Tenable Nessus
Tenable Nessus: A capable network scanner with broad assessment coverage, but a high annual starting price. Ranked #16 of 34 in Vulnerability Scanning Software by our editors (7.5/10); pricing: Paid; best for traditional network vulnerability assessments.
At a glance
- Editor score7.5 / 10
- PricingPaid
- Best forTraditional network vulnerability assessments
- Free planNo
- Paid from$4,790/yr
- Deployment modelOn_premises
- Founded2002 · Columbia, Maryland, United States
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Credentialed scanning covers IP assets, systems, devices, and applications.
- CVSS, EPSS, and VPR scores support vulnerability prioritization.
- Configurable PDF, HTML, and CSV reports support compliance workflows.
Where it doesn't
- Nessus Professional starts at $4,790 per year.
- There is no permanent free plan for ongoing use.
- The on-premises model may not suit cloud-only security teams.
Our verdict on Tenable Nessus
Tenable Nessus is on-premises vulnerability assessment software for security teams, consultants, penetration testers, small businesses, and larger organizations. It scans IP addresses, operating systems, network devices, databases, applications, and SCADA systems for vulnerabilities, missing patches, configuration issues, and compliance findings. Credentialed scanning, scheduled recurring scans, preconfigured templates, and offline assessment features make it a focused option for traditional network and infrastructure assessments. Nessus runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Pricing is concentrated in two paid editions. Nessus Professional costs $4,790 per year and includes unlimited IP vulnerability scanning, real-time plugin updates, configurable PDF, HTML, and CSV reporting, compliance checks, configuration auditing, and Live Results. Nessus Expert costs $6,790 per year and adds web application scanning, external attack surface discovery, and Infrastructure as Code scanning while retaining unlimited IP scanning and the compliance and configuration capabilities. Essentials is described as free but time-limited, so buyers should distinguish it from a permanent free plan.
Nessus is strongest when the priority is structured network vulnerability assessment with authenticated access, recurring scans, compliance audits, and multiple scoring methods. Support for CIS Benchmarks, DISA STIG, and PCI DSS adds a practical compliance dimension, while plugin-based detection and Live Results support ongoing assessment workflows. The trade-off is scope and deployment approach: the product is installed software rather than a cloud-only service, and its integration breadth is limited. Choose Nessus Professional for established IT environments centered on IP-based scanning; choose Nessus Expert when web applications, external attack surfaces, or Infrastructure as Code are also in scope. Teams seeking a broader ecosystem fit or lower entry cost should consider alternatives.
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Tenable Nessus pricing
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Tenable Nessus fact sheet
| Free plan | No |
|---|---|
| Paid from | $4,790/yr |
| Deployment model | On_premises |
| Supported targets | IP addresses, operating systems, network devices, databases, applications, SCADA systems |
| Authenticated scanning | Yes |
| Continuous scanning | Yes |
| Asset limit | Not verified |
| Compliance frameworks | CIS Benchmarks, DISA STIG, PCI DSS |
| Deployment | Self-hosted, Desktop |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| Compliance & security | PCI DSS |
| Support | Phone, Email, Live chat, Community, Docs · 24/7 |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Paid (source) |
| Website | tenable.com |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to Tenable Nessus
- VorninBroad cloud vulnerability coverage with a free tier for up to five assets.9.4
- IntruderBroad vulnerability coverage with a free tier and expansion paths for larger environments.9.3
- OpenVASA broad open-source scanner with authenticated testing, continuous scans and compliance features.9.0
See all Tenable Nessus alternatives →
Also Ranked In
Tenable Nessus is ranked in 4 of our directories.
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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