Link copied to clipboard # Qualys VMDR vs Tenable Nessus Comparison - What are their main differences? Share [ Export ](/compare/qualys-vmdr/tenable-nessus/export.csv) Qualys VMDRTenable Nessus[+ Add Product](#) Pricing **Qualys VMDR** No pricing available **Tenable Nessus** Free Trial **$3,390.00** 1 License With One-Time Purchase · Pro - 1 Year **Pricing Insights** from reviews Time to Implement **Qualys VMDR** 3 months Based on 9 responses **Tenable Nessus** 1 monthFaster Based on 24 responses Return on Investment **Qualys VMDR** 22 months Based on 7 responses **Tenable Nessus** 12 months10 months sooner Based on 20 responses Perceived Cost **Qualys VMDR** $$$$$ **Tenable Nessus** $$$$$ Average Discount **Qualys VMDR** 14%6% more **Tenable Nessus** 8% **Pros & Cons** from reviews **Qualys VMDR** [ Customer Support (2) ](https://www.g2.com/products/qualys-vmdr/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1365209&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[ Features (2) ](https://www.g2.com/products/qualys-vmdr/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1366629&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[ Complexity (2) ](https://www.g2.com/products/qualys-vmdr/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1365145&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[ Complex Reporting (1) ](https://www.g2.com/products/qualys-vmdr/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1974868&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews) **Tenable Nessus** [ Vulnerability Identification (21) ](https://www.g2.com/products/tenable-nessus/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1158838&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[ Vulnerability Detection (19) ](https://www.g2.com/products/tenable-nessus/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1158713&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[ Slow Scanning (8) ](https://www.g2.com/products/tenable-nessus/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1158016&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[ Expensive (6) ](https://www.g2.com/products/tenable-nessus/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=2314763&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews) Integrations **Qualys VMDR** [ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_da836c06c61c98d4a0795c7cfc3a9a5a/servicenow-it-service-management.jpg "Product Avatar Image") ServiceNow IT Service... ](https://www.g2.com/products/servicenow-it-service-management/reviews)[ View all ](https://www.g2.com/products/qualys-vmdr/integrations) **Tenable Nessus** [ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/vendor/image/10784/large_detail_e5444efc9ea5f28707b4aa4de0a3088f.jpeg "Product Avatar Image") Security Center ](https://www.g2.com/products/security-center/reviews)[ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_da836c06c61c98d4a0795c7cfc3a9a5a/servicenow-it-service-management.jpg "Product Avatar Image") ServiceNow IT Service... ](https://www.g2.com/products/servicenow-it-service-management/reviews)[ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_91bcb2c063fcfb0a82dfedcf1a6463d1/splunk-enterprise.jpg "Product Avatar Image") Splunk Enterprise ](https://www.g2.com/products/splunk-enterprise/reviews)[ ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_cbd3fb3d7b519da99e67a6ef0172fadf/tenable-security-center.png "Product Avatar Image") Tenable Security Center ](https://www.g2.com/products/tenable-security-center/reviews)[ View all ](https://www.g2.com/products/tenable-nessus/integrations) Screenshots **Qualys VMDR** ![Qualys VMDR screenshot](https://images.g2crowd.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=600,height=600,fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,/https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/attachment/file/1246139/Qualys-VMDR.png) **Tenable Nessus** ![Tenable Nessus screenshot](https://images.g2crowd.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=600,height=600,fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,/https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/attachment/file/91875/grouped-view-1.png) **Ratings** from reviews Meets Requirements **Qualys VMDR** **8.7** /10 Based on 118 responses **Tenable Nessus** **9.0** /10 Based on 264 responses Ease of Use **Qualys VMDR** **8.6** /10 Based on 117 responses **Tenable Nessus** **8.9** /10 Based on 267 responses Ease of Setup **Qualys VMDR** **8.4** /10 Based on 79 responses **Tenable Nessus** **8.8** /10 Based on 189 responses Ease of Admin **Qualys VMDR** **8.5** /10 Based on 77 responses **Tenable Nessus** **8.9** /10 Based on 174 responses Quality of Support **Qualys VMDR** **8.1** /10 Based on 113 responses **Tenable Nessus** **8.4** /10 Based on 244 responses Has the product been a good partner in doing business? **Qualys VMDR** **8.5** /10 Based on 78 responses **Tenable Nessus** **8.7** /10 Based on 162 responses Product Direction (% positive) **Qualys VMDR** **8.2** /10 Based on 102 responses **Tenable Nessus** **8.9** /10 Based on 250 responses **Features** ratings from reviews Vulnerability Scanner **7.9** /10 Based on 20 responses **8.4** /10 Based on 174 responses Cloud Workload Protection Platforms **7.8** /10 Based on 9 responses Not enough data Cloud Compliance **7.7** /10 Based on 15 responses Not enough data Risk-Based Vulnerability Management **8.3** /10 Based on 56 responses Not enough data Attack Surface Management Not enough data **8.4** /10 Based on 7 responses User Insights **Reviewers' Company Size** Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.) 