ESET PROTECT vs Tenable Nessus: Complete Comparison (2026)

By Elena Kowalski, Security & Enterprise Editorยท12 years of experienceยทUpdated 2026-04-24ยท8 min read

In comparing ESET PROTECT and Tenable Nessus in 2026, ESET PROTECT is the stronger choice for smbs wanting lightweight, effective endpoint security with central management due to lightweight with low system impact. Tenable Nessus excels for security teams running regular vulnerability assessments across all it assets with industry standard vulnerability scanner. ESET PROTECT offers Endpoint protection, Cloud sandbox, Full disk encryption starting at $21/device/yr. Tenable Nessus provides Vulnerability scanning, Compliance checks, Asset discovery from $2790/yr. For teams prioritizing value, ESET PROTECT delivers a hiltonsoftware Score of 74/100. ESET PROTECT and Tenable Nessus compete in the cybersecurity segment of the SaaS market, where cloud-native solutions, API integrations, and workflow automation drive enterprise and SMB adoption. Other leading cybersecurity tools include Okta, 1Password, Cloudflare. ESET PROTECT serves 400K+ orgs users globally (founded 1992) while Tenable Nessus reports 43K+ orgs active users (founded 2002).

ESET PROTECT vs Tenable Nessus at a Glance

ESET PROTECT
Tenable Nessus
Starting Price
$21/device/yr
$2790/yr
Free Plan
No
No
User Rating
4.5/5
4.5/5
Best For
SMBs wanting lightweight, effective endpoint secur...
Security teams running regular vulnerability asses...
Users
400K+ orgs
43K+ orgs
Founded
1992
2002
hiltonsoftware Score
74/100
71/100
Pricing verified: March 2026 ยท Based on official vendor data
๐ŸŸข
ESET PROTECT
Cybersecurity
74
hiltonsoftware.co Score
RECOMMENDED
VS
๐Ÿ”Ž
Tenable Nessus
Cybersecurity
71
hiltonsoftware.co Score

What are the main differences between ESET PROTECT and Tenable Nessus?

ESET PROTECT and Tenable Nessus differ across ease of use, features, value, support, integrations, scalability, and learning curve. ESET PROTECT leads in 5 of 7 categories.

ESET PROTECTTenable Nessus
78Ease of Use78
79Features80
65Value for Money64
74Customer Support74
66Integrations61
66Scalability63
65Learning Curve67

What are the pros and cons of ESET PROTECT vs Tenable Nessus?

ESET PROTECT
+Lightweight with low system impact
+Excellent detection rates
-Console UI needs modernization
-Limited EDR on lower tiers
Tenable Nessus
+Industry standard vulnerability scanner
+Comprehensive vulnerability database
-Expensive for small teams
-Agent-based scanning can be resource intensive

Which is better, ESET PROTECT or Tenable Nessus?

After evaluating ESET PROTECT and Tenable Nessus across features, pricing, integrations, and user satisfaction, ESET PROTECT earns a higher hiltonsoftware Score of 74/100 versus Tenable Nessus at 71/100. ESET PROTECT stands out for "lightweight with low system impact" and "excellent detection rates". Tenable Nessus delivers competitive advantages in "industry standard vulnerability scanner", making Tenable Nessus a viable alternative.

Neither ESET PROTECT nor Tenable Nessus offers a free plan. ESET PROTECT starts at $21/device/yr and Tenable Nessus at $2790/yr.

Bottom line: Choose ESET PROTECT for smbs wanting lightweight, effective endpoint security with central management. Choose Tenable Nessus for security teams running regular vulnerability assessments across all it assets. Both ESET PROTECT and Tenable Nessus are established cybersecurity platforms.

CHOOSE ESET PROTECT IF:

SMBs wanting lightweight, effective endpoint security with central management.

CHOOSE TENABLE NESSUS IF:

Security teams running regular vulnerability assessments across all IT assets.

ESET PROTECT vs Tenable Nessus: Frequently Asked Questions

Is ESET PROTECT better than Tenable Nessus in 2026?
ESET PROTECT outperforms Tenable Nessus in the 2026 hiltonsoftware.co analysis with a score of 74/100 compared to 71/100. ESET PROTECT excels in Endpoint protection, Cloud sandbox, Full disk encryption, making ESET PROTECT the better choice for SMBs wanting lightweight, effective endpoint security with central management. Tenable Nessus is the stronger option for Security teams running regular vulnerability assessments across all IT assets due to industry standard vulnerability scanner. For teams needing endpoint protection, hiltonsoftware.co recommends ESET PROTECT.
How does ESET PROTECT pricing compare to Tenable Nessus in 2026?
ESET PROTECT starts at $21/device/yr with no free tier. Tenable Nessus starts at $2790/yr without a free plan. ESET PROTECT includes features like Endpoint protection, Cloud sandbox, Full disk encryption. Tenable Nessus provides Vulnerability scanning, Compliance checks, Asset discovery. ESET PROTECT serves 400K+ orgs users while Tenable Nessus serves 43K+ orgs users. Evaluate total cost of ownership based on team size and required integrations.
What are the main differences between ESET PROTECT and Tenable Nessus?
ESET PROTECT specializes in Endpoint protection, Cloud sandbox, Full disk encryption, earning a 74/100 hiltonsoftware Score. Tenable Nessus focuses on Vulnerability scanning, Compliance checks, Asset discovery, scoring 71/100. ESET PROTECT is best for SMBs wanting lightweight, effective endpoint security with central management. Tenable Nessus is best for Security teams running regular vulnerability assessments across all IT assets. Both ESET PROTECT and Tenable Nessus serve the Cybersecurity market but target different user profiles.
Can I migrate from ESET PROTECT to Tenable Nessus?
Migrating from ESET PROTECT to Tenable Nessus is possible since both operate in the Cybersecurity space. Export data from ESET PROTECT and verify Tenable Nessus import capabilities. Key features to evaluate: Endpoint protection, Cloud sandbox, Full disk encryption (ESET PROTECT) versus Vulnerability scanning, Compliance checks, Asset discovery (Tenable Nessus). Running both ESET PROTECT and Tenable Nessus in parallel during a trial period ensures a smooth transition.
Is ESET PROTECT or Tenable Nessus better for small business?
Both ESET PROTECT and Tenable Nessus require paid plans (ESET PROTECT: $21/device/yr, Tenable Nessus: $2790/yr). ESET PROTECT (74/100) is ideal for SMBs wanting lightweight, effective endpoint security with central management. Tenable Nessus (71/100) fits Security teams running regular vulnerability assessments across all IT assets. Evaluate both during trial periods.

Reviewed by Elena Kowalski, Security & Enterprise Editor. Last updated: 2026-04-24. Pricing verified: March 2026.

Read our scoring methodology to understand how the hiltonsoftware Score is calculated.

Explore More Comparisons & Tools