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.
PCI ASV scanning: how the process compares
Both companies are on the PCI SSC list of Approved Scanning Vendors (Fortra is listed as "Fortra Vulnerability Manager"; Clone Systems as "Clone Guard PCI"). Fortra has been an ASV since 2005 through Digital Defense and Clone Systems since 2007, so both have long track records. The difference is in how you buy and how disputes are handled.
- Buying. Fortra VM, its PCI-ASV scanning, and the PCI-Pro managed tier are quote only. Clone Systems PCI ASV scanning is bought online at $185, $625, or $1,575 a year, with portal access created automatically when payment goes through.
- Running the scan. In Fortra VM you create a scan group with the PCI Assessment workflow, run it, then send the PCI Compliance Report to the certification workflow once findings are resolved. In Clone Systems you add your IPs or domains in the portal and launch an instant or scheduled scan with no setup.
- Disputes. Fortra lets you mark findings as exceptions, compensating controls, or false positives, and a Fortra PCI analyst reviews each dispute and can move it from fail to pass; the documentation does not publish a turnaround time. Clone Systems reviews exceptions submitted in the portal within 24 hours, and approved exceptions stay attached to future scans.
- Rescans and attestation. Clone Systems includes unlimited rescans until you pass on every plan and issues the Attestation of Scan Compliance (AoSC) after each passing scan. Fortra VM supports rescans through its multi-scan method after remediation.
Switching from Fortra to Clone Systems
ASV scans are external, so there is nothing to migrate. Export the list of public IPs and domains in your Fortra VM PCI scan group and any disputes a Fortra analyst accepted last quarter, since you can submit them again as exceptions. Buy the plan that matches your IP count, run your first scan the same day, fix or dispute anything that fails, and rescan until you pass. Keep your Fortra coverage active until you have a passing AoSC from Clone Systems for the quarter so there is no gap. If you rely on Fortra's PCI-Pro analyst tier, note that Clone Systems includes a direct line to a PCI-certified engineer and an optional AI assistant for remediation guidance.
Frequently asked questions
Process details are taken from each vendor's public documentation and the PCI SSC ASV list, checked September 28, 2026.
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.