Nessus vs Wazuh: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Nessus and Wazuh side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Nessus
Vulnerability assessment scanner
Best for you if:
- • You want industry standard scanner
Wazuh
Open-source security monitoring
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (Nessus requires payment)
| At a Glance | Nessus | |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free plan, paid from $2,990/year Professional plan | Free 100% free |
Category | Security Vulnerability Scanning | Vulnerability Scanning Security Monitoring |
Rating | 4.6/5 G2 4.5 · Capterra 4.7 402 reviews | 4.5/5 G2 4.5 71 reviews |
Free plan | No | Yes |
Choose Nessus or Wazuh?
Choose Nessus if
- You want industry standard scanner
- You want good vulnerability detection
- You work in security, not vulnerability scanning
Choose Wazuh if
- You want a fully free tool (Nessus requires payment)
- You want open source SIEM
- You want good features
- You work in vulnerability scanning, not security
In-Depth Analysis
Nessus
Vulnerability assessment scanner
Nessus offers a fair entry point with its free tier, but the Professional tier at $2990/year is quite expensive for basic vulnerability scanning compared to some market alternatives.
Strengths
- Pro: Industry standard scanner
- Pro: Good vulnerability detection
- Pro: Comprehensive coverage
- Pro: Good reporting
- Pro: Active development
Weaknesses
- Con: Expensive
- Con: Learning curve
- Con: Resource intensive
- Con: Per-asset pricing
- Con: Better alternatives exist
Key features
Wazuh
Open-source security monitoring
Wazuh's pricing is exceptionally generous, offering a full-featured open-source SIEM/XDR solution for $0.
Strengths
- Pro: Open source SIEM
- Pro: Good features
- Pro: Self-hostable
- Pro: Active development
- Pro: Free
Weaknesses
- Con: Complex setup
- Con: Learning curve
- Con: Resource intensive
- Con: Documentation gaps
- Con: Enterprise features paid
Key features
Plans and prices: Nessus vs Wazuh
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Nessus |
| tenable.com/products/nessus read Oct 24, 2026 |
| Wazuh |
| wazuh.com read Oct 8, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Nessus pricing and Wazuh pricing.
Key Takeaways
Nessus
- Choose if you want vulnerability assessment scanner
Wazuh
- Choose if you want open-source security monitoring
What the data shows
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair.
- User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.6/5 from 402 reviews for Nessus, 4.5/5 from 71 reviews for Wazuh).
- Nessus starts at $2,990/year; Wazuh has no public paid plan price on file.
- Both have a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Nessus and Wazuh compare in 2026?
On the data below the two are close or not directly comparable, so we do not name a winner for this pair. User ratings are within 0.2 points (4.6/5 from 402 reviews for Nessus, 4.5/5 from 71 reviews for Wazuh). Nessus starts at $2,990/year; Wazuh has no public paid plan price on file. Both have a free plan.
What are Nessus and Wazuh used for?
Nessus: Vulnerability assessment scanner. Wazuh: Open-source security monitoring.
What does Nessus cost vs Wazuh?
Nessus's cheapest paid plan is Professional at $2,990/year. Wazuh is free. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 24, 2026.
What's the main difference between Nessus and Wazuh?
Nessus's main strength: industry standard scanner. Wazuh's main strength: open source SIEM.