Acunetix vs. Nessus

Attribute	Acunetix	Nessus
Vendor	Acunetix	Tenable
License	Commercial	Commercial
Scanning Capabilities	Web application scanning	Network scanning
Supported Platforms	Windows, Linux	Windows, Linux
Reporting	Advanced reporting	Basic reporting

Introduction

When it comes to web application security testing, two popular tools that often come to mind are Acunetix and Nessus. Both tools are widely used by security professionals to identify vulnerabilities in web applications and networks. In this article, we will compare the attributes of Acunetix and Nessus to help you decide which tool may be more suitable for your security testing needs.

Scanning Capabilities

Acunetix is known for its powerful scanning capabilities that can detect a wide range of vulnerabilities in web applications, including SQL injection, cross-site scripting, and insecure server configurations. It also offers advanced scanning options such as authentication testing and custom scanning profiles. On the other hand, Nessus is a comprehensive vulnerability scanning tool that can identify vulnerabilities in networks, operating systems, and applications. It provides detailed reports on vulnerabilities found, along with recommendations for remediation.

User Interface

Acunetix has a user-friendly interface that makes it easy for users to configure scans, view scan results, and generate reports. The dashboard provides an overview of recent scans, vulnerabilities found, and remediation progress. Nessus also has a user-friendly interface that allows users to schedule scans, view scan results, and customize scan settings. The dashboard provides a summary of scan results, including the number of vulnerabilities found and their severity levels.

Reporting

Acunetix offers detailed reports that include information on vulnerabilities found, their severity levels, and recommendations for remediation. Reports can be customized to include specific information based on the user's preferences. Nessus also provides detailed reports that include vulnerability information, severity levels, and remediation recommendations. Reports can be exported in various formats, such as PDF and CSV, for easy sharing and analysis.

Integration

Acunetix can be integrated with popular issue tracking systems, such as Jira and GitHub, to streamline the remediation process. It also offers integration with CI/CD pipelines to automate security testing in the development process. Nessus can be integrated with security information and event management (SIEM) systems to provide real-time monitoring of vulnerabilities. It also offers integration with patch management systems to facilitate the remediation of vulnerabilities.

Pricing

Acunetix offers different pricing plans based on the number of websites or applications to be scanned and the level of support required. Pricing starts at a monthly or annual subscription fee, with discounts available for longer subscription periods. Nessus also offers different pricing plans based on the number of IP addresses to be scanned and the level of support required. Pricing starts at a yearly subscription fee, with discounts available for multi-year subscriptions.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both Acunetix and Nessus are powerful tools for web application security testing, each with its own strengths and capabilities. Acunetix is known for its advanced scanning capabilities and user-friendly interface, while Nessus is a comprehensive vulnerability scanning tool with detailed reporting and integration options. Ultimately, the choice between Acunetix and Nessus will depend on your specific security testing needs and budget constraints.