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Cybersecurity · head to head

Nessus vs Sophos Intercept X

Nessus logo

Nessus

Cybersecurity

The most trusted vulnerability assessment solution

From
$4790/year
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Sophos Intercept X logo

Sophos Intercept X

Cybersecurity

Advanced endpoint protection with deep learning

From
$28/year
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Nessus nessus Professional is $4,790 for one year, with no free or low cost commercial tier; Sophos Intercept X sophos publishes no price for endpoint protection: the product page names editions but gives no per user rate, no minimum seat count and no contract length, and routes buyers to a sales enquiry
  • They diverge on capability: Nessus covers Vulnerability scanning, Sophos Intercept X covers Deep learning AI.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 30 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Nessus and Sophos Intercept X actually diverge.

Attributes where Nessus and Sophos Intercept X differ
AttributeNessusSophos Intercept X
Starting price$4790/year$28/year
PlatformsDesktop, ApiDesktop, Mobile, Api
Founded20021985

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (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 Nessus

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

Only in Sophos Intercept X

  • Deep learning AI
  • Anti-ransomware
  • Exploit prevention
  • CryptoGuard
  • WipeGuard
  • Root cause analysis
  • Active adversary mitigation
  • Synchronized security

Both cover

  • Splunk
  • On-premise deployment
  • Cloud deployment

What people use each for

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

Nessus

  • Vulnerability scanning for individual practitionersnot Sophos Intercept X
  • Enterprise vulnerability managementnot Sophos Intercept X
  • Web application security assessmentsnot Sophos Intercept X

Sophos Intercept X

  • Endpoint protection across Windows, macOS, and Linux devicesnot Nessus
  • Ransomware detection with CryptoGuard file encryption monitoringnot Nessus
  • AI-powered zero-day exploit mitigation with 60+ proprietary techniquesnot Nessus
  • Shadow AI and generative AI tool usage control across the organizationnot Nessus
  • Mobile device encryption and managed detection and response servicesnot 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

Sophos Intercept X

  • Sophos publishes no price for endpoint protection: the product page names editions but gives no per user rate, no minimum seat count and no contract length, and routes buyers to a sales enquiry
  • Extended detection and response requires the Advanced with XDR edition rather than the base endpoint product
  • 24x7 monitored detection and response is sold as the separate Sophos MDR service on top of the endpoint licence
  • The Intercept X name has been retired in favour of Sophos Endpoint, so older documentation refers to a brand the vendor no longer uses

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

Sophos Intercept X

$28/year
  • Intercept X Essentials$28/year
    • Per user
    • Deep learning
    • Anti-ransomware
  • Intercept X Advanced$44/year
    • All Essentials features
    • Root cause analysis
    • Sophos Central
  • Intercept X with XDR$55/year
    • All Advanced features
    • Extended detection
    • Live Discover

Which should you pick?

Choose Nessus if

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

Choose Sophos Intercept X if

  • You need deep learning ai.
  • You work on Desktop, Mobile, Api.
  • You also want anti-ransomware.
Sophos Intercept X review

Questions people ask

Is Nessus or Sophos Intercept X better?
Neither clearly leads. Nessus starts at $4790/year and Sophos Intercept X at $28/year, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Nessus or Sophos Intercept X?
Nessus starts at $4790/year and Sophos Intercept X at $28/year.
Does Nessus or Sophos Intercept X run on more platforms?
Nessus runs on Desktop, Api. Sophos Intercept X runs on Desktop, Mobile, Api.
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 Sophos Intercept X is typically brought in for.
What can Nessus do that Sophos Intercept X cannot?
Nessus covers Vulnerability scanning, Configuration auditing, Malware detection, Web application scanning. Sophos Intercept X covers Deep learning AI, Anti-ransomware, Exploit prevention, CryptoGuard. Both handle Splunk, On-premise deployment, Cloud deployment.

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
Sophos Intercept X: How much does Sophos Endpoint cost?

Sophos does not publish Endpoint pricing on its website. The vendor directs customers to contact sales or request a quote for pricing.

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
Sophos Intercept X: Does Sophos Endpoint offer a free trial?

Sophos provides a free 30-day trial of Sophos Endpoint for customers with an active Sophos Fusion account. Trial activation does not require payment information.

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
Sophos Intercept X: What support levels are available for Sophos Endpoint?

Sophos Fusion customers receive 8x5 support included with subscriptions. Extended support tiers and costs are not listed on the public website.

Source
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