Documented by Cortex Xpanse only: CONTAINED and ROUTED.
Documented by Rapid7 Surface Command only: none.
Documented by both: FOUND.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Cortex Xpanse vs Rapid7 Surface Command: which ASM tool takes an exposure further?
THE SHORT ANSWER
Cortex Xpanse scores higher overall on our weights, 6.40 to 5.25. Cortex Xpanse scores higher on Finds the unlisted estate, Routes to an owner, Contains before the patch, Closes the loop and Fits the enterprise stack; Rapid7 Surface Command scores higher on Buying transparency; they tie on Proves exploitability. The table below gives the reason for every score.
Cortex Xpanse
Rank 5 of 10
Best for: Palo Alto Networks Cortex estates that want automated response through XSOAR
Rapid7 Surface Command
Rank 8 of 10
Best for: Rapid7 customers who want external and internal inventory in one product
Which tool scores higher on each criterion?
| Criterion | Cortex Xpanse | Rapid7 Surface Command | Higher |
|---|---|---|---|
Finds the unlisted estate 15%WhyCortex Xpanse: Palo Alto Networks states it scans all 4.3 billion IPv4 addresses several times a day and 500 billion+ ports daily. Rapid7 Surface Command: Combines external visibility (EASM) with a unified internal and external inventory (CAASM). | 8 / 10 | 6 / 10 | Cortex Xpanse |
Routes to an owner 10%WhyCortex Xpanse: Identifies third-party stakeholders for exposures; subsidiary attribution detail is not on the pages reviewed. Rapid7 Surface Command: Builds a unified asset inventory; how ownership is attributed is not described. | 7 / 10 | 6 / 10 | Cortex Xpanse |
Proves exploitability 20%WhyCortex Xpanse: Exploitability validation is not described on the product pages reviewed; the emphasis is discovery and response. Rapid7 Surface Command: No active validation is documented for Surface Command; runtime validation was announced for Exposure Command's cloud scope. | 5 / 10 | 5 / 10 | Tie |
Contains before the patch 20%WhyCortex Xpanse: Active Response runs built-in automated playbooks against exposures; edge WAF rules are not named. Rapid7 Surface Command: SOAR-ready automation is listed; no compensating control at the edge is described. | 7 / 10 | 4 / 10 | Cortex Xpanse |
Closes the loop 15%WhyCortex Xpanse: Routes and remediates through Cortex XSOAR playbooks; a retest after the fix is not described. Rapid7 Surface Command: Remediation workflows, SLAs and reporting are listed for higher tiers; no retest described. | 6 / 10 | 5 / 10 | Cortex Xpanse |
Fits the enterprise stack 10%WhyCortex Xpanse: Native ties to Cortex XSOAR and Prisma Cloud inside the Palo Alto Networks Cortex portfolio. Rapid7 Surface Command: Part of the Rapid7 Command platform beside Exposure Command, InsightVM and InsightCloudSec. | 9 / 10 | 8 / 10 | Cortex Xpanse |
Buying transparency 10%WhyCortex Xpanse: No price from Palo Alto Networks; a UK G-Cloud reseller listing shows £70,850.84 per instance per year. Rapid7 Surface Command: A trial is offered; no price is published. | 3 / 10 | 4 / 10 | Rapid7 Surface Command |
Which steps does each tool document?
Cortex Xpanse
- FOUNDDocumented
Internet-wide IPv4 scanning several times a day.
- OWNEDPartial
Third-party stakeholders identified; subsidiary attribution not detailed.
- PROVENNot documented
Exploitability validation not described on the pages reviewed.
- CONTAINEDDocumented
Active Response automated playbooks.
- ROUTEDDocumented
Routing and remediation through Cortex XSOAR playbooks.
- RECHECKEDNot documented
Retest after a fix not described.
Rapid7 Surface Command
- FOUNDDocumented
External and internal asset discovery.
- OWNEDNot documented
Ownership attribution method not described.
- PROVENNot documented
No active validation documented for Surface Command.
- CONTAINEDPartial
SOAR-ready automation, higher tiers.
- ROUTEDPartial
Remediation workflows and SLAs at higher tiers.
- RECHECKEDNot documented
Retest after a fix not described.
Partial counts as not documented for these three lines.
What do they cost?
Cortex Xpanse
No price from Palo Alto Networks. Reseller price: a UK G-Cloud 14 listing by Khipu Networks shows £70,850.84 per instance per year, no free trial, public-facing attack surface only.
To start: Not published on the pages reviewed.
Rapid7 Surface Command
Not published
A trial is offered. Price not published.
To start: Public trial offered.
Which should you choose?
Choose Cortex Xpanse if
- it matters most to you that it fits the enterprise stack (9/10)
- it matters most to you that it finds the unlisted estate (8/10)
Choose Cortex Xpanse if Cortex XSOAR already runs your response and you want exposures acted on by playbook. Look elsewhere if proof of exploitability is your main gap.
Choose Rapid7 Surface Command if
- it matters most to you that it fits the enterprise stack (8/10)
- it matters most to you that it finds the unlisted estate (6/10)
Choose Rapid7 Surface Command if you need one inventory across internal and external assets, especially inside the Rapid7 Command platform. Look elsewhere if proof and containment are the gap.
Frequently asked questions
Which proves exploitability better, Cortex Xpanse or Rapid7 Surface Command?
Neither: they tie on our proof criterion (Cortex Xpanse 5/10, Rapid7 Surface Command 5/10). Cortex Xpanse: Exploitability validation is not described on the product pages reviewed; the emphasis is discovery and response. Rapid7 Surface Command: No active validation is documented for Surface Command; runtime validation was announced for Exposure Command's cloud scope.
Can Cortex Xpanse or Rapid7 Surface Command contain an exposure before the patch?
Cortex Xpanse documents one: Active Response automated playbooks. Rapid7 Surface Command: not documented on the pages reviewed Contain scores: Cortex Xpanse 7/10, Rapid7 Surface Command 4/10.
Which is easier to buy, Cortex Xpanse or Rapid7 Surface Command?
Cortex Xpanse: No price from Palo Alto Networks. Reseller price: a UK G-Cloud 14 listing by Khipu Networks shows £70,850.84 per instance per year, no free trial, public-facing attack surface only. Rapid7 Surface Command: A trial is offered. Price not published. Buying transparency scores: Cortex Xpanse 3/10, Rapid7 Surface Command 4/10.
Read next
- Cortex Xpanse profile
Scores, sources and pricing
- Rapid7 Surface Command profile
Scores, sources and pricing
- Beyond Cortex Xpanse: alternatives
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- Beyond Rapid7 Surface Command: alternatives
Eight alternatives ranked
- Line them up
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