OpenVAS vs Tenable Security Center

OpenVAS9.0Visit Tenable Security Center8.4Visit

Higher score OpenVAS #3 in Vulnerability Scanning Software 9.0/10 Free plan · 14-day trial Free planFree trial✓ 2 of 2 features Visit OpenVAS

vs

Tenable Security Center #8 in Vulnerability Scanning Software 8.4/10 Pricing on request ✓ 1 of 2 features Visit Tenable

• OpenVAS fits best

  Teams wanting open-source network coverage

• Tenable Security Center fits best

  On-premises enterprises needing centralized control

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Side by side

Feature	OpenVAS 9.0/10 Visit ↗	Tenable Security Center 8.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.0	8.4
Ranking	#3 in Vulnerability Scanning Software	#8 in Vulnerability Scanning Software
Best for	Teams wanting open-source network coverage	On-premises enterprises needing centralized control
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Paid
Starting price	—	Pricing on request
Free plan	✓ (best)	—
Free trial	14 days	—
Deployment	Self-hosted	Cloud, Desktop
Platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux	Web, Linux
Integrations	5 integrations	10 integrations
Features OpenVAS 2/2 · Tenable Security Center 1/2
Authenticated scanning	✓	✓
Continuous scanning	✓ (best)	Not checked yet
Specs
Deployment model	On_premises	Not checked yet
Supported targets	network services, servers, applications, endpoints, container images	Not checked yet
Asset limit	150 assets	Not checked yet
Compliance frameworks	CIS Benchmarks, IT-Grundschutz	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Authenticated and unauthenticated scans across networks, servers and applications Continuous scanning, daily feed updates, agents and container image scanning Free asset limit of 150 with scheduling, reports, APIs and distributed scanning	Combines authenticated, agent-based, passive, and active assessment Adds advanced risk scoring, prioritization, and remediation tracking Connects with Nessus, SIEM, SOAR, CMDB, ticketing, and API workflows
Cons	OPENVAS FREE is for private use and non-professional IT infrastructures OPENVAS BASIC is intended for networks with fewer than 150 assets OPENVAS SCAN uses quote-based pricing	Pricing requires a sales conversation On-premises deployment requires local infrastructure and administration Web application scanning is an integration or add-on capability
Our verdict	OpenVAS is an open-source vulnerability scanner developed and maintained by Greenbone AG. It supports unauthenticated and authenticated testing across network services, servers, applications, endpoints and container images. The product… Read the review →	Tenable Security Center is an on-premises vulnerability management platform for enterprises that need centralized oversight of cyber exposures. It discovers and assesses assets through active scanning with Nessus scanners, authenticated… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• OpenVAS — where it wins

  • Authenticated and unauthenticated scans across networks, servers and applications
  • Continuous scanning, daily feed updates, agents and container image scanning
  • Free asset limit of 150 with scheduling, reports, APIs and distributed scanning

  Where it doesn't

  • OPENVAS FREE is for private use and non-professional IT infrastructures
  • OPENVAS BASIC is intended for networks with fewer than 150 assets
  • OPENVAS SCAN uses quote-based pricing

• Tenable Security Center — where it wins

  • Combines authenticated, agent-based, passive, and active assessment
  • Adds advanced risk scoring, prioritization, and remediation tracking
  • Connects with Nessus, SIEM, SOAR, CMDB, ticketing, and API workflows

  Where it doesn't

  • Pricing requires a sales conversation
  • On-premises deployment requires local infrastructure and administration
  • Web application scanning is an integration or add-on capability

• OpenVAS9.0/10 · Free plan · 14-day trial

  A broad open-source scanner with authenticated testing, continuous scans and compliance features.

  Visit OpenVASFull verdict →
• Tenable Security Center8.4/10 · Pricing on request

  A centralized, on-premises platform for broad assessment, prioritization, and remediation tracking.

  Visit TenableFull verdict →