Qualys VM vs Nessus Comparison
Qualys VM
Starting at Contact for pricing
- Free Trial
- Large Enterprises
- Medium Business
Qualys Vulnerability Management (VM) is a scalable, flexible, and cost-effective vulnerability management solution to identify and fix vulnerable software across the enterprise. VM continuously monitors public and local…
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.
Spotsaas Analysis
Qualys VMNessus
The core difference between Qualys VM and Nessus lies in Qualys's focus on scalable, continuous enterprise vulnerability management, while Nessus offers comprehensive scanning flexibility for diverse IT environments. Qualys VM is ideal for larger organizations needing real-time monitoring, whereas Nessus is suited for businesses of all sizes seeking user-friendly vulnerability detection.
- Scalable solution for large and mid-sized enterprises - Continuous, real-time monitoring capabilities - Automatic vulnerability signature updates - Flexible deployment options - Best for security teams requiring ongoing vigilance - Ideal for organizations with 51-500 or 500+ employees
- Comprehensive vulnerability scanning tool - Supports diverse IT environments - User-friendly interface for ease of use - Automated scanning and reporting features - Suitable for small businesses and large enterprises - Offers both agent-based and credentialed scans
Qualys VM vs Nessus — at a glance
| Feature | Qualys VM | Nessus |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.1 / 5 | 4.4 / 5 |
| Reviews | 103 | 580 |
| Starting price | Contact for pricing | $2,790 /Year |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Free version | No | No |
| Best for | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business |
| Category | Vulnerability Management Software | Vulnerability Management Software |
| Platforms | SaaS/Web/Cloud | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac |
| API | — | — |
| Support modes | Online | 24/7 (Live rep), Online |
| Certifications | SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, ISO 27001 | — |
| Data residency | Global | US |
Key differences between Qualys VM and Nessus
- Pricing: Nessus starts at $2,790 /Year. Qualys VM pricing is not publicly listed.
- User satisfaction: Nessus scores higher with a 4.4-star average.
- Deployment: Qualys VM supports SaaS/Web/Cloud; Nessus supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac.
Qualys VM 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.
Best for scalable, continuous enterprise vulnerability management with real-time updates.
- You need a solution that scales across large and mid-sized enterprises with flexible deployment.
- Your security team requires continuous, real-time monitoring and automatic vulnerability signature updates.
- You want comprehensive asset discovery combining forensic analysis, code review, and penetration testing.
- You are a very small business with limited IT resources and need a simple setup.
- You prefer a standalone vulnerability scanner without complex integration or sales engagement for pricing.
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.
Qualys VM: Best for scalable, continuous enterprise vulnerability management with real-time updates. Nessus: Best for comprehensive, flexible vulnerability scanning across diverse IT environments.
Description | Qualys Vulnerability Management (VM) is a scalable, flexible, and cost-effective vulnerability management solution to identify and fix vulnerable software across the enterprise. VM ... Read More about Qualys VM | 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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User RatingsBased on verified Spotsaas reviews | ||
Best Company Size | 51-500 employees500+ employees | Small BusinessLarge Enterprises |
Get pricing help | Get pricing help |
Software Demo
Demo |  Qualys VM has not given any software demo yet If you're the owner of this profile, add your demo.Contact us |
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How do Qualys VM and Nessus Compare on Features?
Total Features | 6 Features | 6 Features |
|---|---|---|
Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare Qualys VM 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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Platforms Supported |
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Modes of support |
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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.
SOC 2 | ✓ Yes | — |
|---|---|---|
HIPAA | ✓ Yes | — |
GDPR | ✓ Yes | — |
ISO 27001 | ✓ Yes | — |
Single Sign-On (SSO) | ✓ Yes | — |
Multi-Factor Auth (MFA) | ✓ Yes | — |
Data Encryption | ✓ Yes | — |
Audit Logs | ✓ Yes | — |
Data Residency | 🌐 Global | 🇺🇸 US |
Qualys VM User Reviews & Rating Comparison
User Ratings | 4.1 (based on 103 reviews) | |
|---|---|---|
Rating Distribution | ||
Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI | Buyer sentiment Overall positive sentiment highlights scalability and comprehensive monitoring, with some concerns about pricing transparency and setup complexity. 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 |  6 Screenshots |  5 Screenshots |
|---|---|---|
Videos | No videos available. |  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, Qualys VM or Nessus?
- Nessus edges out the other on user ratings (4.4 vs 4.1). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
- Do Qualys VM and Nessus offer a free trial?
- Yes, both Qualys VM and Nessus offer a free trial.
- What is the starting price of Qualys VM vs Nessus?
- Qualys VM starts at Contact for pricing. Nessus starts at $2,790 /Year.
- What are the top alternatives to Qualys VM?
- Top alternatives to Qualys VM include Microsoft Threat Vulnerability Management, TAC Security, Brinqa, Defendify, SAINTCloud.
- 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.