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Micro Focus Data Protector vs Nessus

Micro Focus Data Protector logo

Micro Focus Data Protector

Backup

Enterprise backup for multi-platform environments

From
$75/month
Free plan
No
Visit Micro Focus Data ProtectorFull review
Nessus logo

Nessus

Cybersecurity

Vulnerability assessment solution

From
$4790/year
Free plan
No
Visit NessusFull review

The short version

  • Micro Focus Data Protector starts at $75/mo, Nessus at $4790/yr.
  • Only Micro Focus Data Protector lists zero downtime backup; only Nessus lists vulnerability scanning.
  • Where Nessus falls short: Nessus Professional is $4,790 for one year, with no free or low cost commercial tier.
  • Prices and features on this page were last checked on 13 November 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Micro Focus Data Protector and Nessus actually diverge.

Attributes where Micro Focus Data Protector and Nessus differ
AttributeMicro Focus Data ProtectorNessus
Starting price$75/month$4790/year
PlatformsWindows, Linux, WebWindows, macOS, API
CategoryBackupCybersecurity
Founded19762002

Identical on both: pricing model (Subscription), free tier (No).

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 Micro Focus Data Protector

  • Zero downtime backup
  • Instant recovery
  • Application integration
  • Synthetic full backup
  • Granular recovery
  • Centralized management
  • VMware
  • Hyper-V

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.

Micro Focus Data Protector

  • Data protectionnot Nessus
  • Disaster recoverynot Nessus
  • Business continuitynot Nessus
  • Ransomware protectionnot Nessus
  • Compliancenot Nessus

Nessus

  • Vulnerability scanning for individual practitionersnot Micro Focus Data Protector
  • Enterprise vulnerability managementnot Micro Focus Data Protector
  • Web application security assessmentsnot Micro Focus Data Protector

Where each one falls short

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

Micro Focus Data Protector

  • Micro Focus Data Protector was rebranded to OpenText Data Protector following the OpenText acquisition of Micro Focus; the vendor's own product pages carry no published pricing at either name (Internet Archive capture, 10 January 2022, and live site check)

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

Micro Focus Data Protector

$75/month
  • Data Protector$75/mo
    • Zero downtime backup
    • Instant recovery
    • Multi-platform

Nessus

$4790/year
  • Nessus Professional$4,790/yr
    • 1 year license
    • Best for individual security professionals
  • Nessus Professional 2-Year$9,330.95/2 years
    • 2 year license with discounted rate vs. annual
  • Nessus Professional 3-Year$13,637.54/3 years
    • 3 year license with discounted rate vs. annual
  • Nessus Expert$6,790/yr
    • 1 year license
    • Enhanced capabilities vs. Professional

Which should you pick?

Choose Micro Focus Data Protector if

  • You need zero downtime backup.
  • You work on Windows, Linux, Web.
  • You also want instant recovery.
Micro Focus Data Protector review

Choose Nessus if

  • You need vulnerability scanning.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, API.
  • You also want configuration auditing.
Nessus review

Questions people ask

Is Micro Focus Data Protector or Nessus better?
Neither clearly leads. Micro Focus Data Protector starts at $75/month and Nessus at $4790/year, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Micro Focus Data Protector or Nessus?
Micro Focus Data Protector starts at $75/month and Nessus at $4790/year.
Does Micro Focus Data Protector or Nessus run on more platforms?
Micro Focus Data Protector runs on Windows, Linux, Web. Nessus runs on Windows, macOS, API.
What is Micro Focus Data Protector best used for?
Micro Focus Data Protector is most often used for data protection, disaster recovery, business continuity, ransomware protection. Of those, data protection and disaster recovery are not what Nessus is typically brought in for.
What can Micro Focus Data Protector do that Nessus cannot?
Micro Focus Data Protector covers Zero downtime backup, Instant recovery, Application integration, Synthetic full backup. Nessus covers Vulnerability scanning, Configuration auditing, Malware detection, Web application scanning.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

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
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
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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