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Tenable Nessus
What Tenable Nessus is
Tenable Nessus is paid, on-premises vulnerability-scanning software for examining IP addresses, operating systems, network devices, databases, applications, and SCADA systems. It supports authenticated scanning and continuous scanning, with compliance coverage for CIS Benchmarks, DISA STIG, and PCI DSS. Nessus runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows. The Professional plan costs $4,790 a year for a one-year license and includes unlimited IPs. The Expert plan costs $6,790 a year for a one-year license and includes unlimited IPs, five web applications per rolling 90-day period, and five domains per rolling 90-day period. There is no free plan. Tenable was founded in 2002 and is headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, United States. The listed deployment model is on-premises, so organizations can assess whether its target coverage, scanning modes, compliance frameworks, operating systems, and plan allowances match their requirements.
Who it suits
Nessus suits organizations scanning the listed infrastructure and software targets, especially those needing authenticated or continuous scans and the listed compliance frameworks. It is intended for buyers able to use paid, on-premises software.
What it does well
- Scans IPs, systems, devices, databases, applications, and SCADA
- Supports authenticated and continuous scanning
- Includes CIS, DISA STIG, and PCI DSS coverage
- Runs on Linux, macOS, and Windows
What to know first
- No free plan
- Professional plan starts at $4,790 per year
- Expert limits web apps and domains per rolling period
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Nessus Professional | 1 Year license · Unlimited IPs | $4,790 a year |
| Nessus Professional | 2 Years license · Unlimited IPs | On request |
| Nessus Expert | 1 Year license · Unlimited IPs · 5 web applications per rolling 90-day period · 5 domains per rolling 90-day period | $6,790 a year |
| Nessus Expert | 2 Years license · Unlimited IPs · 5 web applications per rolling 90-day period · 5 domains per rolling 90-day period | On request |
As tenable.com lists them, read 20 Sept 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
Nessus combines broad target coverage with authenticated, continuous, and compliance-focused scanning. Compare the two paid plans if web application and domain allowances matter.
Facts from Tenable Nessus's own pages
- Founded
- 2002 · tenable.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Headquarters
- Columbia, Maryland, United States · tenable.com, 4 Oct 2026
Where Tenable Nessus stands on Freedom251
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