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OpenSCAP vs Nessus: catalog facts
OpenSCAP	Nessus
Free Free and open source.	Freemium Nessus Essentials is free for up to sixteen IP addresses. Professional is a paid…
Linux, Command line	Windows, macOS, Linux
Implements the NIST SCAP standard with 2014 certification Includes community hardening guides and baselines	Very large and rapidly updated plugin library Configuration and compliance auditing alongside vulnerability scanning
Requires familiarity with SCAP policies and profiles Aimed at administrators rather than home users	Free Essentials edition is capped at sixteen IP addresses Closed source, with subscription pricing beyond the free tier
Downloadable app	Downloadable app
Open source	Closed source
License not stated	License not stated
No account needed	Not stated if an account is needed
Not stated if it works offline	Not stated if it works offline
Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 23, 2026	Official website Full listing and sources Checked September 22, 2026

Catalog facts only. Anything “not stated” is unconfirmed. Check full listings for details.