Tenable Nessus vs Kaspersky Total Security

A comprehensive head-to-head comparison of two leading security & cybersecurity solutions in 2026. Compare features, pricing, ratings, and more to find the right fit.

Quick Verdict

Choose Tenable Nessus if you need Network scanning and prefer a free starting option. Choose Kaspersky Total Security if you prioritize Real-time protection and want plans starting at $49.99/year. Tenable Nessus has a higher user rating (4.7 vs 4.6).

Tenable Nessus vs Kaspersky Total Security: At a Glance

CriteriaTenable NessusKaspersky Total Security
User Rating
4.7
4.6
PricingFree$49.99/year
Pricing Modelsubscriptionsubscription
Free Plan
PlatformsWindows, Linux, Macos, CloudWeb, Desktop, Mobile
CategorySecurity & CybersecuritySecurity & Cybersecurity
Founded20021997

Feature Comparison: Tenable Nessus vs Kaspersky Total Security

FeatureTenable NessusKaspersky Total Security
Network scanning
Vulnerability detection
Configuration assessment
Malware detection
Compliance checking
Cloud security assessment
Mobile scanning
API access
AWS
Azure
Google Cloud
Splunk
ServiceNow
Jira
SOC2 Type 2
Real-time protection
Ransomware protection
Safe Money
Privacy protection
Parental controls
Password manager
VPN
File encryption
Windows Security
macOS
Browser extensions
AV-TEST Certified
AV-Comparatives Certified
Cloud deployment
Web support

Tenable Nessus vs Kaspersky Total Security: Pricing Breakdown

Tenable Nessus Pricing

Model: subscription

Nessus EssentialsFree
  • Up to 16 ips
  • Network scanning
  • Vulnerability assessment
  • Free forever
Nessus Professional$2600/year
  • Unlimited targets
  • Enterprise features
  • Advanced analytics
Nessus Expert$5200/year
  • All Professional features
  • Cloud integration
  • Advanced reporting

Kaspersky Total Security Pricing

Model: subscription

Kaspersky Anti-Virus$29.99/year
  • 3 PCs
  • Real-time protection
  • Virus removal
  • Performance optimization
Kaspersky Internet Security$39.99/year
  • 3 Devices
  • All Anti-Virus features
  • Safe Money
  • Privacy protection
Kaspersky Total Security$49.99/year
  • 5 Devices
  • All Internet Security features
  • Password Manager
  • Parental Controls

Pros and Cons

Tenable Nessus

Pros

  • Highly rated by users (4.7/5)
  • Free plan available to get started
  • Available on 4 platforms (Windows, Linux, Macos, Cloud)
  • Rich feature set with 15+ capabilities
  • Strong Network scanning functionality
  • Strong Vulnerability detection functionality

Cons

  • May require time to learn advanced features

Kaspersky Total Security

Pros

  • Highly rated by users (4.6/5)
  • Available on 3 platforms (Web, Desktop, Mobile)
  • Rich feature set with 15+ capabilities
  • Strong Real-time protection functionality
  • Strong Ransomware protection functionality

Cons

  • No free plan available
  • May require time to learn advanced features

Who Should Use Tenable Nessus vs Kaspersky Total Security?

Choose Tenable Nessus if you:

  • Need Network scanning
  • Want to start for free
  • Work primarily on Windows and Linux
  • Value Vulnerability detection
View Tenable Nessus Details

Choose Kaspersky Total Security if you:

  • Need Real-time protection
  • Have a budget of $49.99/year+
  • Work primarily on Web and Desktop
  • Value Ransomware protection
View Kaspersky Total Security Details

Frequently Asked Questions: Tenable Nessus vs Kaspersky Total Security

Is Tenable Nessus better than Kaspersky Total Security?

It depends on your needs. Tenable Nessus has a 4.7/5 user rating while Kaspersky Total Security has 4.6/5. Tenable Nessus excels in Network scanning and Vulnerability detection, while Kaspersky Total Security stands out with Real-time protection and Ransomware protection. Consider your budget (Free vs $49.99/year), platform needs, and specific feature requirements.

Which is cheaper, Tenable Nessus or Kaspersky Total Security?

Tenable Nessus offers a free plan and starts at Free. Kaspersky Total Security starts at $49.99/year. Tenable Nessus has a clear pricing advantage with its free tier.

Can I use Tenable Nessus and Kaspersky Total Security together?

While both are security & cybersecurity tools, some teams use complementary software together. Check each product's API and integration capabilities for compatibility. However, most users find that one solution covers their core security & cybersecurity needs.

What are the main differences between Tenable Nessus and Kaspersky Total Security?

The key differences include: pricing model (subscription vs subscription), platform support (Windows, Linux, Macos, Cloud vs Web, Desktop, Mobile), and feature focus. Tenable Nessus emphasizes Network scanning, Vulnerability detection, Configuration assessment while Kaspersky Total Security focuses on Real-time protection, Ransomware protection, Safe Money. User ratings differ slightly: 4.7 vs 4.6 out of 5.

Ready to choose?

Explore detailed reviews, user ratings, and pricing for both Tenable Nessus and Kaspersky Total Security.

Tenable Nessus vs Kaspersky Total Security: Compared [2026] | Softwr