Tenable vs Greenbone OpenVAS -- Vulnerability Management Compared

Tenable vs Greenbone OpenVAS

Greenbone OpenVAS is the leading open-source alternative to Tenable, providing free vulnerability scanning with over 100,000 NVTs. While it cannot match Tenable's scanning speed, plugin breadth, or advanced features like attack path analysis and cloud-native scanning, OpenVAS eliminates licensing costs entirely and provides full transparency into scanning logic. It is best suited for organizations with strong Linux expertise that need a cost-effective scanning foundation.

The Verdict

Choose Greenbone OpenVAS if you need a free, open-source vulnerability scanner and have the Linux expertise to deploy and maintain it. Choose Tenable if you need enterprise-grade scanning speed, cloud-native coverage, risk-based prioritization, and professional support.

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

FeatureGreenbone OpenVASTenable
CostFree (open source)Per-asset commercial licensing
Plugin/NVT Count100,000+ NVTs200,000+ plugins
Scanning SpeedSlower (single-threaded scans)Optimized multi-threaded scanning
Cloud ScanningNot supported nativelyNative cloud connector scanning
Risk PrioritizationCVSS-based onlyVPR with exploit prediction
User InterfaceGreenbone Security Assistant (basic)Modern web console with dashboards
Container SecurityNot supportedTenable.cs container scanning
Enterprise SupportCommunity support (or Greenbone Enterprise)24/7 enterprise support and SLAs

When to Choose Each Tool

Choose Greenbone OpenVAS when:

  • +You need a vulnerability scanner with zero licensing costs
  • +Open-source transparency and code auditability are requirements
  • +Your team has strong Linux administration skills for self-hosted deployment
  • +You want to customize scanning logic and integrate with custom workflows
  • +Budget constraints prevent investment in commercial vulnerability management

Choose Tenable when:

  • +You need enterprise-grade scanning speed and performance
  • +Cloud-native, container, and OT/ICS vulnerability scanning is required
  • +You want risk-based prioritization with VPR scoring
  • +You need a managed cloud platform without infrastructure overhead
  • +Enterprise support, SLAs, and compliance certifications are required

Pros & Cons Comparison

Greenbone OpenVAS

Pros

  • +Completely free with no licensing costs
  • +Open-source transparency allows code audit and customization
  • +Large community with active development and NVT updates
  • +Self-hosted deployment gives full control over scan data
  • +Commercial Greenbone appliances available for enterprise support

Cons

  • –Scanning speed significantly slower than commercial alternatives
  • –Web interface is functional but dated compared to Tenable or Qualys
  • –Requires significant Linux administration expertise to deploy and maintain
  • –NVT library is smaller and updated less frequently than Nessus plugins
  • –No native cloud scanning, container security, or OT/ICS support

Tenable

Pros

  • +Largest vulnerability plugin library with rapid CVE coverage
  • +Mature platform with 20+ years of vulnerability research
  • +Flexible deployment options including cloud, on-prem, and hybrid
  • +Strong compliance scanning for CIS, DISA STIG, and PCI DSS
  • +Extensive third-party integrations and robust API

Cons

  • –Per-asset pricing becomes expensive at enterprise scale
  • –Nessus scanning can be resource-intensive on networks
  • –Steep learning curve for Tenable.sc administration
  • –Agent-based scanning requires endpoint deployment overhead
  • –Reporting customization is limited without Tenable.sc

Tenable vs Greenbone OpenVAS FAQ

Common questions about choosing between Tenable and Greenbone OpenVAS.

What is the main difference between Tenable and Greenbone OpenVAS?

Greenbone OpenVAS is the leading open-source alternative to Tenable, providing free vulnerability scanning with over 100,000 NVTs. While it cannot match Tenable's scanning speed, plugin breadth, or advanced features like attack path analysis and cloud-native scanning, OpenVAS eliminates licensing costs entirely and provides full transparency into scanning logic. It is best suited for organizations with strong Linux expertise that need a cost-effective scanning foundation.

Is Greenbone OpenVAS better than Tenable?

Choose Greenbone OpenVAS if you need a free, open-source vulnerability scanner and have the Linux expertise to deploy and maintain it. Choose Tenable if you need enterprise-grade scanning speed, cloud-native coverage, risk-based prioritization, and professional support.

How much does Greenbone OpenVAS cost compared to Tenable?

Greenbone OpenVAS pricing: Free (open source) / Greenbone Enterprise appliances from $5,000/year. Tenable pricing: Nessus Professional from $3,990/year / Tenable.io from $2,275/year (65 assets) / Enterprise custom pricing. Greenbone OpenVAS's pricing model is open source with commercial appliance options, while Tenable uses per-asset (annual subscription) pricing.

Can I migrate from Tenable to Greenbone OpenVAS?

Yes, you can migrate from Tenable to Greenbone OpenVAS. The migration process depends on your specific setup and the features you use. Both platforms offer APIs that can facilitate automated migration. Consider running both tools in parallel during the transition to ensure zero downtime.

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