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Nessus vs Qualys Cloud Platform 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…

Qualys Cloud Platform

4.2(33 reviews)

Starting at Contact for pricing

  • Free Trial
  • Large Enterprises
  • Medium Business

Qualys Cloud Platform provides continuous, round-the-clock monitoring, visualization and assessment of IT infrastructure, security, and compliance, with up-to-date understanding of assets possible in just two seconds. Us…

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

Nessus vs Qualys Cloud Platform — at a glance

FeatureNessusQualys Cloud Platform
Rating4.4 / 54.2 / 5
Reviews58033
Starting price$2,790 /YearContact for pricing
Free trial Yes Yes
Free version No No
Best forLarge Enterprises, Medium Business, Small BusinessLarge Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business
CategoryVulnerability Management SoftwareWebsite Security Software
PlatformsSaaS/Web/Cloud, Installed - Windows, Installed - MacSaaS/Web/Cloud
APIAvailable
Support modes24/7 (Live rep), OnlineOnline
CertificationsSOC 2
Data residencyUSGlobal

Key differences between Nessus and Qualys Cloud Platform

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

Nessus vs Qualys Cloud Platform — 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
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Qualys Cloud Platform - New SaaS Software
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Talk to an expert

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.

Qualys Cloud Platform

Best for

Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business

Nessus typically suits Large Enterprises and Medium Business. Qualys Cloud Platform 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

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

Qualys Cloud Platform provides continuous, round-the-clock monitoring, visualization and assessment of IT infrastructure, security, and compliance, with up-to-date understanding of assets ... Read More about Qualys Cloud Platform

Entry Level Pricing

  • Starts from $2,790
  • Not Available

Free Trial Availability

  • Free Trial available

User Ratings

Based on verified Spotsaas reviews

4.2

(33)

Best Company Size

Small BusinessLarge Enterprises
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Software Demo

Demo

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How do Nessus and Qualys Cloud Platform Compare on Features?

Total Features

0 Features

8 Features

Unique Features

No features

No unique features

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Get Quote

Compare Nessus and Qualys Cloud Platform 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

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

      Platforms Supported

      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Mobile - iOS
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Mobile - iOS

      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

      HIPAA

      ✗ No

      Data Residency

      🇺🇸 US
      🌐 Global

      Nessus User Reviews & Rating Comparison

      User Ratings

      4.2

      (based on 33 reviews)

      Rating Distribution

      125

      53

      6

      0

      1

      0

      0

      0

      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

      Buyer sentiment is positive across 33 reviews, with strong overall satisfaction.

      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

      No pros or cons available for this product

      Positive Reviews

      No reviews available for the product

      No reviews available for the product

      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

      No screenshots available.

      Videos

      video-0

      3 Videos

      video-0

      2 Videos

      Top Alternatives to Nessus and Qualys Cloud Platform in 2026

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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, Nessus or Qualys Cloud Platform?
      Nessus edges out the other on user ratings (4.4 vs 4.2). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
      Do Nessus and Qualys Cloud Platform offer a free trial?
      Yes, both Nessus and Qualys Cloud Platform offer a free trial.
      What is the starting price of Nessus vs Qualys Cloud Platform?
      Nessus starts at $2,790 /Year. Qualys Cloud Platform 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 Qualys Cloud Platform?
      Top alternatives to Qualys Cloud Platform include Tenable.io, Qualys VM, JupiterOne, Threatwatch, Qualified.

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