MISP vs OpenCTI

A side-by-side comparison across pricing, deployment, integrations, compliance, and threat intelligence-specific features. Descriptive comparison only — no recommendations.

4 min read Data verified: July 2026 Threat Intelligence

MISP

Threat Intel Platform (OSS)

Free under AGPL-3.0 community-driven with funding from European Union (CEF) and CIRCL (Computer Incident Response Center Luxembourg); commercial support available from third-party providers (CIRCL, Cosive, NVISO)

Free / OSS

Visit official site →

OpenCTI

Threat Intel Platform

Community Edition free under Apache 2.0 Enterprise Edition custom-priced by Filigran (typically annual subscription scaling with deployment size and SaaS hosting); 30-day free trial of Enterprise Edition; free EE licenses available for non-profit/research/connector development

Freemium / Paid

Visit official site →

$ Pricing & plans

5 dimensions

Pricing model

Free under AGPL-3.0

community-driven with funding from European Union (CEF) and CIRCL (Computer Incident Response Center Luxembourg); commercial support available from third-party providers (CIRCL, Cosive, NVISO)

Community Edition free under Apache 2.0

Enterprise Edition custom-priced by Filigran (typically annual subscription scaling with deployment size and SaaS hosting); 30-day free trial of Enterprise Edition; free EE licenses available for non-profit/research/connector development

Pricing tier

Free / OSS

Freemium / Paid

Free tier / trial

Free tier

Software permanently free; demo and test access via CIRCL public instances

Free tier

Community Edition permanently free; 30-day Enterprise Edition free trial with full feature access; demo instance reset nightly (https://demo.opencti.io)

Volume discounts

Not applicable

software is free; commercial support contracts from third parties priced separately

Enterprise Edition pricing scales with deployment size

multi-year commitments and bundling with other Filigran XTM products (OpenBAS for adversary simulation, OpenAEV for exposure validation) commonly improve pricing

Hidden costs

Self-hosted infrastructure (VMs, storage, sync bandwidth), operational labor…

for administration and community management, optional commercial support contracts, integration development for proprietary tools, taxonomy/galaxy maintenance work

Infrastructure for self-hosted CE (Elasticsearch and Redis clusters can be…

resource-intensive at scale), connector development for proprietary sources, training and onboarding for analysts new to STIX 2.1, professional services for complex deployments

↗ Deployment & integrations

3 dimensions

Deployment

Self-hosted on-premises, in cloud (AWS, Azure, GCP, OVH), or air-gapped

Docker images available; SaaS deployment via managed providers like Cosive; reference deployments include CIRCL, FIRST, NATO, multiple government CERTs and ISACs

Self-hosted via Docker / Docker Compose / Kubernetes for both editions

fully-managed SaaS via XTM Hub for Enterprise; supports air-gapped on-premises for sovereign deployments; microservices architecture with Elasticsearch, Redis, MinIO, RabbitMQ

Typical deployment time

Hours for single-instance setup

days to weeks for federated trust-group deployments with sharing rules, taxonomies, and connector configuration; ongoing community participation is an organizational commitment

Hours to days for Community Edition basic deployment

weeks for production-grade Enterprise deployments with full connector configuration, identity integration, and analyst training; SaaS deployment fastest

Key integrations

Native integrations with SIEMs (Splunk, Elastic, Sentinel, QRadar), SOAR…

platforms (TheHive/Cortex, Cosive), EDR/IDS (Suricata, Snort, Zeek, Bro), and other TIPs (OpenCTI sync, MISP-to-MISP sync); 200+ misp-modules for enrichment; PyMISP Python library; FlowIntel for case management; CTI-Transmute.org for format interoperability

300+ integrations via self-service connector catalog

MISP, TheHive, MITRE ATT&CK, Shodan, VirusTotal, AbuseIPDB, Recorded Future, Mandiant, CrowdStrike, Splunk, QRadar, Elastic Security, Microsoft Sentinel, ServiceNow, Slack, Jira; native bidirectional sync with MISP

📡 Threat Intelligence-specific evaluation

7 dimensions

TIP type / model

Threat intelligence sharing platform

purpose-built for peer-to-peer IOC and event exchange among trusted communities; structured information sharing model

Modern Threat Intelligence Platform with knowledge graph data model

structures intelligence around STIX 2.1 entities, relationships, and observables; supports both technical (IOCs, TTPs) and strategic (threat actors, campaigns, victimology) intelligence

Data sources

Community-contributed (peer sharing via MISP communities such as CIRCL, FIRST,…

sector ISACs); integration-fed feeds (OSINT, MISP-Galaxy, commercial threat feeds via misp-modules); user-created events; no built-in proprietary research feed

Customer-supplied

feeds from MISP, MITRE ATT&CK, commercial feeds (Recorded Future, Mandiant), OSINT (Shodan, VirusTotal, AbuseIPDB), internal investigations; no built-in proprietary research feed (the platform structures intelligence rather than producing it)

STIX / TAXII support

STIX 1.x and STIX 2.x export/import

v2.5.37 (April 2026) switched the STIX 2 stack to the upstream library bundled with misp-stix; native MISP format with rich attribute model; OpenIOC export

