Semgrep vs Nessus Comparison
Semgrep
Starting at Free free
- Small Business
- Mid-Market
Semgrep is a fast, open-source static analysis tool that finds bugs and enforces code standards across 30+ languages. It uses a pattern-matching syntax that looks like the code it searches — making custom security rules…
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…
Semgrep leads on user satisfaction with a 4.6-star rating across 310 reviews.
Semgrep vs Nessus — at a glance
| Feature | Semgrep | Nessus |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.6 / 5 | 4.3 / 5 |
| Reviews | 310 | 144 |
| Starting price | Free free | $2,790 /Year |
| Free trial | No | Yes |
| Free version | No | No |
| Best for | Small Business, Mid-Market, Enterprise | Large Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business |
| Category | Vulnerability Management Software | Vulnerability Management Software |
| Platforms | Cloud, On-Premise, Linux | SaaS/Web/Cloud, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac |
| API | Available | — |
| Support modes | Slack Community, GitHub Issues, Help Center, Enterprise Support | 24/7 (Live rep), Online |
| Data residency | — | US |
Key differences between Semgrep and Nessus
- Pricing: Semgrep starts at Free free, while Nessus starts at $2,790 /Year.
- Free trial: Nessus offers a free trial; Semgrep does not.
- Target audience: Semgrep is built for Small Business and Mid-Market, while Nessus targets Large Enterprises and Medium Business.
- User satisfaction: Semgrep scores higher with a 4.6-star average.
- Deployment: Semgrep supports Cloud, On-Premise, Linux; Nessus supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac.
Semgrep 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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Semgrep vs Nessus: Biggest differences
Start here before you go deeper into features.
Small Business, 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.
Semgrep typically suits Small Business and Mid-Market. 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 | Semgrep is a fast, open-source static analysis tool that finds bugs and enforces code standards across 30+ languages. It uses a pattern-matching syntax that looks like the code it searches ... Read More about Semgrep | 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? ↗ | 9.2/10 | 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
- Security in the PR Review Loop: Inline PR comments with security findings keep security in the developer workflow — findings are seen and fixed before merge, not post-deploy.
- Custom Rules in Minutes: Pattern syntax that looks like code lets engineering leads write company-specific security rules without security team involvement.
- OWASP Coverage Out of the Box: 2,000+ Registry rules cover SQL injection, XSS, path traversal, and other OWASP Top 10 vulnerabilities across all major frameworks.
No key benefits available yet.
Best fit
- DevSecOps teams adding SAST to CI/CD pipelines to catch security vulnerabilities before code reaches production
- Engineering leads writing custom Semgrep rules to enforce company-specific secure coding patterns across all repositories
- Security teams replacing slow, expensive commercial SAST tools with open-source Semgrep for the same vulnerability coverage at lower cost
No best-fit guidance available yet.
Software Demo
Demo |
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How do Semgrep and Nessus Compare on Features?
Total Features | 9 Features | 6 Features |
|---|---|---|
Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare Semgrep 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 |  |
Semgrep vs Nessus: Other Details
Organization Types supported |
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Get help choosing | Get help choosing |
Semgrep vs Nessus Security & Compliance
Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.
Data Residency | — | 🇺🇸 US |
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Semgrep User Reviews & Rating Comparison
User Ratings | 4.6 (based on 310 reviews) | |
|---|---|---|
Rating Distribution | ||
Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI | Buyer sentiment Buyer sentiment is very strong across 310 reviews, with consistently positive feedback. 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 |
Semgrep and Nessus 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 Semgrep and Nessus in 2026
Alternatives |
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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, Semgrep or Nessus?
- Semgrep edges out the other on user ratings (4.6 vs 4.3). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
- Do Semgrep and Nessus offer a free trial?
- Nessus offers a free trial. Semgrep does not.
- What is the starting price of Semgrep vs Nessus?
- Semgrep starts at Free free. Nessus starts at $2,790 /Year.
- What are the top alternatives to Semgrep?
- Top alternatives to Semgrep include Aikido Security, Checkmarx, Tripwire IP360, Netsparker, Snyk.
- What are the top alternatives to Nessus?
- Top alternatives to Nessus include Netsparker, Tanium Comply, Tenable.io, BeyondTrust Vulnerability Management, Flexera Software Vulnerability Management.