The Bottom Line
- Price
- From $2,990/mo, free trial. Compare plans
Key facts
- 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
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
What is Nessus?
Available on: Web
Ratings Across the Web
Nessus holds an aggregate rating of 4.6 out of 5 from 402 reviews across G2 and Capterra, last checked September 17, 2026.
Ratings aggregated from independent review platforms. Learn more
Key Features
- Vulnerability scanner
- Compliance checks
- Configuration audit
- Malware detection
- Reports
- Enterprise
Pricing Plans
Free TrialPricing checked Oct 12, 2026
| Plan | Price | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Essentials (Free) | $0 |
+1 more Show less
|
| Professional | $2,990/year |
+1 more Show less
|
| Expert | $5,890/year |
+1 more Show less
|
Is Nessus worth the price?
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.
The Expert tier at $5890/year adds significant value with advanced cloud and IaC scanning. It's best for organizations prioritizing comprehensive, enterprise-grade vulnerability management.
How Nessus's pricing compares
At $249.17/mo, billing unit not specified, Nessus is the most premium of its 2 comparable direct competitors.
Entry paid plan, monthly. Pricing checked Oct 12, 2026.
Reviews
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Across 402 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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Still deciding?
Most buyers shortlist 2 or 3 tools before committing. Pull a side-by-side comparison or browse the full alternatives shortlist below.
Explore More
Nessus FAQ
How does Nessus assist security teams with vulnerability assessment?
What kind of user benefits most from Nessus?
How does Nessus compare to Burp Suite for vulnerability scanning?
What are the primary limitations of using Nessus?
How is Nessus priced?
Can Nessus provide detailed reports on identified vulnerabilities?
Source: tenable.com