Top 5 Alternatives to Tenable Nessus in 2024 with 700+ Reviews

Vulnerability scanning is essential to a cybersecurity plan, enabling companies to detect, evaluate, and address weaknesses in their network infrastructure. Businesses share that:¹

• 42% experiencing external attacks linked these breaches to software security flaws
• 35% traced the issue back to faults in web applications.

If you’re exploring alternatives to Tenable Nessus, several notable options are available in the DAST and vulnerability scanning tools market. Each offers unique features and may better align with specific organizational needs, whether you prioritize scalability, integration capabilities, or specific security features. This article covers some of the leading alternatives to Tenable Nessus.

Top Alternatives to Tenable Nessus

Comparison of Differentiating Features

All of the selected vendors have the following core features:

On-Prem Deployment

On-prem deployment is pivotal for vulnerability scanning tools, providing superior security, control, and privacy crucial for effectively pinpointing and managing vulnerabilities within an organization’s network. Hosting these tools internally prevents sensitive data from being transmitted externally, thus mitigating the risk of data breaches. On-prem solutions also facilitate deeper integration with the company’s own systems and allow for customization to meet specific security needs, enabling a comprehensive and tailored approach to identify potential vulnerabilities that could be exploited by attackers.

Zero-Day Vulnerability Database

A fundamental component of vulnerability scanning tools is the database of known vulnerabilities, which needs to be expansive and frequently updated to encompass the latest discoveries across different systems, applications, and networks. The inclusion of a zero-day vulnerability database is vital, enhancing the tool’s capability to detect and guard against new, unknown threats promptly. These tools depend on comprehensive, current databases to pinpoint system vulnerabilities efficiently.

SQL Injection Detection

Tools equipped with SQL injection detection capabilities are crucial as they can spot vulnerabilities in web applications where SQL injections might occur. This enables developers and security teams to address these vulnerabilities proactively before they are exploited.

Automated Scanning and Scheduling

Vulnerability scanning tools typically feature automated scanning, which includes dynamic application security testing. They also allow for the scheduling of scans during off-peak hours to reduce the impact on system performance. This automation ensures that vulnerabilities are consistently monitored without the need for constant manual oversight, maintaining a steady security posture.

Risk-Based Prioritization

These tools are designed to evaluate and prioritize vulnerabilities based on the potential impact and the likelihood of exploitation. This prioritization helps organizations concentrate their efforts on addressing the most severe vulnerabilities first, optimizing the use of resources to mitigate the most significant threats.

Reporting and Remediation Guidance

Vulnerability scanning tools generally offer detailed reports that identify vulnerabilities, describe their characteristics and potential impacts, and provide recommendations for remediation. These reports are designed to be clear and actionable, assisting IT and security teams to understand the risks and implement effective mitigations.

Vendor selection criteria

• Employee Count: Understanding the connection between a company’s revenue and the size of its staff, we focused on companies employing more than 100 people.
• Reviews on B2B Platforms: We preferred solutions that received reviews from at least 50 users on B2B review platforms such as G2 and Capterra, as this demonstrates a significant market presence validated by real user feedback.
• Average rating: The selected software should have an average rating of above 4/5 across all software review platforms.
• Price: The software products we selected vary in their pricing, and the publicly available prices for these products have been included in the table. This allows potential users to compare the products based on price and the factors that influence their pricing.

Overview of Tenable Nessus

Company Information

Tenable Network Security, headquartered in Columbia, Maryland, was founded in 2002. The company specializes in providing cybersecurity solutions, including vulnerability assessment, and has expanded its presence globally with additional offices in Ireland, France, the United Kingdom, Singapore, and Japan. 

Ownership and Financial Track

Initially, Tenable was a privately held company supported by venture capital investments from firms such as Accel Partners and The Carlyle Group. In July 2018, Tenable transitioned to a public company through an initial public offering (IPO), and it is now listed on the NASDAQ under the ticker symbol TENB. The move to go public was part of Tenable’s strategy to expand its market presence and access greater financial resources. 

