HackerOne vs Tenable Nessus comparison

HackerOne and Tenable are both solutions in the Vulnerability Management category. HackerOne is ranked #30 with an average rating of 8.3, while Tenable is ranked #2 with an average rating of 8.6. HackerOne holds a 0.7% mindshare in VM, compared to Tenable’s 5.1% mindshare. Additionally, 88% of HackerOne users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 98% of Tenable users who would recommend it.

HackerOne

Read 7 HackerOne reviews

4,032 Views
605 Comparison Views

88% willing to recommend

Tenable Nessus

Read 87 Tenable Nessus reviews

9,719 Views
8,844 Comparison Views

98% willing to recommend

HackerOne

Tenable Nessus

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Dec 28, 2025

HackerOne and Tenable Nessus are competitors in vulnerability management. HackerOne excels in community engagement, while Tenable Nessus stands out with comprehensive security scanning and superior features.

Features: HackerOne connects businesses with security researchers to facilitate collaborative bug bounty programs, provides access to third-party integrations like payment systems and project management tools, and offers a simple user interface for easy program filtering. Tenable Nessus is recognized for its robust scanning capabilities, comprehensive vulnerability databases, and predictive vulnerability prioritization for effective assessments.

Room for Improvement: HackerOne could improve its automated features and increase the depth of its vulnerability assessments, focus more on real-time analytics, and enhance its support for diverse vulnerability categories. Tenable Nessus might benefit from refining the user interface for a smoother experience, expanding its integration capabilities, and reducing the learning curve for new users.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: HackerOne focuses on seamless integration with various workflows and robust support through its network of security professionals. Tenable Nessus offers straightforward deployment options with reliable customer service, making it easy for organizations with limited security resources to set up and manage.

Pricing and ROI: HackerOne features a flexible pricing model that increases perceived ROI via its bug bounty approach. Tenable Nessus presents a one-time setup fee with additional licensing costs, ensuring cost-effective, long-term ROI through extensive vulnerability management solutions.

To learn more, read our detailed HackerOne vs. Tenable Nessus Report (Updated: December 2025).

Buyer's Guide

HackerOne vs. Tenable Nessus

December 2025

Download the complete report

Helped 881,665 peers since 2012

Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Categories and Ranking

HackerOne

Ranking in Vulnerability Management

30th

Average Rating

8.6

Reviews Sentiment

6.5

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Application Security Tools (19th), Bug Bounty Platforms (2nd), Penetration Testing Services (2nd), Attack Surface Management (ASM) (8th), AI Observability (10th)

Tenable Nessus

Ranking in Vulnerability Management

2nd

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

6.0

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of February 2026, in the Vulnerability Management category, the mindshare of HackerOne is 0.7%, up from 0.2% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Tenable Nessus is 5.1%, down from 10.3% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Vulnerability Management Market Share Distribution
Product	Market Share (%)
Tenable Nessus	5.1%
HackerOne	0.7%
Other	94.2%

Vulnerability Management

Featured Reviews

Ruphus Muita

Senior ICT Security Consultant at Applied Principles Limited

Has improved my motivation to submit bugs consistently through fast response and clear filtering

I think HackerOne can be improved by allowing new users to gain access to certain programs that are only open to known, renowned users. Sometimes new users don't receive invites just because they are new, despite potentially being very skilled hackers, so I feel new users should get more chances and opportunities. I am currently satisfied with the rewards, response time, and other aspects of the platform, so I don't have anything else to add about the necessary improvements. I give HackerOne a nine out of ten because if new hackers are given more opportunities, it could be a perfect 10 for me. However, the reason I gave a nine is that I don't have much to complain about; I specifically love the program and don't have many concerns.

