Nessus vs Burp Suite: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Nessus and Burp Suite 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
Burp Suite
Web security testing toolkit for penetration testers
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.8/10 vs 8.4/10)
- • You need browser devtools features specifically
- • Burp Suite is the industry-standard tool for web application security testing
- • It provides automated scanning and manual testing tools for finding vulnerabilities
| At a Glance |  Nessus |  Burp Suite |
|---|---|---|
Price | Paid | Paid |
Best For | Vulnerability Scanning | Browser DevTools |
Rating | 84/100 | 88/100 |
| Feature | Nessus | Burp Suite |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| Editorial Score | 84 | 88 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Vulnerability ScanningSecurity Monitoring | Browser DevToolsBug Tracking |
How Nessus and Burp Suite Compare
Nessus
Vulnerability assessment scanner
Paid · 84/100 score
Burp Suite
Web security testing toolkit for penetration testers
Paid · 88/100 score
Nessus is a vulnerability scanning tool. Burp Suite is in browser devtools.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are paid. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Burp Suite
Want the highest-rated option?
Nessus: 84/100. Burp Suite: 88/100.
Go with: Burp Suite
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Burp Suite
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. Burp Suite is in browser devtools. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Burp Suite scores higher: 88/100 vs 84/100.
Key Takeaways
Burp Suite
- Higher score: 88/100 vs 84
- Our pick for this comparison
Nessus
- Better fit for vulnerability scanning
The Bottom Line
Burp Suite (88/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nessus or Burp Suite better?
Burp Suite scores 88/100 in our evaluation. Both are paid.
What are Nessus and Burp Suite used for?
Nessus: Vulnerability assessment scanner. Burp Suite: Web security testing toolkit for penetration testers.
What does Nessus cost vs Burp Suite?
Nessus is a paid tool. Burp Suite is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.