Compare plans on their websites.

Go with: qsa.sh

Want the highest-rated option?

Neither has ratings yet.

Too early to call on ratings — compare on features and pricing.

Value user reviews?

Neither has ratings yet.

Too early to call — neither has ratings yet.

3 Questions to Help You Decide

1

What's your budget?

Both are freemium. Pricing won't help you decide here.

2

What's your use case?

Both are security tools. Compare their specific features to decide.

3

How important are ratings?

Neither has ratings yet.

Key Takeaways

qsa.sh

  • Free tier available
  • Our pick for this comparison

Hacktron

  • Choose if you want your AI teammate for security, identifying real vulnerabilities and empowering developers

The Bottom Line

qsa.sh wins this matchup. Our overall Vulnerability Scanning pick is Malwarebytes. Our free Vulnerability Scanning pick is Intruder.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is qsa.sh or Hacktron better?

qsa.sh is rated in our evaluation. Both are freemium.

What are qsa.sh and Hacktron used for?

qsa.sh: External port and vulnerability scans from your terminal. Hacktron: Your AI teammate for security, identifying real vulnerabilities and empowering developers..

What does qsa.sh cost vs Hacktron?

qsa.sh is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Hacktron is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.

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