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MohammedJaffir

Founder at Cipheroot

Has enabled me to reduce false positives and perform deep credential auditing with seamless integrations

I mostly use the configuration audit feature for the audit configuration as a scan policy, and I will use it for credential audit, which helps me scan credentials access such as local administrator or root access, performing a deeper and more accurate check of local configuration settings and file systems, making it a highly recommended feature. Regarding integration capabilities, we can integrate Tenable Nessus with SIM tools such as Splunk, IBM QRadar, and Azure Sentinel, as well as with ticketing systems such as ServiceNow, Jira, and Slack. There is no complexity as it is very easy to integrate everything. In terms of the reporting feature, while vulnerability scanning can throw some false positives, Tenable Nessus has very few, achieving a reduction of 75% to 80% false positives with manual analysis needed. We can generate standard Nessus reports that typically include host summaries and vulnerabilities by host and plugin, alongside solutions and remediation recommendations. The main benefits I get from Tenable Nessus are complete asset inventory and comprehensive attack surface management, allowing us to prioritize vulnerabilities based on risk, focusing on true risk and threat path analysis.

Read full review

Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"HackerOne is larger than WebCloud and has a better reputation than BugCloud, which results in a smoother process."

"The most valuable feature of HackerOne is its variety of programs. These programs provide depth into various areas, such as mobile, API, and websites."

"HackerOne has been the right fit for our current situation from both a functionality and cost-effectiveness perspective."

"It helps me to get new sales, profits, and other benefits."

"Apart from getting all the bug bounty opportunities, we also get the chance to practice in a safe environment, like a demo setup. These features are great for beginners who want to explore bug bounties in the future."

"The fast verification process impacts my motivation significantly because a quick response keeps me motivated, and if I'm going to try and hunt bugs today, I would appreciate a response within the day or at least within a few days."

"The support has been really cooperative."

"My favorite part about Nessus is that you can customize the tool to scan exactly what you want. Microsoft releases new patches monthly on Patch Tuesday, and a lot of companies track that date. I set up Nessus for the day after Patch Tuesday to see which devices have already pushed those updates from Microsoft, so we can stay updated."

"The most valuable features of Tenable Nessus are the scanning option. Advanced scanning is highly useful. The offline config audits and application assessments are useful."

"It provides multiple recommendations towards the remedy of vulnerabilities."

"The main benefits I get from Tenable Nessus are complete asset inventory and comprehensive attack surface management, allowing us to prioritize vulnerabilities based on risk, focusing on true risk and threat path analysis."

"The most valuable feature of Tenable Nessus is vulnerability assessments. There are a lot of threats around the world and this solution is the first to come out with detection rules."

"The features of Tenable Nessus that I have found most valuable are its reliability and its ability to collate a dependable output, where we are able to get the same vulnerability when we test manually. The output is quite reliable."

"Its initial setup was simple and straightforward."

More Tenable Nessus pros

Cons

"Response time can be improved. The HackerOne Trust team can be slow to respond sometimes. They're not using AI, which could help reduce the number of duplicate reports."

"One issue I've experienced is traffic. Many people try to participate when an opportunity with a bounty of around 1,000-15,000 dollars comes up. In this case, the first person to report the vulnerability gets the bounty. If a second person reports the same vulnerability, they are marked as duplicated instead of receiving some recognition. The second person also invested time finding the issue, so I think this can be improved."

"The ability to view the conversation between the triagers and the programs will be really good."

"Everything has become slower on HackerOne."

"One limitation is that if a finding has been reported on HackerOne and was also reported earlier by another user or outsider, the platform is not able to collate that information together."

"Everything has become slower on HackerOne. I have noticed that older researchers receive all the private invites while newer ones receive fewer."

"Sometimes new users don't receive invites just because they are new, despite potentially being very skilled hackers, so I feel new users should get more chances and opportunities."

"Pricing is one of the most important features, and it is something that they can improve on."

"To be honest, I haven't used it much to tell you that these are the things that should be improved. But I believe the UI should be enhanced somewhat. For example, there are two ways to find a report, and people are frequently confused as to which is the correct method for locating a full report. Sometimes they go in the opposite direction, so this is an area that may be improved."

