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Best Vulnerability Scanning Software in 2026

Vulnerability scanning software is used to examine systems and other supported targets for potential weaknesses. Compare supported targets and asset limits, then consider authenticated and continuous scanning to understand the stated scope and approach. Intruder, ManageEngine Vulnerability Manager Plus, and Nmap are among the entries to weigh against your requirements. Compliance frameworks and deployment model provide further comparison points, while free-plan availability and paid-from pricing help frame access and cost. The listed criteria can help you assess how each option aligns with the assets and scanning workflow you need.

  1. 1

    NSAuditor AI

    Free plan Open source APILinuxMac+2

    NSAuditor AI combines read-only, agentless auditing with optional AI analysis and edition-dependent reporting. Community is free; cloud auditors and eight-framework mapping are Enterprise features.

    9.0 Free plan · paid from $470/yr Visit site
  2. 2

    Intruder

    Free plan APILinuxMac+2

    Intruder combines continuous scanning with prioritization and remediation guidance across several kinds of targets.

    7.6 Free plan · 14-day trial Visit site
  3. 3

    ManageEngine Vulnerability Manager Plus

    Free plan APILinuxMac+3

    Vulnerability Manager Plus combines risk prioritization with patching, compliance policies, and remediation tracking.

    7.6 Free plan · paid from $695/yr · 30-day trial Visit site
  4. 4

    Nmap

    Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted+1

    Nmap combines discovery and scanning functions with scripting and companion tools. It is free for end users, while commercial redistribution requires separate OEM licensing.

    7.4 Free plan Visit site
  5. 5

    NSAuditor AI

    Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted+1

    NSAuditor AI combines on-premises scanning with a free Community tier and optional AI analysis.

    7.4 Free plan Visit site
  6. 6

    Nuclei

    Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted+1

    Nuclei offers a template-based approach to scanning across several target types, with custom checks and CI/CD integration.

    7.4 Free plan Visit site
  7. 7

    Nikto

    Free plan LinuxSelf-hostedWindows

    Nikto combines broad server checks with configurable scans, authentication support, and several reporting options. Note the separate restrictions on its database files when considering commercial use.

    7.3 Open source Visit site
  8. 8

    OpenVAS

    Free plan APILinuxMac+3

    OpenVAS covers a broad range of IT targets, with commercial deployment options that remain within a customer's environment. Its free edition has notable update, feature, and support limitations.

    7.3 Free plan · 14-day trial Visit site
  9. 9

    OWASP Nettacker

    Free plan APILinuxMac+3

    Nettacker offers several interfaces, installation paths, and report formats for authorized security assessments.

    7.3 Open source Visit site
  10. 10

    Sirius

    Free plan APILinuxMac+3

    Sirius brings scanning, triage, and operational dashboards into a self-hosted package. Check its Docker and host requirements and secure exposed services according to the maker's guidance.

    7.2 Free plan Visit site
  11. 11

    ShadowSecurityScanner

    Free plan LinuxMacWindows

    ShadowSecurityScanner combines broad network and web checks with scan comparisons, risk scoring, and multiple report formats.

    7.0 Free plan Visit site
  12. 12

    WPScan

    Free plan APILinuxMac+1

    Choose WPScan to check WordPress installations and related targets for known vulnerabilities, with a free CLI for non-commercial use.

    6.9 Visit site
  13. 13

    Sploit.io

    Free plan Web

    Choose Sploit.io for free, web-based browser vulnerability checks and its range of custom tests. Look elsewhere if you need mobile support or require results without the stated accuracy caveat.

    6.7 Free plan Visit site
  14. 14

    Vornin

    Free plan APIWeb

    Choose Vornin if your team wants scanning, prioritisation, remediation tracking, and compliance evidence connected to findings.

    6.7 Free plan · paid from €99/mo · 14-day trial Visit site
  15. 15

    Holm Security Vulnerability Management

    Free trial APILinuxSelf-hosted+2

    Holm Security VMP combines broad asset coverage, scanning methods, attack surface discovery, and remediation prioritization.

    6.6 Pricing on request Visit site
  16. 16

    Wordfence Security

    Free plan Self-hostedWeb

    Wordfence combines site scanning, endpoint firewall protection, login controls, and multi-site management.

    6.6 Free plan Visit site
  17. 17

    Microsoft Defender for Business

    by Microsoft Defender for Business
    Free trial AndroidAPIiPhone+2
    6.4 From $3/user/mo (annual) · 30-day trial Visit site
  18. 18

    Amazon Inspector

    Free trial APIWeb

    Amazon Inspector brings workload, container, serverless, repository, and supported Azure scanning into a cloud service with risk prioritization and AWS integrations.

    6.3 15-day trial Visit site
  19. 19

    ConnectSecure

    Free trial APIWeb

    ConnectSecure covers discovery, scanning, prioritization, remediation, reporting, compliance, and integrations in one platform. Its paid, usage-based pricing and MSP focus should guide evaluation.

    6.3 From $300/mo · 14-day trial Visit site
  20. 20

    Pentest-Tools Network Vulnerability Scanner

    Free plan Web
    5.9 Free plan · paid from $95/mo · 7-day trial Visit site
  21. 21

    VAddy

    Free trial APILinuxMac+2

    VAddy combines automated application scanning with CI integrations, authenticated targets, and API coverage.

    5.9 7-day trial Visit site
  22. 22

    Vicarius vRx

    Free trial APILinuxMac+2

    vRx brings discovery, prioritization, patching, protection and scripting into one vulnerability workflow. A free trial is listed for Basic and Essential, while ongoing use is paid per asset or scope.

    5.9 Pricing on request Visit site
  23. 23

    N-able Risk Intelligence

    Paid LinuxMacWeb+1

    Choose N-able Risk Intelligence if you need cloud-based, continuous scanning across varied devices and systems.

    5.0 Pricing on request Visit site
  24. 24

    XBOW

    Paid APIWeb

    Choose XBOW for ongoing, authenticated testing of interactive web applications and APIs, especially when validated evidence and reviewable activity matter.

    5.0 Pricing on request Visit site
  25. 25

    Rapid7 InsightVM

    Paid LinuxMacWeb+1

    InsightVM combines multiple assessment methods with advanced risk prioritization and remediation tracking. Consider the 500-asset pricing basis and listed plan terms when assessing fit.

    4.9 From $1.62/mo Visit site

#1Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this list can be bought by the makers of the software on it. See the price

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