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Developer Tools · head to head

ESLint vs Nessus

ESLint logo

ESLint

Developer Tools

Find and fix problems in JavaScript code

From
Free
Free plan
Yes
Full reviewWebsite
Nessus logo

Nessus

Cybersecurity

The most trusted vulnerability assessment solution

From
$4790/year
Free plan
No
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only ESLint has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: ESLint slow performance on large codebases compared to newer tools like Oxlint and Biome; Nessus nessus Professional is $4,790 for one year, with no free or low cost commercial tier
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which ESLint and Nessus actually diverge.

Attributes where ESLint and Nessus differ
AttributeESLintNessus
Starting priceFree$4790/year
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsBrowser-based JavaScript, Node.js, Any JavaScript environmentDesktop, Api
CategoryDeveloper ToolsCybersecurity
Founded20192002

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in ESLint

Nothing recorded that Nessus does not also cover.

Only in Nessus

  • Vulnerability scanning
  • Configuration auditing
  • Malware detection
  • Web application scanning
  • Cloud scanning
  • Compliance checks
  • Patch auditing
  • Pre-built policies

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

ESLint

  • Statically analysing JavaScript and JSX to find problems before runtimenot Nessus
  • Automatically fixing issues with syntax-aware rewritesnot Nessus
  • Enforcing a consistent code style across a teamnot Nessus
  • Running as a CI step to block non-conforming codenot Nessus
  • Writing custom rules for project-specific conventionsnot Nessus

Nessus

  • Vulnerability scanning for individual practitionersnot ESLint
  • Enterprise vulnerability managementnot ESLint
  • Web application security assessmentsnot ESLint

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

ESLint

  • Slow performance on large codebases compared to newer tools like Oxlint and Biome
  • Complexity in configuration from scratch, particularly for TypeScript support
  • Limited built-in TypeScript support, requiring separate parsers and coordination with new TypeScript features

Nessus

  • Nessus Professional is $4,790 for one year, with no free or low cost commercial tier
  • Multi year terms are the only discount route, at $9,330.95 for two years and $13,637.54 for three
  • It is a single user scanner, so team workflows mean migrating to another Tenable product
  • Tenable One vulnerability management is priced separately, starting at $3,500 a year for 100 assets

Pricing, plan by plan

ESLint

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the ESLint review.

Nessus

$4790/year
  • Nessus Professional$4790/year
    • 1 year license
    • Best for individual security professionals
  • Nessus Professional 2-Year$9330.95/2 years
    • 2 year license with discounted rate vs. annual
  • Nessus Professional 3-Year$13637.54/3 years
    • 3 year license with discounted rate vs. annual
  • Nessus Expert$6790/year
    • 1 year license
    • Enhanced capabilities vs. Professional

Which should you pick?

Choose ESLint if

  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Browser-based JavaScript, Node.js, Any JavaScript environment.
ESLint review

Choose Nessus if

  • You need vulnerability scanning.
  • You work on Desktop, Api.
  • You also want configuration auditing.
Nessus review

Questions people ask

Is ESLint or Nessus better?
Neither clearly leads. ESLint starts at Free and Nessus at $4790/year, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, ESLint or Nessus?
ESLint has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for ESLint and $4790/year for Nessus.
Does ESLint or Nessus run on more platforms?
ESLint runs on Browser-based JavaScript, Node.js, Any JavaScript environment. Nessus runs on Desktop, Api.
Can I use ESLint for free?
Yes. ESLint has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Nessus starts at $4790/year.
What is ESLint best used for?
ESLint is most often used for statically analysing javascript and jsx to find problems before runtime, automatically fixing issues with syntax-aware rewrites, enforcing a consistent code style across a team, running as a ci step to block non-conforming code. Of those, statically analysing javascript and jsx to find problems before runtime and automatically fixing issues with syntax-aware rewrites are not what Nessus is typically brought in for.
What can ESLint do that Nessus cannot?
Nessus covers Vulnerability scanning, Configuration auditing, Malware detection, Web application scanning.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

ESLint: Does ESLint automatically fix code issues?

Many problems ESLint finds can be automatically fixed via the --fix flag. ESLint fixes are syntax-aware so you won't experience errors introduced by traditional find-and-replace algorithms.

Source
Nessus: What is the cheapest Nessus option?

Nessus Professional starts at $4,790 per year for a 1-year license. Multi-year commitments offer discounts, with 2-year licenses at $9,330.95 and 3-year licenses at $13,637.54.

Source
ESLint: How much does ESLint cost?

ESLint is completely free and open-source software maintained by the OpenJS Foundation. The project accepts voluntary donations from sponsors.

Source
Nessus: What is the difference between Nessus Professional and Expert?

Nessus Expert costs $6,790 per year for a 1-year license (compared to $4,790 for Professional) and includes enhanced capabilities. Multi-year rates are available at discounted prices.

Source
ESLint: Can I write custom ESLint rules?

Yes. You can develop custom rules that work alongside built-in functionality through ESLint's plugin system, allowing complete customization for your project needs.

Source
Nessus: Does Nessus offer optional support or training?

Yes, Nessus offers add-on services: Advanced Support at $400/year provides 24x365 access to phone, email, community, and chat support. On-Demand Training costs $275/year for Fundamentals course access or $385/year for both Fundamentals and Advanced courses.

Source
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