"I would like to see an improvement in the ranking of high, medium and low vulnerability."

"Tenable Nessus could improve the reporting by adding some dashboards. The reports are a hassle at this time. Tenable.io has more detailed reports. Having a better dashboard that can show where the vulnerabilities are and be categorized would be helpful. We then could present them to upper management for a deep overview of our network posture which they do not see."

"The solution could improve security updates."

"The reports should be improved in Tenable Nessus. For example, when you are auditing compliance with CIS standards. It provides very poor reports."

"The problems I faced with Tenable Nessus were related to its dashboard's customization capabilities and its ability to provide data to third-party sources."

"The tool needs to upgrade asset tracking."

More Tenable Nessus cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The solution is free."

"The tool is open-source and free for bug bounty hunters."

"We incurred a single cost for a perpetual license, although I cannot comment on the price as this is above my management level."

"The solution is worth the cost. It's a good investment."

"I think the price is fairly affordable. It provides a license that is fair."

"While Tenable Nessus is a good enterprise solution, the high price would likely make it prohibitive to smaller organizations."

"The is a free version of Tenable Nessus available."

"Our organization is huge so our license costs $30,000."

"Tenable Nessus needs to be licensed. We own a license for the security center and that license is charged by the number of IP addresses that you can scan. You're allowed to have as many scanners as you want and there's no license for the number of scanners. We have a bunch of Nessus scanners out there, and as long as we're comfortable with staying under that IP address limit, that's really all we have to be concerned about."

"There is an annual license required to use this solution."

More Tenable Nessus pricing and cost advice

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

11%

Manufacturing Company

11%

Comms Service Provider

11%

Financial Services Firm

10%

Financial Services Firm

10%

Government

10%

Manufacturing Company

10%

Computer Software Company

10%

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	4
Large Enterprise	4

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	39
Midsize Enterprise	19
Large Enterprise	35

Questions from the Community

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for HackerOne?

I have not experienced any costs since I use HackerOne independently, just logging into the site, hunting bugs, and submitting them without any expenses.

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What needs improvement with HackerOne?

See all answers

What is your primary use case for HackerOne?

My main use case for HackerOne is mostly for submitting bugs. I get into the programs listed there, find one that is suitable for me, do my penetration testing on the systems, try to bypass some co...

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How would you choose between Rapid7 InsightVM and Tenable Nessus?

You have full visibility across cloud, network, virtual, and containerized infrastructures with Rapid7 Insight VM. You can easily prioritize vulnerabilities using attacker analytics. Overall, Rapid...

See all answers

What's the difference between Tenable Nessus and Tenable.io Vulnerability Management?

Tenable Nessus is a vulnerability assessment solution that is both easy to deploy and easy to manage. The design of the program is such that if a company should desire to handle the installation t...

See all answers

What do you like most about Tenable Nessus?

We have around 500 virtual machines. Therefore, we conduct monthly scans and open tickets for our developers to address identified vulnerabilities. These scans cover the servers, other network equi...

See all answers

Comparisons

Bugcrowd vs HackerOne

Compared 38% of the time

Synack vs HackerOne

Compared 14% of the time

Intigriti vs HackerOne

Compared 8% of the time

YesWeHack vs HackerOne

Compared 8% of the time

Crowdcurity vs HackerOne

Compared 4% of the time

More HackerOne Competitors

Qualys VMDR vs Tenable Nessus

Compared 11% of the time

Rapid7 InsightVM vs Tenable Nessus

Compared 10% of the time

Microsoft Defender Vulnerability Management vs Tenable Nessus

Compared 6% of the time

Tenable Security Center vs Tenable Nessus

Compared 6% of the time

Tenable Vulnerability Management vs Tenable Nessus

Compared 5% of the time

More Tenable Nessus Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

HackerOne

January 2026

Download HackerOne product report

Buyer's Guide

Tenable Nessus

January 2026

Download Tenable Nessus product report

Also Known As

HackerOne Assets, HackerOne Pentesting Services, HackerOne Security Assessments, HackerOne Vulnerability Management

No data available

Overview

HackerOne leads in offensive security with a platform that expertly identifies and remedies security vulnerabilities using AI and a vast researcher community. Trusted by industry giants, it integrates bug bounties, vulnerability disclosure, and code security in software development.

