Alternatives to Microsoft Security Compliance Toolkit
Microsoft tools and security baselines for analyzing, testing and comparing Windows security configurations. The listings below can replace it for an important use case. Each note says what changes if you switch.
The original
Microsoft Security Compliance Toolkit
Microsoft tools and security baselines for analyzing, testing and comparing Windows security configurations.
Replacements
Listings that take over the same core job as Microsoft Security Compliance Toolkit.
CIS-CAT Lite
A free tool from the Center for Internet Security that checks systems against CIS Benchmarks.
CIS-CAT Lite checks systems against CIS Benchmarks instead of Microsoft baselines, runs on Windows, macOS and Linux, and requires a registration form to download.
OpenSCAP
Open source tools for scanning systems against SCAP security policies and hardening baselines.
OpenSCAP is open source and scans Linux systems against SCAP policies and hardening guides, rather than applying Microsoft baselines to Windows.
Also worth comparing
These listings name Microsoft Security Compliance Toolkit as their own alternative, so the relationship runs both ways.
Hardentools
A Windows utility that reduces attack surface by disabling risky features commonly abused by malware.
Microsoft Security Compliance Toolkit applies and compares official Windows security baselines through Group Policy, aimed at administrators rather than everyday hardening.
Similar software
Related functionality, not a direct replacement.
Purple Knight
A free Windows tool that assesses Active Directory, Entra ID and Okta for security weaknesses.
Maester
An open-source PowerShell test framework that checks a Microsoft 365 tenant's security configuration.
ScubaGear
A CISA PowerShell tool that assesses a Microsoft 365 tenant's configuration against the SCuBA security baselines.
NTLite
A Windows image customizer for removing components, integrating updates and drivers, and automating setup.
Specops Password Auditor
A free Windows tool that audits Active Directory passwords for weak, reused and compromised credentials.
Rudder
Open-source configuration management and compliance platform for Linux and Windows systems.