Top Alternatives

1. Invicti 

Invicti’s Dynamic Application Security Testing (DAST) tool is tailored to enhance enterprise-level web application security. It focuses on automating security tasks within the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), including identifying critical vulnerabilities and integrating solutions for their remediation.

The tool is designed to give a comprehensive overview of application security. It utilizes both dynamic and interactive scanning methods (DAST + IAST) to detect vulnerabilities that might be missed by other tools. Invicti is committed to scalability, allowing teams to effectively manage risks in complex infrastructures and integrate the tool into existing systems and workflows to improve productivity and security.

Invicti’s DAST solution can be deployed on-prem, in public or private clouds, or in hybrid environments. It also offers a Web Application Firewall and OAuth 2.0 integration, enhancing its protective capabilities.

2. PortSwigger Burp Suite

PortSwigger’s Burp Suite is a security testing tool designed for web applications, emphasizing both automated and manual DAST. It combines these approaches and extends its capabilities by including Out-of-band Application Security Testing (OAST) to improve the detection of certain types of vulnerabilities. Burp Suite is available in various editions—Professional, Enterprise, and Community—each crafted to meet the distinct demands and operational scales of different users.

PortSwigger is popular among professionals aiming to advance their penetration testing skills. As it is generally focused on aiding professional testers. Thus, the user interface of Burp Suite can be challenging for those without technical expertise, which may steepen the learning curve for new users.

3. InsightVM by Rapid7

InsightVM by Rapid7 is a vulnerability management tool designed to identify risks across IT environments. It utilizes Rapid7’s vulnerability research, insights into global attacker behavior, and data from internet-wide scanning. The platform also integrates with Rapid7’s Metasploit to validate potential exploits, enhancing its effectiveness in risk detection. InsightVM includes features like live monitoring and the ability to assess assets across cloud, virtual, and container environments, which makes it adaptable to various dynamic IT infrastructures.

4. AlienVault  AT&T Cybersecurity

AlienVault’s Unified Security Management (USM) platform combines multiple security capabilities, including asset discovery, vulnerability assessment, intrusion detection, behavioral monitoring, and SIEM. It provides built-in threat intelligence from AT&T Alien Labs that helps organizations stay updated with the latest threat data and respond effectively. The Open Threat Exchange (OTX) community contributes to the enrichment of threat data, enhancing the overall threat detection capabilities. 

5.SonarQube

SonarQube is an open-source platform designed to continuously inspect code quality. It automates code reviews using static analysis to identify bugs, code smells, and security vulnerabilities across more than 20 programming languages. SonarQube also offers various paid versions that include additional features. The platform integrates with existing workflows, providing detailed reports on application health and making suggestions to improve code quality, enhance maintainability, and bolster application security.

What are the differentiating features, and why are they important?

WAF Integration

Integrating Web Application Firewalls (WAF) with vulnerability scanning tools offers significant benefits by merging immediate threat response with in-depth vulnerability assessments, fostering both preventive and responsive security measures. This collaboration leads to the automatic refinement of security protocols when vulnerabilities are detected, bolstering defenses against complex attacks. It provides dual advantages: immediate protection against present threats and the remediation of foundational weaknesses, thus elevating the overall security stance and adherence to regulatory norms. The dynamic interaction between WAF and vulnerability scanning tools establishes an adaptable, evolving defense essential for securing web applications against emerging threats.

OAuth 2.0 Integration

The integration of OAuth 2.0 with vulnerability scanning tools is crucial as it enables secure, standardized access to external platforms without revealing user credentials. With OAuth 2.0 support, these tools can securely connect with various services and APIs, ensuring thorough scans and accurate evaluations of web applications. This compliance with security protocols helps prevent the risks associated with credential exposure, enhancing overall security infrastructure.

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External Links

• 1. “State of Application Security” Forrester