Native STIX 2.1

one of the few platforms that fully leverages STIX 2.1 throughout the data model; TAXII 2.1 client and server; bidirectional sync with other STIX-compliant platforms

Sharing / community model

Granular distribution levels (Your Organization, This Community, Connected…

Communities, All Communities); sharing groups for sector-based exchange; cryptographic signing and validation of events; MISP-Guard safety nets prevent accidental information leakage

Multi-tenancy for hosting multiple organizations in one instance with…

centralized access control (Enterprise feature); bidirectional MISP sync for participating in MISP communities; data segregation by org/group in EE; less focused on community sharing than MISP — primarily a structured intelligence repository

Integrations (SIEM/SOAR/EDR)

Native sync with Splunk, Elastic, Microsoft Sentinel, QRadar via misp-modules

SOAR integrations with TheHive/Cortex, Cosive, FlowIntel; IDS/IPS integration (Suricata, Snort rule export); EDR enrichment via API; 200+ enrichment modules

300+ integrations via self-service connector catalog

SIEM connectors for Splunk, Elastic, Sentinel, QRadar; SOAR via TheHive/Cortex, Tines, Torq; EDR via CrowdStrike, SentinelOne; native bidirectional MISP sync; GraphQL API for custom integrations

Analyst workflow features

Event templating system (new in v2.5.37, replacing legacy templating), taxonomy…

and galaxy tagging, correlation engine for indicator overlap, event delegation for pseudo-anonymous sharing, MISP workflow for review and approval, custom dashboards

Knowledge hypergraph visualization, timeline analysis, ATT&CK mappings,…

dashboards customization; Enterprise Edition adds AI playbooks, Priority Intelligence Requirements (PIRs), FINTEL (finished intelligence templates with dissemination lists), AI-assisted file import, AI report generation, NLP search (Natural Language Query)

Pricing model

Pure open source under AGPL-3.0

copyright owned by interlocked contributor license preventing single-organization control; commercial support optional via third parties

Open core — Community Edition fully free under Apache 2.0

Enterprise Edition is a commercial license adding AI, governance, and managed SaaS

✓ Compliance & certifications

1 dimension

Compliance certifications

Software has no specific certifications (open-source project)

deployments at CIRCL, FIRST, and NATO operate under their respective compliance frameworks; users responsible for deployment compliance posture

Audit logging and RBAC support GDPR, ISO/IEC 27001, NIST CSF compliance posture

Filigran SaaS deployments include specific certifications appropriate to enterprise customers; on-premises compliance is customer-controlled

◧ Positioning

3 dimensions

Target deployment

ISACs, CERTs, governments, financial sector, and sharing communities wanting an…

open-source platform purpose-built for peer-to-peer threat intel exchange

Threat intelligence teams wanting a modern TIP with knowledge graph modeling,…

native STIX 2.1, and the option to scale from open-source CE to commercial Enterprise Edition

Strengths cited

Fully open source under AGPL-3.0 with copyright owned by interlocked…

contributor license (cannot be acquired and closed), purpose-built for trust-group threat sharing, runs the FIRST and CIRCL community instances, granular distribution and sharing controls, MISP-Guard safety nets for information leakage prevention, vibrant 2026 development (v2.5.37 released April 29, 2026 with new Event Templating system, Overmind UI migration in progress), broad taxonomy ecosystem (MITRE ATT&CK, AM!TT, TLP, GDPR, Veris, etc.)

Knowledge graph data model with native STIX 2.1 (one of the few platforms that…

fully leverages STIX 2.1 throughout), 300+ integrations via self-service connector catalog, 6,500+ community members on Slack, AI-powered import / report generation / NLP search in Enterprise Edition, audit logging and RBAC for compliance, multi-tenancy support for hosting multiple orgs, trusted by Rivian, governments, financial institutions; GraphQL API and microservices architecture

Where it fits less well

Self-hosted operational responsibility (server maintenance, sync configuration,…

user/community management); UI is functional but less polished than commercial alternatives; integration playbooks and AI-driven workflows require building or sourcing from companion tools (FlowIntel for case management, SkillAegis for training); no native commercial 24/7 support — third-party providers like CIRCL, Cosive, and NVISO offer paid support

Enterprise Edition adds meaningful operational cost (custom-quoted by Filigran)

Community Edition lacks SSO (LDAP/SAML/OIDC require EE license), AI features, audit logs, and RBAC granularity; learning curve for teams new to STIX 2.1 knowledge graphs; raw platform doesn't include curated intel feeds — sources need to be added separately

◧ Bottom line

Last updated 6 July 2026

Who should pick which MISP — ISACs and sector-based sharing communities (financial, healthcare, energy), national CERTs and government intelligence sharing, organizations requiring full data sovereignty over threat intel, security teams already participating in MISP sharing communities (FIRST, CIRCL, sector ISACs).

OpenCTI — Mid-market to enterprise threat intelligence teams needing a modern TIP with knowledge graph modeling, organizations standardizing on STIX 2.1, MSSPs hosting multi-tenant intelligence operations, teams wanting open-core flexibility (start on CE, upgrade to EE as needs grow), governments and large enterprises (Rivian publicly references OpenCTI usage).

