Security & Cybersecurity · head to head
Kaspersky Total Security vs Tenable Nessus
Kaspersky Total Security
Security & Cybersecurity
Complete protection for your digital life
- From
- Free
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: Kaspersky Total Security uS sales banned since June 2024 with support ending September 29, 2024; Tenable Nessus nessus Professional is $4,790 for one year, sold as an annual licence rather than a per scan or usage based fee
- They diverge on capability: Kaspersky Total Security covers Real-time protection, Tenable Nessus covers Network scanning.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which Kaspersky Total Security and Tenable Nessus actually diverge.
| Attribute | Kaspersky Total Security | Tenable Nessus |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Unknown | subscription |
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android | Windows, Linux, Macos, Cloud |
| Founded | 1997 | 2002 |
Identical on both: starting price (Free), free tier (Yes), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Security & Cybersecurity).
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 Kaspersky Total Security
- Real-time protection
- Ransomware protection
- Safe Money
- Privacy protection
- Parental controls
- Password manager
- VPN
- File encryption
Only in Tenable Nessus
- Network scanning
- Vulnerability detection
- Configuration assessment
- Malware detection
- Compliance checking
- Cloud security assessment
- Mobile scanning
- API access
Both cover
- Cloud deployment
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
Kaspersky Total Security
- Antivirusnot Tenable Nessus
- Internet Securitynot Tenable Nessus
- Parental Controlnot Tenable Nessus
Tenable Nessus
- Vulnerability scanning of servers, network devices and web applicationsnot Kaspersky Total Security
- Configuration and compliance auditing against hardening benchmarksnot Kaspersky Total Security
- Point in time assessments by consultants and penetration testersnot Kaspersky Total Security
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
Kaspersky Total Security
- US sales banned since June 2024 with support ending September 29, 2024
- VPN limited to 200 MB per day and servers in only 24 countries
- Password manager has privacy concerns with questionable terms and policies
- VPN and password manager only included in Plus and Premium tiers, not in Standard
- Occasionally flags legitimate files as false positives
- Firewall leaves open ports on public networks
Tenable Nessus
- Nessus Professional is $4,790 for one year, sold as an annual licence rather than a per scan or usage based fee
- Support beyond the base entitlement costs an extra $400 per year for Advanced Support with 24x365 phone and chat access
- The on demand training course is a separate $275 purchase for a single person for one year
- Multi year discounts require paying for two or three years up front
Pricing, plan by plan
Kaspersky Total Security
Free- FreeFree
- Basic antivirus
- No real-time protection
- Standard$38.99/year
- Antivirus
- Firewall
- Anti-phishing
- Plus$52.99/year
- Standard features
- Password manager
- VPN with limit
- Premium$74.99/year
- Plus features
- Identity protection
- Unlimited VPN
Tenable Nessus
Free- Nessus EssentialsFree
- Up to 16 ips
- Network scanning
- Vulnerability assessment
- Nessus Professional$2600/year
- Unlimited targets
- Enterprise features
- Advanced analytics
- Nessus Expert$5200/year
- All Professional features
- Cloud integration
- Advanced reporting
Which should you pick?
Choose Kaspersky Total Security if
- You need real-time protection.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android.
- You also want ransomware protection.
Choose Tenable Nessus if
- You need network scanning.
- You want to start without paying.
- You work on Windows, Linux, Macos, Cloud.
- You also want vulnerability detection.
Questions people ask
- Is Kaspersky Total Security or Tenable Nessus better?
- Neither clearly leads. Kaspersky Total Security starts at Free and Tenable Nessus at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, Kaspersky Total Security or Tenable Nessus?
- Kaspersky Total Security starts at Free and Tenable Nessus at Free.
- Does Kaspersky Total Security or Tenable Nessus run on more platforms?
- Kaspersky Total Security runs on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android. Tenable Nessus runs on Windows, Linux, Macos, Cloud.
- Can I use Kaspersky Total Security for free?
- Both have a free tier, so you can try either at no cost before committing.
- What is Kaspersky Total Security best used for?
- Kaspersky Total Security is most often used for antivirus, internet security, parental control. Of those, antivirus and internet security are not what Tenable Nessus is typically brought in for.
- What can Kaspersky Total Security do that Tenable Nessus cannot?
- Kaspersky Total Security covers Real-time protection, Ransomware protection, Safe Money, Privacy protection. Tenable Nessus covers Network scanning, Vulnerability detection, Configuration assessment, Malware detection. Both handle Cloud deployment.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Kaspersky Total Security: What does Kaspersky Total Security include?
Kaspersky Total Security (Premium tier) includes antivirus, firewall, password manager, VPN with 200 MB daily limit, parental controls (Kaspersky Safe Kids), and anti-ransomware protection.
SourceKaspersky Total Security: How much does Kaspersky Total Security cost?
Kaspersky Standard costs $38.99/year for 3 devices. Plus tier is $52.99/year for 5 devices. Premium is $74.99/year for 10 devices. Multi-year discounts available.
SourceKaspersky Total Security: Is Kaspersky available in the United States?
No. The U.S. government banned Kaspersky software sales in June 2024, with support and software updates ceasing September 29, 2024, citing national security concerns regarding Russian government ties.
SourceKaspersky Total Security: Does Kaspersky have parental controls?
Yes. Premium and Plus tiers include one year free access to Kaspersky Safe Kids parental controls app, which provides activity reports, app monitoring, usage limits, and geo-fencing with location tracking.
SourceKaspersky Total Security: How much does the VPN provide?
Kaspersky's free VPN (Kaspersky Secure Connection) offers only 200 MB per day of traffic, limiting data usage. Full VPN is included in Plus and Premium plans but with limited servers in only 24 countries.
SourceRelated pages
More on Kaspersky Total Security
More on Tenable Nessus
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