Get a Tenable Nessus activation code

To get an activation code for a Tenable Nessus product, first determine which product is right for you. Next, follow the Nessus download and activation instructions provided when you start a free trial or make a purchase. The system will guide you through securing an activation code.

Nessus Professional

Vulnerability assessment solution for security professional and consultants to find and fix vulnerabilities across various operating systems, devices, and applications.

Try for free Buy now

Nessus Expert

Our most advanced vulnerability assessment solution for security teams that need to scan for vulnerabilities across a wide range of assets, including IT, cloud, containers, and web applications.

Try for free Buy now

Nessus Essentials Plus

This annual subscription is a step-up from the free license, providing a more robust set of features for individuals and students with ongoing security needs.

This version is free for verified students and educators.

Buy now I’m a student/educator

Nessus Essentials

Ideal for short-term evaluations or securing a very small network. This limited-functionality, free 30-day license provides a quick introduction to Nessus.

Register now

Nessus features comparison

All products provide accurate, high-speed asset discovery, broad vulnerability coverage, and flexible deployment options for vulnerability assessment.

Nessus Expert Nessus Professional Nessus Essentials Plus Nessus Essentials
Vulnerability scanning
Vulnerability scanning
Nessus Expert
Scan unlimited IPs for vulnerabilities
Nessus Professional
Scan unlimited IPs for vulnerabilities
Nessus Essentials Plus
Scan up to 20 IPs for vulnerabilities
Nessus Essentials
Scan up to 5 IPs for vulnerabilities
Plugin updates
Plugin updates
Nessus Expert
Real-time plugin updates
Nessus Professional
Real-time plugin updates
Nessus Essentials Plus
Real-time plugin updates
Nessus Essentials
30-day delay plugin updates
Reporting
Reporting
Nessus Expert
Configurable reporting (PDF, HTML, CSV)
Nessus Professional
Included: Configurable reporting (PDF, HTML, CSV)
Nessus Essentials Plus
Included: Basic reporting (PDF and HTML)
Nessus Essentials
Not included:
Reporting
Data export
Nessus Expert
Included:
Nessus Professional
Included:
Nessus Essentials Plus
Not included:
Nessus Essentials
Not included:
Live results
Live results
Nessus Expert
Included:
Nessus Professional
Included:
Nessus Essentials Plus
Not included:
Nessus Essentials
Not included:
Compliance checks
Compliance checks
Nessus Expert
Included:
Nessus Professional
Included:
Nessus Essentials Plus
Not included:
Nessus Essentials
Not included:
Configuration auditing
Configuration auditing
Nessus Expert
Included:
Nessus Professional
Included:
Nessus Essentials Plus
Not included:
Nessus Essentials
Not included:
Web application scanning
Web application scanning
Nessus Expert
Included:
Nessus Professional
Not included:
Nessus Essentials Plus
Not included:
Nessus Essentials
Not included:
External attack surface discovery
External attack surface discovery
Nessus Expert
Included:
Nessus Professional
Not included:
Nessus Essentials Plus
Not included:
Nessus Essentials
Not included:
Community support
Community support
Nessus Expert
Included:
Nessus Professional
Included:
Nessus Essentials Plus
Included:
Nessus Essentials
Not included:
Option to purchase advanced support
Option to purchase advanced support
Nessus Expert
Included:
Nessus Professional
Included:
Nessus Essentials Plus
Not included:
Nessus Essentials
Not included:
Purchase Options
Nessus Expert
Included:
TryBuy
Nessus Professional
Included:
TryBuy
Nessus Essentials Plus
Included:
BuyI'm a student/educator
Nessus Essentials
Included:
Register