The HackerOne Platform offers a comprehensive suite of services, combining advanced AI technology with the skills of a global security researcher community to address complex security challenges. It facilitates an understanding of vulnerabilities, promoting better remediation practices across software lifecycles. Notable clients include Anthropic, Crypto.com, General Motors, GitHub, Goldman Sachs, Uber, and U.S. Department of Defense. Recognized for innovation and workplace excellence, HackerOne continues to set standards in security solutions.

What key features does HackerOne offer?

Skilled Hacker Community: Access a large pool of expert security researchers.
Third-Party Integrations: Seamless compatibility with various tools like payment systems and project management applications.
Bug Bounty Programs: Incentivized vulnerability discovery across industries.
Direct Communication: Facilitates dialogue for better understanding of vulnerabilities.
Safe Practice Environments: Supports learning for both beginners and seasoned professionals.

Why is HackerOne beneficial for your needs?

Speed of Delivery: Quickly identifies and resolves security issues.
Responsive Support: Reliable assistance enhances user experience.
Transparency in Communication: Clear reporting processes aid in issue resolution.
Income Opportunities: Bug bounties offer financial incentives.

HackerOne finds significant applications in various sectors with its focus on vulnerability assessment, testing, and responsible disclosure. Organizations utilize it for ethical hacking and efficient vulnerability coordination, making it essential in cybersecurity strategies. The platform's reliability is evident in its ability to identify and document security threats effectively.

HackerOne

Tenable Nessus provides an efficient vulnerability management system with swift deployment and comprehensive scanning capabilities, making it an ideal choice for organizations seeking to enhance their security posture through effective threat detection and mitigation strategies.

Renowned for its top-tier vulnerability detection, Tenable Nessus offers a robust platform that integrates effortlessly across systems, enhancing threat management through automation, real-time monitoring, and customizable scanning options. Its broad asset coverage, including network devices and applications, coupled with ease of deployment, positions it as a go-to option for risk assessment and compliance. Organizations value its extensive reporting features and database, although they suggest enhancements in reporting formats and false positive detection. A more intuitive interface, improved cloud support, and competitive pricing models are sought after to cater to evolving enterprise needs.

What are the key features of Tenable Nessus?

Comprehensive Vulnerability Detection: Identifies security gaps across systems and platforms.
Remedy Recommendations: Provides actionable insights for vulnerability fixes.
Predictive Prioritization: Helps in focusing on critical vulnerabilities first.
Seamless Integration: Compatible with diverse platforms for cohesive threat management.
Automation Capabilities: Streamlines routine scans and reports.

What benefits and ROI should users look for?

Fast Setup: Quick deployment that saves time and resources.
Cost-Effective: Affordable pricing supports budget-conscious cyber strategies.
Real-Time Monitoring: Offers continuous oversight of system health.
Extensive Reports: Detailed insights enhance decision-making processes.

In industries such as finance, healthcare, and tech, Tenable Nessus is implemented for scanning internal and external networks, identifying risks, and ensuring data protection compliance. Organizations conduct regular scans to detect security vulnerabilities in servers and databases, leveraging its capabilities to strengthen their security frameworks while managing cloud infrastructures and enterprise networks efficiently.

Tenable

Sample Customers

Anthropic, Crypto.com, General Motors, GitHub, Goldman Sachs, Uber, and the U.S. Department of Defense

Bitbrains, Tesla, Just Eat, Crosskey Banking Solutions, Covenant Health, Youngstown State University

Buyer's Guide

HackerOne vs. Tenable Nessus

December 2025

Free Report: HackerOne vs. Tenable Nessus

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