OpenVAS Pricing 2026: Plans, Costs & Free Options
Last Updated: May 2026
Open-source vulnerability scanner with comprehensive network vulnerability tests and compliance checks. This page breaks down OpenVAS's Free/OSS pricing model, what it includes, and how it compares to free alternatives in the Vulnerability Management category.
Pricing Overview
Pricing Model
Free/OSS
This means the tool is free to use and typically open-source — you self-host it, customize it, and pay nothing for the software itself.
Is OpenVAS Free?
Yes, OpenVAS is completely free and open-source. You can download, use, and modify it without paying any license fees.
Is OpenVAS Worth It?
OpenVAS is rated 4.2/5 in our Vulnerability Management directory and is completely free, which makes it an easy recommendation for any team that can self-host and manage their own deployment. You get full functionality without licensing costs, though you trade vendor support for community forums and documentation. For Vulnerability Management workflows, OpenVAS delivers strong value, especially for individuals, students, and budget-conscious teams. The main consideration is operational overhead — you own the install, updates, and tuning. If your team has the technical capacity, OpenVAS is well worth adopting.
Cheaper Alternatives
If OpenVAS's pricing is out of budget, these Vulnerability Management tools offer free or freemium options:
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Nuclei Scanner
Free/OSS
Fast open-source vulnerability scanner with template-based detection and community contributions.
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Censys ASM
Freemium
Attack surface management platform with continuous internet-wide scanning and asset discovery.
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Vicarius vRx
Freemium
Autonomous vulnerability remediation platform using AI-generated patchless protection scripts
Compare
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does OpenVAS cost?
OpenVAS uses a Free/OSS pricing model. This means the tool is free to use and typically open-source — you self-host it, customize it, and pay nothing for the software itself. For exact current pricing, visit the OpenVAS website directly — vendors update tiers and quotas regularly.
Is there a free version of OpenVAS?
Yes, OpenVAS is completely free and open-source. You can download, use, and modify it without paying any license fees.
What are cheaper alternatives to OpenVAS?
In the Vulnerability Management category, the most popular free or freemium alternatives are Nuclei Scanner, Censys ASM, Vicarius vRx. Each offers a comparable feature set at lower or zero cost — see our /alternatives page for full breakdowns.