Checkmarx vs Nessus Comparison
Checkmarx
Starting at Custom paid
- Mid-Market
- Enterprise
Checkmarx is an enterprise application security platform providing SAST, SCA, API security, and AI-assisted security testing in a unified solution. Founded in 2006, Checkmarx is one of the most established names in appli…
Nessus
Starting at $2,790 /Year
- Free Trial
- Large Enterprises
- Medium Business
Nessus is a vulnerability scanner of its kind, giving user a complete picture of organization's security status. Instantly scan thousands of systems for the latest vulnerabilities and react to them in real time. Nessus m…
Nessus leads on user satisfaction with a 4.4-star rating across 580 reviews.
Checkmarx vs Nessus — at a glance
| Feature | Checkmarx | Nessus |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.3 / 5 | 4.4 / 5 |
| Reviews | 680 | 580 |
| Starting price | Custom paid | $2,790 /Year |
| Free trial | No | Yes |
| Free version | No | No |
| Best for | Mid-Market, Enterprise | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business |
| Category | Vulnerability Management Software | Vulnerability Management Software |
| Platforms | Cloud, On-Premise | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac |
| API | Available | — |
| Support modes | Dedicated CSM, Phone Support, Email Support, Professional Services, SLA | 24/7 (Live rep), Online |
| Data residency | — | US |
Key differences between Checkmarx and Nessus
- Pricing: Checkmarx starts at Custom paid, while Nessus starts at $2,790 /Year.
- Free trial: Nessus offers a free trial; Checkmarx does not.
- Target audience: Checkmarx is built for Mid-Market and Enterprise, while Nessus targets Large Enterprises and Medium Business.
- User satisfaction: Nessus scores higher with a 4.4-star average.
- Deployment: Checkmarx supports Cloud, On-Premise; Nessus supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac.
Checkmarx vs Nessus — find the better fit before you commit.
Which tool fits your team best
Which is actually cheaper for your team size
Where each product wins, per real buyers
Most Vulnerability Management Software tools look identical on paper. This comparison cuts to the differences that matter — pricing structure, team fit, and what real buyers found after signing up.
Biggest differences
Features
Pricing
Buying details
Security
Buyer feedback
Integrations
Product tour
Other options
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Biggest differences
Start here before you go deeper into features.
Mid-Market, Enterprise
Best for comprehensive, flexible vulnerability scanning across diverse IT environments.
- You need accurate, up-to-date vulnerability detection with automated scanning and reporting.
- Your team values a user-friendly interface that supports both agent-based and credentialed scans.
- You require scalable vulnerability management with flexible licensing for any organization size.
- You need extensive third-party integrations beyond core vulnerability scanning capabilities.
- Your workflows demand highly customizable reporting without complex setup or cumbersome configuration.
Checkmarx typically suits Mid-Market and Enterprise. Nessus tends to fit Large Enterprises and Medium Business better. The right choice depends on your team size, workflow, and whether a free trial matters.
Description | Checkmarx is an enterprise application security platform providing SAST, SCA, API security, and AI-assisted security testing in a unified solution. Founded in 2006, Checkmarx is one of the ... Read More about Checkmarx | Nessus is a vulnerability scanner of its kind, giving user a complete picture of organization's security status. Instantly scan thousands of systems for the latest vulnerabilities and react ... Read More about Nessus |
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Entry Level Pricing |
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Free Trial Availability |
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SpotScoreWhat's this? ↗ | 8.6/10 | Not Available |
User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | ||
Best Company Size | — | Small BusinessLarge Enterprises |
Get pricing help | Get pricing help |
Where each option fits best
See where each product is strongest, which teams it fits, and what causes buyers to keep looking — before you commit.
Based on buyer reviews and verified product data collected by Spotsaas.
Key strengths
- Catch What Simpler Tools Miss: Semantic dataflow analysis traces vulnerability paths across function boundaries and files — finding SQL injection where the source is three layers up from the sink.
- One Platform, All AppSec: Consolidate SAST, SCA, API, IaC, secrets, and AI security into one tool rather than managing six separate vendors and dashboards.
- Audit-Ready Compliance Reports: Pre-built PCI-DSS, HIPAA, and SOC2 reports give security teams audit evidence without manual evidence compilation.
No key benefits available yet.
Best fit
- Enterprise software companies running comprehensive SAST on large codebases where false negative rate matters more than scan speed
- Regulated industries (finance, healthcare) needing pre-built compliance reporting alongside security scanning
- Security teams consolidating fragmented AppSec tooling (separate SAST, SCA, API tools) into a single vendor platform
No best-fit guidance available yet.
Software Demo
Demo |
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How do Checkmarx and Nessus Compare on Features?
Total Features | 8 Features | 6 Features |
|---|---|---|
Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare Checkmarx and Nessus on pricing
Review starting price, plan structure, and free-trial access side by side so you can see which option fits your budget and buying process.
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Pricing Page | Pricing information not available |  |
Other Details
Organization Types supported |
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API Support |
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Get help choosing | Get help choosing |
Security & Compliance
Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.
Data Residency | — | 🇺🇸 US |
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Checkmarx User Reviews & Rating Comparison
User Ratings | 4.3 (based on 680 reviews) | |
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Rating Distribution | ||
Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI | Buyer sentiment Buyer sentiment is positive across 680 reviews, with strong overall satisfaction. What buyers like
Common complaints
| Buyer sentiment Overall positive sentiment highlights Nessus’s strong vulnerability detection and user-friendly interface, tempered by occasional scan inconsistencies and limited marketplace options. What buyers like
Common complaints
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Pros and Cons |
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Positive Reviews | No reviews available for the product | No reviews available for the product |
List of Customers
Customers | No Customers information available. |  VMware  DocuSign  American Eagle Outfitters |
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Media and Screenshots
Screenshots | No screenshots available. |  5 Screenshots |
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Videos | No videos available. |  3 Videos |
Top Alternatives to Checkmarx and Nessus in 2026
Alternatives | No Alternative products available. |
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Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].
Frequently asked questions
- Which is better, Checkmarx or Nessus?
- Nessus edges out the other on user ratings (4.4 vs 4.3). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
- Do Checkmarx and Nessus offer a free trial?
- Nessus offers a free trial. Checkmarx does not.
- What is the starting price of Checkmarx vs Nessus?
- Checkmarx starts at Custom paid. Nessus starts at $2,790 /Year.
- What are the top alternatives to Nessus?
- Top alternatives to Nessus include Tenable.io, BeyondTrust Vulnerability Management, Qualys VM, Microsoft Threat Vulnerability Management, Flexera Software Vulnerability Management.