OPENVAS vs. Nessus: Which Vulnerability Scanner Is Right for You?
Choose your IT security provider wisely
Find the best vulnerability scanner: OPENVAS by Greenbone compared to Nessus by Tenable. With OPENVAS, you gain full transparency, European quality, and high cost savings without vendor lock-in.
Objective Vulnerability Scanner Comparison
An overview of the core functions of OPENVAS and Nessus:
OPENVAS by Greenbone offers you full control over your IT security thanks to open-source technology and development in Europe. Try OPENVAS with a non-binding proof of concept in your own environment.
Feature
OPENVAS Enterprise Products by Greenbone
Nessus by Tenable
OPENVAS Community Products
Open Source
✓
✗
✓
CVE Coverage ⓘ
Best CVE coverage
Good CVE coverage
Good CVE coverage for community products
EPSS Scoring Supported ⓘ
✓
✓
✗
False Positive Rate ⓘ
Low false positive rate, adjustable threshold
Good false positive rate
Not published, frequent false positives
Vulnerability Grouping
✓
✓
✓
Web Application Scanning
✓
✓
✗
Licensing Model
Open source, free or enterprise licenses
Proprietary, paid licenses
Free (Community Edition)
Support
Enterprise support, community support
Commercial support
Community support
✓ = Available, ✗ = Not available
Detailed Overview
Data protection and clear visibility into your security solution are essential today. With OPENVAS by Greenbone, you retain full control thanks to open-source technology and European development.
OPENVAS vs. Nessus
OPENVAS or Nessus?
Nessus by Tenable is a strong player, but OPENVAS by Greenbone stands out with open-source transparency, European quality, and flexible deployment.Advantages of OPENVAS
- Open-source technology
- Full control and independence
- Available as an appliance
- Best CVE coverage
- Low and adjustable false positive rate
Disadvantages of Nessus
- Proprietary system
- No appliance option
- Limited CVE coverage
- Less adjustable false positive rate
Customer Testimonials
What companies say about OPENVAS from Greenbone:
"Our company stands for security and data protection. Therefore, we must maintain a very high security standard on our servers. At the same time, we highly value privacy and do not use cloud-based tools. The on-premise operated Greenbone Enterprise Appliance performs automated, regular security scans on all our servers. The “Greenbone Enterprise Feed” ensures that current security vulnerabilities are detected"
"We recently started using the Greenbone Cloud Service. The cloud-based vulnerability management tool gives us the certainty that our sensitive data is in safe hands, fully GDPR-compliant. In addition, the Greenbone Cloud Service offers unparalleled flexibility and scalability, which has significantly supported the growth of my company. Overall, I recommend this tool to anyone who wants to improve their company’s security."
"IT security for us is not a one-time project but a continuous process. With the Greenbone solution, we continuously check our systems for vulnerabilities and specifically minimize IT risks. Our Information Security Management System (ISMS), which integrates a SIEM solution and a SOC, is significantly enhanced by this. This way, we sustainably protect sensitive patient data and strengthen the digital resilience of our clinic IT."
Ready for OPENVAS?
Discover how OPENVAS open-source solutions can protect your network. Request a free, no-obligation consultation to find the option that best suits your company.
FAQ: How to Switch to OPENVAS
Is OPENVAS as secure as commercial solutions?
Yes, Greenbone’s OPENVAS is the result of over 20 years of programming and development. Open-source technology guarantees full transparency and rapid security updates thanks to community support.
Is migration to OPENVAS complex?
The migration is completed within 2–4 weeks. You can rely on our support for migration and integration of your existing scan configurations.
Which compliance standards does OPENVAS meet?
Greenbone’s OPENVAS complies with ISO 27001, PCI DSS, HIPAA, SOX, and GDPR. Made in Europe development ensures immediate data protection.
Can I use OPENVAS both on-premise and in the cloud?
Yes, OPENVAS offers maximum flexibility: choose between on-premise, private cloud, public cloud, or hybrid solutions. Data management and processing always remain under your control.
How quickly are updates released for new vulnerabilities?
Critical updates are distributed within 24 hours. Community contributions ensure faster response times than many proprietary software solutions.
What happens to the history of my scan data?
Your scan data history can be exported from most systems and transferred to formats compatible with OPENVAS, so you lose no information or scan history.
Who develops the vulnerability tests (modules) for OPENVAS?
The Greenbone team consists of security analysts and engineers who develop, maintain, and continuously update all vulnerability tests in-house.