20.1% Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.) 27.4% Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.) 52.4% Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.) 20.1% Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.) 27.4% Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.) 52.4% Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.) 25.4% Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.) 40.3% Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.) 34.3% Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.) 25.4% Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.) 40.3% Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.) 34.3% **Reviewers' Industry** [![Qualys VMDR](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_8f9c479b207589ba8dc7777f344ab0ac/qualys-vmdr.png "Qualys VMDR")](https://www.g2.com/products/qualys-vmdr/reviews) Qualys VMDR Information Technology and Services 21.8% Computer & Network Security 12.1% Financial Services 9.1% Computer Software 7.3% Banking 4.8% Other 44.8% [![Tenable Nessus](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/127e03b7d601741c15306f07b0f8cf84/tenable-nessus.svg "Tenable Nessus")](https://www.g2.com/products/tenable-nessus/reviews) Tenable Nessus Information Technology and Services 25.2% Computer & Network Security 16.6% Financial Services 7.0% Computer Software 5.6% Banking 5.0% Other 40.5% Alternatives **Qualys VMDR Alternatives** ![Microsoft Defender for Cloud](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/a8a99a96fda235658139f710592f8a53/microsoft-defender-for-cloud.svg "Microsoft Defender for Cloud") [ Microsoft Defender for Cloud ](/products/microsoft-defender-for-cloud/reviews) ![CrowdStrike Falcon Cloud Security](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/73bf09322e583714b809a5154ca47357/crowdstrike-falcon-cloud-security.svg "CrowdStrike Falcon Cloud Security") [ CrowdStrike Falcon Cloud... ](/products/crowdstrike-falcon-cloud-security/reviews) ![Wiz](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/991dbad301661dc9e1b78a7e252252b4/wiz-wiz.svg "Wiz") [ Wiz ](/products/wiz-wiz/reviews) ![Tenable Vulnerability Management](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/127e03b7d601741c15306f07b0f8cf84/tenable-vulnerability-management.svg "Tenable Vulnerability Management") [ Tenable Vulnerability... ](/products/tenable-vulnerability-management/reviews) **Tenable Nessus Alternatives** ![Intruder](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1539808658/intruder.svg "Intruder") [ Intruder ](/products/intruder/reviews) ![Invicti](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/3bee4d2b732dab5368b9a8aa21f05e30/invicti.svg "Invicti") [ Invicti ](/products/invicti/reviews) ![Detectify](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_b3060aea2f789d838e7b2fa172ee4fdf/detectify.png "Detectify") [ Detectify ](/products/detectify/reviews) ![Wiz](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/991dbad301661dc9e1b78a7e252252b4/wiz-wiz.svg "Wiz") [ Wiz ](/products/wiz-wiz/reviews) ## Qualys VMDR vs Tenable Nessus FAQs Generated using AI Last updated: August 15, 2026 ### What is the difference between Tenable Nessus vs Qualys VMDR? Tenable Nessus stands out for its higher G2 rating, stronger Ease of Setup and Quality of Support scores, and top-cited ease of use, while Qualys VMDR is favored for its cloud-native scalability and risk-based prioritization. | | [Tenable Nessus](https://www.g2.com/products/tenable-nessus/reviews) | [Qualys VMDR](https://www.g2.com/products/qualys-vmdr/reviews) | | --- | --- | --- | | G2 Rating (reviews) | 4.5/5 (305 reviews) | 4.4/5 (168 reviews) | | Largest Segment | Mid-Market | Enterprise | | Ease of Setup score | 8.8 | 8.4 | | Quality of Support score | 8.4 | 8.1 | | Top Reviewer-Cited Strength | Ease of Use (16 all-time mentions) | Cloud-Native & Risk-Based Prioritization (recent reviews) | ### How do the pricing models of Tenable Nessus and Qualys VMDR compare? Tenable Nessus is rated higher for value, with a stronger Price/Cost satisfaction score than Qualys VMDR. - **Tenable Nessus:** In recent reviews, several buyers mention that while costs have increased, the product remains within budget for many and is considered cost effective for its feature set. - **Qualys VMDR:** Recent reviewers note that Qualys VMDR is less expensive than other leaders in the category, but some small-business reviewers cite higher pricing as a concern. - **Switching reasons:** Reviewers switching to Tenable Nessus often cite ease of use and value for money as key factors. ### What are the best alternatives to Tenable Nessus and Qualys VMDR? The top 3 alternatives to Tenable Nessus and Qualys VMDR are Microsoft Defender for Cloud, Intruder, and Invicti. | Product | G2 Rating (reviews) | Largest Segment | Pricing Insight | Top Reviewer-Cited Strength | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Tenable Nessus](https://www.g2.com/products/tenable-nessus/reviews) | 4.5/5 (305 reviews) | Mid-Market | Costs have increased but remains within budget for many | Ease of Use (16 all-time mentions) | | [Qualys VMDR](https://www.g2.com/products/qualys-vmdr/reviews) | 