Nessus vs Aqua Security: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Nessus and Aqua Security comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Nessus
Vulnerability assessment scanner
Best for you if:
- • You need vulnerability scanning features specifically
- • Nessus is a vulnerability scanner for identifying security issues
- • It scans networks and systems for vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, and malware
Aqua Security
Cloud native security for containers and Kubernetes
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.6/10 vs 8.4/10)
- • You need container orchestration features specifically
- • Aqua Security is a cloud-native security platform protecting containerized applications
- • It secures the full container lifecycle from build to runtime with vulnerability scanning
| At a Glance |  Nessus |  Aqua Security |
|---|---|---|
Price | Paid | Paid |
Best For | Vulnerability Scanning | Container Orchestration |
Rating | 84/100 | 86/100 |
| Feature | Nessus | Aqua Security |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| Editorial Score | 84 | 86 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Vulnerability ScanningSecurity Monitoring | Container OrchestrationVulnerability Scanning |
How Nessus and Aqua Security Compare
Nessus
Vulnerability assessment scanner
Paid · 84/100 score
Aqua Security
Cloud native security for containers and Kubernetes
Paid · 86/100 score
Nessus is a vulnerability scanning tool. Aqua Security is in container orchestration.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are paid. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Aqua Security
Want the highest-rated option?
Nessus: 84/100. Aqua Security: 86/100.
Go with: Aqua Security
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Aqua Security
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are paid. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Nessus is a vulnerability scanning tool. Aqua Security is in container orchestration. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Aqua Security scores higher: 86/100 vs 84/100.
Key Takeaways
Aqua Security
- Higher score: 86/100 vs 84
- Our pick for this comparison
Nessus
- Better fit for vulnerability scanning
The Bottom Line
Aqua Security (86/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nessus or Aqua Security better?
Aqua Security scores 86/100 in our evaluation. Both are paid.
What are Nessus and Aqua Security used for?
Nessus: Vulnerability assessment scanner. Aqua Security: Cloud native security for containers and Kubernetes.
What does Nessus cost vs Aqua Security?
Nessus is a paid tool. Aqua Security is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.