NEWJoin 2M+ software buyers|Get Weekly Insights, Trends & Expert PicksSubscribe free →

Spotsaas logo

Nessus vs Kenna Security Comparison

Last updated:

Nessus

4.4(580 reviews)

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…

Kenna Security

4.3(265 reviews)

Starting at Contact for pricing

  • Large Enterprises
  • Medium Business

Kenna Security is enterprise-grade vulnerability management software that turns vulnerability scanning into a streamlined set of processes. Scan complex networks of all sizes across all levels of the internet using an in…

Nessus leads on user satisfaction with a 4.4-star rating across 580 reviews.

Spotsaas Analysis

NessusKenna Security

The core difference between Nessus and Kenna Security lies in Nessus's focus on flexible vulnerability scanning for diverse IT environments, while Kenna Security emphasizes enterprise-level vulnerability management with robust risk prioritization. Nessus is ideal for organizations of all sizes seeking accurate vulnerability detection, whereas Kenna Security is best suited for medium to large enterprises, particularly in sectors like cybersecurity and healthcare, looking for comprehensive risk management.

- Comprehensive and flexible vulnerability scanning - Suitable for small businesses and large enterprises - Automated scanning and reporting features - User-friendly interface supporting agent-based and credentialed scans - Priced at $2,790 - Focus on accurate, up-to-date vulnerability detection

- Enterprise-level vulnerability management - Strong risk prioritization capabilities - Ideal for medium to large enterprises (100-5,000 employees) - Supports various sectors including healthcare and finance - User-friendly interface for diverse expertise levels - Price not listed

Nessus vs Kenna Security — at a glance

FeatureNessusKenna Security
Rating4.4 / 54.3 / 5
Reviews580265
Starting price$2,790 /YearContact for pricing
Free trial Yes No
Free version No No
Best forLarge Enterprises, Medium Business, Small BusinessLarge Enterprises, Medium Business
CategoryVulnerability Management SoftwareVulnerability Management Software
PlatformsSaaS/Web/Cloud, Installed - Windows, Installed - MacSaaS/Web/Cloud
APIAvailable
Support modes24/7 (Live rep), OnlineOnline
CertificationsSOC 2, GDPR, ISO 27001
Data residencyUSGlobal

Key differences between Nessus and Kenna Security

  • Pricing: Nessus starts at $2,790 /Year. Kenna Security pricing is not publicly listed.
  • Free trial: Nessus offers a free trial; Kenna Security does not.
  • User satisfaction: Nessus scores higher with a 4.4-star average.
  • Deployment: Nessus supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac; Kenna Security supports SaaS/Web/Cloud.

Nessus vs Kenna Security — find the better fit before you commit.

01

Which tool fits your team best

02

Which is actually cheaper for your team size

03

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.

Nessus - Vulnerability Management Software
Talk to an expert
Talk to an expert
Kenna Security - Vulnerability Management Software
Talk to an expert
Talk to an expert

Free PDF comparison

Download this Nessus vs Kenna Security comparison

Get the full side-by-side as a PDF — these picks plus the top Vulnerability Management Software tools, with verified ratings, pricing and features.

  • Side-by-side on pricing, features & ratings
  • Plus the category top 10, scored & ranked
  • Emailed to you — no on-screen download

No file downloads on screen — we email it to you. One-click unsubscribe anytime.

Biggest differences

Start here before you go deeper into features.

Nessus

Best for comprehensive, flexible vulnerability scanning across diverse IT environments.

Choose if
  • 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.
Consider alternatives if
  • You need extensive third-party integrations beyond core vulnerability scanning capabilities.
  • Your workflows demand highly customizable reporting without complex setup or cumbersome configuration.

Kenna Security

Best for enterprise vulnerability management with strong risk prioritization and integrations.

Choose if
  • You need comprehensive visibility and prioritization of vulnerabilities across complex, large networks.
  • Your team values a user-friendly interface that supports varying expertise levels.
  • You require automation of scans, notifications, and risk scoring to streamline workflows.
Consider alternatives if
  • You are a small business with limited budget constraints.
  • You need highly customizable reporting and dashboards beyond the platform’s capabilities.

Nessus: Best for comprehensive, flexible vulnerability scanning across diverse IT environments. Kenna Security: Best for enterprise vulnerability management with strong risk prioritization and integrations.

Description

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

Kenna Security is enterprise-grade vulnerability management software that turns vulnerability scanning into a streamlined set of processes. Scan complex networks of all sizes across all ... Read More about Kenna Security

Entry Level Pricing

  • Starts from $2,790
  • Not Available

Free Trial Availability

  • No free trial

User Ratings

Based on verified Spotsaas reviews

Best Company Size

Small BusinessLarge Enterprises
100-5000 employeesMedium to large 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.

Strengths

Key strengths

Nessus

No key benefits available yet.

Kenna Security

  • Proactive Risk Management: Kenna Security lets your team stay ahead of threats by prioritizing vulnerabilities based on real-world exploit data. This confirms that you're addressing the most critical issues first, maximizing your security efforts effectively.
  • Data-Driven Insights: Kenna Security turns complex security data into actionable insights through its analytics capabilities. As a manager, you can make informed decisions that match your organization's risk tolerance and business objectives.
  • Streamlined Collaboration: The platform builds smooth communication between security and IT teams. By breaking down silos, it lets everyone work together more efficiently, keeping everyone informed on vulnerability management.
Best fit

Best fit

Nessus

No best-fit guidance available yet.

