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Cybersecurity · head to head

Nessus vs SAS

Nessus logo

Nessus

Cybersecurity

The most trusted vulnerability assessment solution

From
$4790/year
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
SAS logo

SAS

Machine Learning

Analytics, AI and data management software

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only SAS has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Nessus nessus Professional is $4,790 for one year, with no free or low cost commercial tier; SAS sAS publishes no rate, no minimum and no named cost driver; the how to buy page offers only a customized price quote based on your requirements and deployment preferences
  • They diverge on capability: Nessus covers Vulnerability scanning, SAS covers Statistical analysis.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Nessus and SAS actually diverge.

Attributes where Nessus and SAS differ
AttributeNessusSAS
Starting price$4790/yearFree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsDesktop, ApiLinux, Windows, Web
CategoryCybersecurityMachine Learning
Founded20021976

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), 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 Nessus

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

Only in SAS

  • Statistical analysis
  • Machine learning
  • Forecasting
  • Text analytics
  • Optimization
  • Python
  • R
  • Hadoop

What people use each for

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

Nessus

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

SAS

  • Regulated statistical analysis and clinical reportingnot Nessus
  • Enterprise data management, visualization and decisioning on one licensed platformnot Nessus

Where each one falls short

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

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

SAS

  • SAS publishes no rate, no minimum and no named cost driver; the how to buy page offers only a customized price quote based on your requirements and deployment preferences
  • Most new and existing customers are routed through authorized resellers rather than buying direct
  • Cloud marketplace purchases require choosing between pay as you go and bring your own licence, each with different licensing terms

Pricing, plan by plan

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

SAS

Free
  • SAS OnDemand for AcademicsFree
    • Academic use
    • Core SAS
  • SAS ViyaFree
    • Full platform
    • Cloud-native
    • AI/ML

Which should you pick?

Choose Nessus if

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

Choose SAS if

  • You need statistical analysis.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Linux, Windows, Web.
  • You also want machine learning.
SAS review

Questions people ask

Is Nessus or SAS better?
Neither clearly leads. Nessus starts at $4790/year and SAS at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Nessus or SAS?
SAS has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $4790/year for Nessus and Free for SAS.
Does Nessus or SAS run on more platforms?
Nessus runs on Desktop, Api. SAS runs on Linux, Windows, Web.
Can I use SAS for free?
Yes. SAS has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Nessus starts at $4790/year.
What is Nessus best used for?
Nessus is most often used for vulnerability scanning for individual practitioners, enterprise vulnerability management, web application security assessments. Of those, vulnerability scanning for individual practitioners and enterprise vulnerability management are not what SAS is typically brought in for.
What can Nessus do that SAS cannot?
Nessus covers Vulnerability scanning, Configuration auditing, Malware detection, Web application scanning. SAS covers Statistical analysis, Machine learning, Forecasting, Text analytics.

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
SAS: Does SAS offer a free trial?

Yes, SAS offers a free trial through a private trial environment for SAS Viya. Interested customers can request access by submitting a trial form on their website.

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
SAS: How does SAS price its software?

SAS does not publish standard pricing on its website. Instead, it uses a custom enterprise sales model where customers can choose between paying as-you-go or purchasing SAS Viya Enterprise. Specific pricing must be requested directly from their sales team.

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
SAS: What are my pricing options?

SAS offers flexible purchasing models including pay-as-you-go and enterprise licensing options. The company states they can help you find the environment that fits your needs, but specific terms must be discussed with sales.

Source
SAS: How do I get a pricing quote?

You can request pricing through their website by using the quote request form, requesting a customized demo, or contacting their sales team directly.

Source
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