Fortra vs Clone Systems
Vulnerability scanning, PCI ASV coverage and penetration testing compared with transparent online pricing.
Fortra is a large security software company whose vulnerability management product, Fortra VM (formerly Frontline VM from Digital Defense), sits alongside Core Impact for penetration testing and a wide portfolio of other tools. Clone Systems is a PCI Approved Scanning Vendor since 2007 that puts PCI ASV scanning, vulnerability scanning, web application scanning, and automated penetration testing in one platform you can buy online. This page compares the two on features and published pricing, using only what each company publishes about its own products.
Where Fortra is strong
Fortra VM has been a PCI Approved Scanning Vendor since 2005 and offers network scanning, endpoint agents, and a separate web application scanning product. Fortra sells managed service tiers where a named analyst runs your scans (VM Pro and PCI-Pro), and Core Impact adds automated and manual penetration testing for organizations that want it from the same vendor. Fortra also offers a free trial of Fortra VM.
Where Clone Systems is different
- Every price is published. Clone Systems lists every package price and sells online. Fortra VM, its web app scanner, Core Impact, and PCI-Pro are all quote only.
- Pen testing in the same platform, at a package price. Clone Systems sells automated external and internal pen tests from $1,995 per 30 days inside the scanning platform. Fortra's automated pen testing is Core Impact, a separate product sold and licensed on its own.
- Web app scanning in the same platform. Clone Systems authenticated web app scanning is part of the same platform and cart, from $5,995 a year for 10 apps. Fortra's web app scanning is a separate product from Fortra VM.
- AI remediation assistant. The Clone Systems AI assistant explains findings in plain language and runs privately in our own data center. We found no AI remediation assistant in Fortra VM's public materials.
- Buy today, scan today. No quote, no procurement cycle. Fortra sells through quotes and its partner channel.
Feature comparison
| Capability | Clone Systems | Fortra |
|---|---|---|
| PCI Approved Scanning Vendor | ||
| External vulnerability scanning | ||
| Internal network scanning | ||
| Agent-based scanning | ||
| Authenticated web app scanning | (separate product) | |
| Automated external pen testing | Limited (Core Impact, separate product) | |
| Automated internal pen testing | Limited (Core Impact, separate product) | |
| Managed penetration testing | ||
| AI remediation assistant | Not found | |
| AI hosted in vendor's own data center | Not applicable | |
| Published prices with online checkout | Quote only | |
| Analyst-run managed scanning tier | (VM Pro, PCI-Pro) | |
| Free trial |
Published pricing, side by side
| Module | Clone Systems | Fortra |
|---|---|---|
| PCI ASV scanning | $185/yr (1 IP), $625 (10), $1,575 (25) | Quote only |
| External vulnerability scanning | $595/yr (10 IPs), $2,495 (50), $5,985 (150) | Quote only |
| Internal vulnerability scanning | $1,095/yr (128 IPs), $1,495 (512), $2,295 (2,048) | Quote only |
| Agent-based scanning | $1,195/yr (25 agents), $3,995 (100), $7,995 (250) | Quote only |
| Authenticated web app scanning | $5,995/yr (10 apps), $14,995 (50), $24,995 (150) | Quote only (separate product) |
| Automated pen testing | External from $1,995, internal from $2,995 (30 days) | Core Impact, quote only |
Prices as published by each vendor, checked September 21, 2026. Fortra publishes no list prices for these products; its pricing page describes tiered pricing based on the number of assets and directs buyers to request a quote. Fortra's AWS Marketplace listings show placeholder amounts marked Private Offer Only.
Who should choose which
Choose Fortra if you want a named analyst running your scans as a managed service, already use other Fortra products, or buy through a reseller relationship with Fortra.
Choose Clone Systems if you want to see the price before you talk to anyone, need PCI ASV scanning, vulnerability scanning, web app scanning, and pen testing from one platform and one cart, or want plain-language AI help fixing what the scan finds. You can buy today and scan today.
Fortra, Fortra VM, Frontline, and Core Impact are trademarks of Fortra, LLC. Clone Systems is not affiliated with Fortra. Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we will update it.