Kenna Security

  • 100 to 5,000 employees.
  • Cybersecurity, IT Services, Financial Services, Healthcare, Education, Government.
  • Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs), Security Analysts, Risk Managers, IT Security Engineers, Compliance Officers.
Watchouts

Reasons buyers look elsewhere

Nessus

No alternatives guidance available yet.

Kenna Security

  • Lacks customizable vulnerability workflows — teams needing role-based access controls or custom severity scoring often add Qualys or Rapid7
  • Price-sensitive buyers under $50K annual budget typically switch to open-source alternatives like OpenVAS or commercial competitors like Tenable Nessus
  • Requires manual API configuration for third-party SIEM integration — teams using Splunk or ELK Stack prefer vendors with pre-built connectors

Software Demo

Demo

Need a second opinion?

Get shortlist help from a software advisor

Share your priorities, budget, and team needs, and we’ll help you narrow the options and understand the tradeoffs before you talk to vendors.

Spotsaas advisor
Get shortlist help from a software advisor
  • Independent advice — matched to your business
  • Understand the tradeoffs before you talk to vendors
  • Free 15-min call with a software advisor.

Step 1 of 4

How big is your team?

We tailor recommendations to companies your size.

Trusted by teams at

How do Nessus and Kenna Security Compare on Features?

Total Features

6 Features

6 Features

Unique Features

No unique features

No unique features

Get Quote
Get Quote

Compare Nessus and Kenna Security 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.

Pricing Option

      Starting From

      • $2,790
      • Not Available

      Pricing Plans

      • Not Available
      • Not Available

      Pricing Page

      Nessus pricing

      Pricing information not available

      Other Details

      Organization Types supported

      • Large Enterprises
      • Medium Business
      • Small Business
      • Individuals
      • Large Enterprises
      • Medium Business
      • Small Business
      • Individuals

      Platforms Supported

      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Installed - Windows
      • Installed - Mac
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Installed - Windows
      • Installed - Mac
      • Browser Based (Cloud)

      Modes of support

      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online
      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online

      API Support

      • Not Available
      • Available
      Get help choosing
      Get help choosing

      Security & Compliance

      Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.

      SOC 2

      ✓ Yes

      GDPR

      ✓ Yes

      ISO 27001

      ✓ Yes

      Single Sign-On (SSO)

      ✓ Yes

      Multi-Factor Auth (MFA)

      ✓ Yes

      Data Encryption

      ✓ Yes

      Audit Logs

      ✓ Yes

      Data Residency

      🇺🇸 US
      🌐 Global

      Nessus User Reviews & Rating Comparison

      User Ratings

      Rating Distribution

      125

      53

      6

      0

      1

      17

      6

      2

      0

      0

      Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI

      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

      • Ease of use
      • Comprehensive vulnerability coverage
      • Automation and reporting

      Common complaints

      • Scan time inconsistency
      • Limited marketplace integrations

      Buyer sentiment

      Overall positive sentiment highlights ease of use and effective risk prioritization, tempered by concerns over pricing and support responsiveness.

      What buyers like

      • Ease of use
      • Risk prioritization
      • Integration capabilities

      Common complaints

      • Pricing concerns
      • Customer support responsiveness

      Pros and Cons

      • Comprehensive and accurate vulnerability detection with regularly updated plugin repository

      • User-friendly interface with automated scanning and reporting that boosts productivity

      • Supports both agent-based and credentials-based scanning implementations

      • Scan times and results can be inconsistent at times

      • Limited marketplace options for additional apps and connectors

      • Comprehensive visibility and prioritization of vulnerabilities across all assets

      • User-friendly interface suitable for varying expertise levels

      • Automation of scans, notifications, and risk scoring

      • Pricing structure may be costly and less flexible for some organizations

      • Steep learning curve requiring dedicated training

      Positive Reviews

      No reviews available for the product

      No reviews available for the product

      Used Nessus or Kenna Security? Tell buyers what actually differs.

      List of Customers

      Customers

      VMware

      VMware

      DocuSign

      DocuSign

      American Eagle Outfitters

      American Eagle Outfitters

      No Customers information available.

      Media and Screenshots

      Screenshots

      Nessus Plugins

      5 Screenshots

      Proactively Manage

      5 Screenshots

      Videos

      video-0

      3 Videos

      video-0

      3 Videos

      Top Alternatives to Nessus and Kenna Security in 2026

      Expand your shortlist

      Add another option to compare side by side

      Search by product name to compare pricing, fit, and buyer feedback in one view.

      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, Nessus or Kenna Security?
      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 Nessus and Kenna Security offer a free trial?
      Nessus offers a free trial. Kenna Security does not.
      What is the starting price of Nessus vs Kenna Security?
      Nessus starts at $2,790 /Year. Kenna Security starts at Contact for pricing.
      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.
      What are the top alternatives to Kenna Security?
      Top alternatives to Kenna Security include Tenable.io, InsightVM, BeyondTrust Vulnerability Management, Qualys VM, Nessus.