4.4/5 (168 reviews) | Enterprise | Less expensive than other leaders, but some cite higher pricing for small business | Cloud-Native & Risk-Based Prioritization (recent reviews) | | [Microsoft Defender for Cloud](https://www.g2.com/products/microsoft-defender-for-cloud/reviews) | 4.4/5 (440 reviews) | Mid-Market | — | Comprehensive cloud security (recent reviews) | | [Intruder](https://www.g2.com/products/intruder/reviews) | 4.8/5 (209 reviews) | — | — | High accuracy and ease of use (recent reviews) | | [Invicti](https://www.g2.com/products/invicti/reviews) | 4.5/5 (72 reviews) | Enterprise | — | Enterprise-grade vulnerability detection (recent reviews) | ### Which Vulnerability Scanner features should I prioritize when comparing Tenable Nessus and Qualys VMDR? Buyers comparing Tenable Nessus and Qualys VMDR should prioritize vulnerability detection accuracy, ease of use, reporting, automation, and integration capabilities. - **Vulnerability Detection Accuracy:** Tenable Nessus (Vulnerability Identification: 20 all-time mentions, Vulnerability Detection: 18); Qualys VMDR (Vulnerability Detection: 2, Vulnerability Identification: 2) - **Ease of Use:** Tenable Nessus (16 all-time mentions, Ease of Use score: 8.9); Qualys VMDR (Ease of Use score: 8.6) - **Reporting:** Tenable Nessus (5 all-time mentions for Detailed Information, recurring feedback on clear and actionable reports); Qualys VMDR (recent reviews cite complex reporting as a trade-off) - **Automation:** Tenable Nessus (Automation: 6 all-time mentions); Qualys VMDR (Automation: 1, recent reviews highlight automated remediation workflows) - **Integration Capabilities:** Both products are cited for integrations in recent reviews, with Qualys VMDR noted for ServiceNow, Splunk, and QRadar integration. ### What are the pros and cons of Tenable Nessus vs Qualys VMDR? Tenable Nessus is most often praised for its ease of use, while Qualys VMDR is highlighted for its cloud-native risk-based prioritization and automation. - **Tenable Nessus strengths:** Ease of Use (16 all-time mentions), Vulnerability Identification (20), Automated Scanning (15), User Interface (13), Security (9), Flexibility (5), Setup Ease (5). - **Tenable Nessus trade-offs:** Slow Scanning (7), Expensive (6), Limited Features (6), Complexity (5), False Positives (5). - **Qualys VMDR strengths:** Cloud-Native & Risk-Based Prioritization (recent reviews), Automation (recent reviews), Asset Management, Real-Time Alerting, Integration with ServiceNow and Splunk. - **Qualys VMDR trade-offs:** Complexity and learning curve (recent reviews), Complex Reporting (recent reviews), Interface can feel outdated, Performance lags in some modules. ### Is Tenable Nessus or Qualys VMDR better for small businesses? Tenable Nessus is the better fit for small businesses, supported by its mid-market segment focus and reviewer sentiment on ease of use and setup. - **Tenable Nessus:** Largest segment is Mid-Market; reviewers consistently highlight ease of setup and user-friendly interface as advantages for smaller teams. - **Qualys VMDR:** Largest segment is Enterprise; reviewers note a steeper learning curve and more complex interface, which can be challenging for small-business environments. ### Which Vulnerability Scanner platform has better integrations? Qualys VMDR is favored for integrations, with reviewers citing its compatibility with ServiceNow, Splunk, and QRadar. - **Tenable Nessus:** Recent reviews mention integration with HCL BigFix and API/plugin extensibility, but no high-frequency third-party integration mentions. - **Qualys VMDR:** Recent reviews highlight integrations with ServiceNow, Splunk, and QRadar for automated remediation and security operations workflows. ### How do Tenable Nessus and Qualys VMDR compare on customer support? Tenable Nessus and Qualys VMDR are rated within 0.3 points on Quality of Support, with Tenable Nessus at 8.4 and Qualys VMDR at 8.1, indicating near parity. - **Tenable Nessus:** Reviewers frequently describe support as responsive and helpful, with several citing quick resolution and positive experiences. - **Qualys VMDR:** Support is described as generally reliable, but some reviewers mention slow response times and challenges with ticket resolution. ### Which is easier to implement, Tenable Nessus or Qualys VMDR? Tenable Nessus leads on Ease of Setup with a 0.4-point advantage (8.8 vs 8.4), and reviewers highlight its straightforward deployment. - **Tenable Nessus:** Reviewers consistently cite easy installation, quick setup, and intuitive onboarding, especially for standard scans and smaller environments. - **Qualys VMDR:** Reviewers note a steeper initial learning curve and more complex setup, particularly for new users or smaller teams, but also mention that setup becomes easier with experience. ### Which product has better Reporting? Tenable Nessus is favored for Reporting, with more frequent reviewer mentions and higher satisfaction on detailed and actionable reports. - **Tenable Nessus:** Reporting is cited in 5 all-time mentions for Detailed Information, with recurring positive feedback on clear, actionable, and audit-friendly reports; Meets Requirements score: 9.0. - **Qualys VMDR:** Recent reviews highlight complex reporting as a trade-off, with some reviewers requesting improvements in automation and executive reporting; Meets Requirements score: 8.7.