Burp Suite vs Nessus

The Swiss Army knife for web app hackers meets the vulnerability scanner that makes you feel both secure and slightly paranoid about your entire network. Here's our take.

Burp Suite

Nice Pick

The Swiss Army knife for web app hackers. It'll find your SQL injections before you even know they exist.

Pros

• Integrated proxy for real-time traffic interception and manipulation
• Powerful automated scanner that catches common vulnerabilities like XSS and CSRF
• Extensible with a rich plugin ecosystem for custom testing workflows

Cons

• Professional version is expensive and the free Community Edition is limited
• Steep learning curve with a cluttered interface that can overwhelm beginners

Nessus

The vulnerability scanner that makes you feel both secure and slightly paranoid about your entire network.

Pros

• Extensive vulnerability database with frequent updates
• Detailed reports with actionable remediation steps
• Supports compliance scanning for standards like PCI DSS and HIPAA

Cons

• Can be resource-intensive and slow on large networks
• Licensing costs add up quickly for enterprise use

The Verdict

Use Burp Suite if: You want integrated proxy for real-time traffic interception and manipulation and can live with professional version is expensive and the free community edition is limited.

Use Nessus if: You prioritize extensive vulnerability database with frequent updates over what Burp Suite offers.

The Bottom Line

Burp Suite wins

The Swiss Army knife for web app hackers. It'll find your SQL injections before you even know they exist.