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Reviews onG2Capterra
380 reviews tracked

The Bottom Line

Entry price

Paid plans only

Biggest pro

Industry standard scanner

Biggest con

Expensive

TL;DR - Nessus

  • Nessus is a vulnerability scanner for identifying security issues
  • It scans networks and systems for vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, and malware
  • Nessus Essentials free for 16 IPs, Pro at $3,990/year
Pricing: Paid only
Best for: Enterprises & pros
4.6/5 across review platforms

What is Nessus?

Editorial review
Nessus scans for vulnerabilities across networks and systems. The scanner security professionals have used for decades-vulnerability assessment that's proven. The scanning is comprehensive. The database is current. The trust is established. Security teams doing vulnerability assessment use Nessus for proven scanning.

Available on: Web

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Industry standard scanner
  • Good vulnerability detection
  • Comprehensive coverage
  • Good reporting
  • Active development

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Learning curve
  • Resource intensive
  • Per-asset pricing
  • Better alternatives exist

Ratings Across the Web

4.6(380 reviews)

Ratings aggregated from independent review platforms. Learn more

Key Features

Vulnerability scannerCompliance checksConfiguration auditMalware detectionReportsEnterprise

Pricing Plans

Free Trial

Pricing checked Jul 11, 2026

Essentials (Free)

Free

  • Up to 16 IP addresses
  • Same scanning engine
  • Plugin updates
  • Community support

Professional

$2,990/year

  • Unlimited assessments
  • Standard support
  • All vulnerability checks
  • Compliance auditing

Expert

$5,890/year

  • External attack surface scanning
  • Domain monitoring
  • IaC scanning
  • Cloud scanning

How Nessus's pricing compares

At $249.17/mo, Nessus is the most premium of its 2 direct competitors.

$0.46
Nessus
$249.17

Entry paid plan, monthly. Pricing checked Jul 11, 2026.

Reviews

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4.6/5

Across 380 verified user reviews on G2, Capterra

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Best Nessus Alternatives

Top alternatives based on features, pricing, and user needs.

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Nessus FAQ

How does Nessus assist security teams with vulnerability assessment?

Nessus provides proven and comprehensive scanning capabilities that security professionals have used for decades to identify vulnerabilities across networks and systems. It offers good vulnerability detection and comprehensive coverage to help teams maintain security.

What kind of user benefits most from Nessus?

Nessus is best suited for security teams actively engaged in vulnerability assessment who require an industry-standard scanner with good reporting. Its established trust and active development make it a reliable choice for dedicated security professionals.

How does Nessus compare to Burp Suite for vulnerability scanning?

Nessus is a comprehensive vulnerability assessment scanner known for its broad network and system scanning capabilities. In contrast, Burp Suite focuses more on web application security testing, offering different strengths in the vulnerability detection landscape.

What are the primary limitations of using Nessus?

Nessus can be expensive and has a learning curve for new users. It is also resource-intensive and uses a per-asset pricing model, which might be a consideration for some organizations.

How is Nessus priced?

Nessus is a paid product and does not include a permanently free tier. Its pricing model is based on a per-asset structure.

Can Nessus provide detailed reports on identified vulnerabilities?

Yes, Nessus is known for its good reporting capabilities, which help security teams understand and address the vulnerabilities detected during scans. This feature supports effective remediation efforts.

Source: tenable.com

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