Nessus vs SolarWinds Patch Manager Comparison
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…
SolarWinds Patch Manager
Starting at $1,909 /Year
- Free Trial
- Large Enterprises
- Medium Business
The SolarWinds Patch Manager enables user to scan, audit, and report on the installed software and hardware throughout the network. Automate software distribution with a single click, leverage global scanning options to…
Nessus leads on user satisfaction with a 4.4-star rating across 580 reviews.
Nessus vs SolarWinds Patch Manager — at a glance
| Feature | Nessus | SolarWinds Patch Manager |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.4 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 |
| Reviews | 580 | 108 |
| Starting price | $2,790 /Year | $1,909 /Year |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Free version | No | No |
| Best for | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business | Large Enterprises, Medium Business |
| Category | Vulnerability Management Software | Patch Management Software |
| Platforms | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac | Installed - Windows |
| API | — | — |
| Support modes | 24/7 (Live rep), Online | 24/7 (Live rep), Business Hours, Online |
| Data residency | US | US |
Key differences between Nessus and SolarWinds Patch Manager
- Pricing: Nessus starts at $2,790 /Year, while SolarWinds Patch Manager starts at $1,909 /Year.
- User satisfaction: Nessus scores higher with a 4.4-star average.
- Deployment: Nessus supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac; SolarWinds Patch Manager supports Installed - Windows.
Nessus vs SolarWinds Patch Manager — 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
Talk to an expert Talk to an expert |
Biggest differences
Start here before you go deeper into features.
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.
Best for managing Windows patch compliance with strong Microsoft integration.
- You need effective identification and deployment of missing Windows patches to ensure security.
- You want to control patch rollout using deployment groups to minimize network impact.
- Your environment relies heavily on Microsoft products and SolarWinds tools for seamless integration.
- You require extensive third-party patch management with minimal setup complexity.
- You are a small business with limited IT budget and need cost-effective patching solutions.
Nessus: Best for comprehensive, flexible vulnerability scanning across diverse IT environments. SolarWinds Patch Manager: Best for managing Windows patch compliance with strong Microsoft integration.
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 | The SolarWinds Patch Manager enables user to scan, audit, and report on the installed software and hardware throughout the network. Automate software distribution with a single click, ... Read More about SolarWinds Patch Manager |
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User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | ||
Best Company Size | Small BusinessLarge Enterprises | 51-500 employees500+ employees |
Get pricing help | Get pricing help |
Software Demo
Demo |
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Compare Nessus and SolarWinds Patch Manager 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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Get help choosing | Get help choosing |
Security & Compliance
Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.
Data Residency | 🇺🇸 US | 🇺🇸 US |
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Nessus User Reviews & Rating Comparison
User Ratings | ||
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Rating Distribution | ||
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
Common complaints
| Buyer sentiment Users appreciate the tool's effectiveness in patch identification and deployment but note challenges with third-party updates and occasional performance issues. 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 |  VMware  DocuSign  American Eagle Outfitters | No Customers information available. |
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Media and Screenshots
Screenshots |  5 Screenshots |  2 Screenshots |
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Videos |  3 Videos |  3 Videos |
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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 SolarWinds Patch Manager?
- Nessus edges out the other on user ratings (4.4 vs 4.0). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
- Do Nessus and SolarWinds Patch Manager offer a free trial?
- Yes, both Nessus and SolarWinds Patch Manager offer a free trial.
- What is the starting price of Nessus vs SolarWinds Patch Manager?
- Nessus starts at $2,790 /Year. SolarWinds Patch Manager starts at $1,909 /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.
- What are the top alternatives to SolarWinds Patch Manager?
- Top alternatives to SolarWinds Patch Manager include Flexera Software Vulnerability Management, ManageEngine Vulnerability Manager Plus, Ivanti Patch for SCCM, ManageEngine Patch Connect Plus, Patch My PC.