Both are Threat Intel Platform (OSS) tools; the practical differences are licensing (Free / OSS vs Freemium / Paid) and deployment (Self-hosted (on-prem, cloud, or air-gapped); also available as SaaS via managed providers (Cosive, CIRCL, others) vs Self-hosted (Docker, Kubernetes) or fully-managed SaaS by Filigran; air-gapped deployment supported for Enterprise Edition). Match the profile above to your environment.

◧ Choose MISP or OpenCTI?

decision guide

Choose if

Choose MISP if…

You can deploy Self-hosted (on-prem, cloud, or air-gapped); also available as SaaS via managed providers (Cosive, CIRCL, others).

Free / OSS licensing fits your budget — Free (AGPL-3.0); community-driven open source project funded by CIRCL and the European Union (Connecting Europe Facility).

You prioritise Fully open source under AGPL-3.0 with copyright owned by interlocked contributor license (cannot be acquired and closed), purpose-built for trust-group threat sharing, runs the FIRST and CIRCL community instances, granular distribution and sharing controls, MISP-Guard safety nets for information leakage prevention, vibrant 2026 development (v2.5.37 released April 29, 2026 with new Event Templating system, Overmind UI migration in progress), broad taxonomy ecosystem (MITRE ATT&CK, AM!TT, TLP, GDPR, Veris, etc.).

Choose OpenCTI if…

You can deploy Self-hosted (Docker, Kubernetes) or fully-managed SaaS by Filigran; air-gapped deployment supported for Enterprise Edition.

Freemium / Paid licensing fits your budget — Community Edition free (Apache 2.0); Enterprise Edition commercial license with AI playbooks, PIRs, FINTEL, SSO, audit logging, RBAC, data segregation; SaaS option fully managed by Filigran.

You prioritise Knowledge graph data model with native STIX 2.1 (one of the few platforms that fully leverages STIX 2.1 throughout), 300+ integrations via self-service connector catalog, 6,500+ community members on Slack, AI-powered import / report generation / NLP search in Enterprise Edition, audit logging and RBAC for compliance, multi-tenancy support for hosting multiple orgs, trusted by Rivian, governments, financial institutions; GraphQL API and microservices architecture.

Frequently asked questions

5 questions

How much do MISP and OpenCTI cost?

MISP: Free under AGPL-3.0; community-driven with funding from European Union (CEF) and CIRCL (Computer Incident Response Center Luxembourg); commercial support available from third-party providers (CIRCL, Cosive, NVISO) OpenCTI: Community Edition free under Apache 2.0; Enterprise Edition custom-priced by Filigran (typically annual subscription scaling with deployment size and SaaS hosting); 30-day free trial of Enterprise Edition; free EE licenses available for non-profit/research/connector development

Does MISP or OpenCTI offer a free tier or trial?

MISP: Software permanently free; demo and test access via CIRCL public instances OpenCTI: Community Edition permanently free; 30-day Enterprise Edition free trial with full feature access; demo instance reset nightly (https://demo.opencti.io)

How are MISP and OpenCTI deployed?

MISP: Self-hosted on-premises, in cloud (AWS, Azure, GCP, OVH), or air-gapped; Docker images available; SaaS deployment via managed providers like Cosive; reference deployments include CIRCL, FIRST, NATO, multiple government CERTs and ISACs OpenCTI: Self-hosted via Docker / Docker Compose / Kubernetes for both editions; fully-managed SaaS via XTM Hub for Enterprise; supports air-gapped on-premises for sovereign deployments; microservices architecture with Elasticsearch, Redis, MinIO, RabbitMQ

Who is MISP best for, and who is OpenCTI best for?

MISP is aimed at ISACs, CERTs, governments, financial sector, and sharing communities wanting an open-source platform purpose-built for peer-to-peer threat intel exchange. OpenCTI is aimed at Threat intelligence teams wanting a modern TIP with knowledge graph modeling, native STIX 2.1, and the option to scale from open-source CE to commercial Enterprise Edition.

What compliance certifications do MISP and OpenCTI hold?

MISP: Software has no specific certifications (open-source project); deployments at CIRCL, FIRST, and NATO operate under their respective compliance frameworks; users responsible for deployment compliance posture OpenCTI: Audit logging and RBAC support GDPR, ISO/IEC 27001, NIST CSF compliance posture; Filigran SaaS deployments include specific certifications appropriate to enterprise customers; on-premises compliance is customer-controlled

Related comparisons

See all Threat Intelligence tools

Browse the full category with side-by-side comparisons across threat intelligence-specific dimensions.

Browse Threat Intelligence →

Methodology Comparison data synthesized from publicly available vendor documentation, MITRE Engenuity ATT&CK Evaluations, AV-TEST results, Gartner Peer Insights, G2/Capterra/TrustRadius reviews, anonymized transaction data (Vendr, CostBench, CheckThat.ai), and publicly reported pricing as of May 2026. defend.network is independent and has no commercial relationship with the vendors compared.