8 Best Vulnerability Management Solutions in 2023

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Vulnerability management software is a powerful tool that can equip businesses of all sizes to identify and fix security vulnerabilities. Businesses can protect themselves from a variety of security risks, including data breaches, malware infections, and denial-of-service attacks with vulnerability management. By automating the process of vulnerability scanning, assessment, and prioritization, these tools allow organizations to save time and money.

Vulnerability management solutions also help businesses comply with industry regulations and standards, such as the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS). This software empowers businesses to protect their data, customers, and reputations.

Here are our recommendations for the best vulnerability management solutions in 2023:

Featured Vulnerability Management Software

Top vulnerability management software comparison

The comparison table below shows the top vulnerability management solutions today. It presents an overview of their core features, integration capabilities, user-friendliness, and scalability:

SpeedAccuracyRemediation automationThird-party integrationEase of useScalabilityStarting price
ManageEngine Vulnerability Manager PlusExcellentHighAbove-averageDecentEffortlessHighFree, or $695/yr for 100 devices
GFI LanGuardExcellentHighAdvancedLimitedModerateExceptionalContact sales for quote
Qualys Vulnerability Management (VMDR)ExcellentHighAdvancedLimitedModerateHighContact sales for quote
Tenable Vulnerability ManagementModerateInconsistentAdvancedExtensiveModerateHigh$2,275/yr for 65 devices
CrowdStrike Falcon SpotlightExcellentInconsistentAdvancedDecentSimplifiedExceptionalContact sales for quote
Rapid7 InsightVMModerateVariable accuracy with reported false positivesLimitedDecentModerateExceptional$6,562.50/yr for 250 assets
AcunetixExcellentHighLimitedExtensiveSimplifiedExceptionalContact sales for quote
Microsoft Defender Vulnerability ManagementExcellentHighAbove-averageLimitedSimplifiedHighIncluded with Microsoft Defender 

Jump to:

ManageEngine icon.

ManageEngine Vulnerability Manager Plus

Best overall vulnerability management software

Overall rating: 4.25/5

  • Cost: 5/5
  • Core features: 4.75/5
  • Integrations: 3/5
  • Ease of use: 5/5
  • Customer support: 2.75/5
  • Scalability: 3.75/5

Vulnerability Manager Plus, a multi-OS vulnerability management and compliance solution, goes beyond the capabilities of traditional vulnerability management tools. It utilizes attacker-based analytics, web server hardening, high-risk software audit, and zero-day vulnerability mitigation. This end-to-end vulnerability management tool gives comprehensive coverage, continual visibility, rigorous assessment, and integral remediation of threats and vulnerabilities, all from a single console.

No matter where their endpoints are located, whether on their local network, in a DMZ network, at a remote site, or on the go, organizations can rely on Vulnerability Manager Plus to provide their distributed workforce with secure working environments. The software is a robust tool for contemporary cybersecurity management that lets businesses take preventive measures against security risks.

ManageEngine Vulnerability Manager Plus dashboard.

Pricing

ManageEngine has three pricing options:

  • Free: Up to 25 devices
  • Professional: $695 per year for 100 devices
  • Enterprise: $1195 per year for 100 devices

Features

  • Vulnerability assessment and patch management.
  • System auditing and maintenance in line with 75+ CIS benchmarks.
  • Web server hardening.
  • Zero-day vulnerability mitigation.

Pros and cons

ProsCons
High-risk software audit and uninstallationManual deployment is required for missing patches
Native web server hardening featureSome updates occasionally fail
Built-in automated patch deployment
Advanced attacker-based analytics
Free version available
GFI icon.

GFI LanGuard

Best for an affordable, cloud-based solution

Overall rating: 3.75/5

  • Cost: 4/5
  • Core features: 4.5/5
  • Integrations: 3.25/5
  • Ease of use: 2.5/5
  • Customer support: 4.25/5
  • Scalability: 5/5

GFI LanGuard is a comprehensive network security solution that includes vulnerability management as one of its features. It is one of the top choices because it offers complete protection and enhances defense by managing patches, addressing vulnerabilities, and ensuring regulatory compliance.

It utilizes advanced methods to detect vulnerabilities and provides a centralized view of the network. This capability allows organizations to identify and prioritize risks, automatically apply patches, and comply with industry regulations such as PCI DSS and HIPAA.

GFI LanGuard can run in virtual environments and support both agentless and agent-based modes. Users can choose the mode that suits their needs and preferences while reducing the cost and complexity of managing physical servers.

GFI LanGuard dashboard.

Pricing

GFI LanGuard is licensed based on the number of nodes to be scanned. For more details on their pricing options, you can reach out to their sales team, or start a free 30-day trial.

Features

  • Scans, detects, assesses, and helps rectify security vulnerabilities on the network.
  • Searches for missing non-security patches, security patches, and service packs.
  • In-depth reporting to uncover issues.
  • Locks down the network against hackers.
  • Provides a complete network security overview with minimal administration.

Pros and cons

ProsCons
Supports virtual environments and cloud-based servicesCostly for large networks because of its per-node pricing
Detailed network analysis, including the configuration, apps, hardware, devices, and security status of each nodeSome integrations only accessible to more expensive plans
Automatically downloads and installs the latest patches for third-party apps or operating systemsPricing is not transparent
Qualys icon.

Qualys Vulnerability Management (VMDR)

Best for extensive IT infrastructures

Overall rating: 4/5

  • Cost: 4/5
  • Core features: 4.75/5
  • Integrations: 4/5
  • Ease of use: 2.5/5
  • Customer support: 4.75/5
  • Scalability: 3.75/5

Qualys VMDR, powered by the Qualys TruRisk Platform, combines Qualys Cloud Agent, virtual scanners, and network analysis for streamlined vulnerability management. It automates the entire process, from asset discovery to risk-based assessment and remediation, strengthening threat response.

VMDR provides visibility to prioritize vulnerabilities and assets by business risk. It integrates with configuration management databases (CMDBs), patch management systems, and IT service management (ITSM) solutions for efficient, scalable remediation.

Qualys VMDR is one of our top picks because it supports hybrid and multi-cloud environments, as well as containerized and serverless applications, allowing organizations to scan and secure their diverse and dynamic IT assets.

Qualys VMDR dashboard.

Pricing

Qualys VMDR has per-asset basis pricing. Contact their sales department to get a quote, or start with a free trial.

Features

  • Automated vulnerability remediation prioritization with context.
  • Real-time vulnerability and misconfiguration detection.
  • Automated asset identification and categorization.
  • Custom remediation management.

Pros and cons

ProsCons
Scalable, flexible, and cost-effective as users only pay for what they useSome features that competitors include as built-in options must be purchased separately as add-ons.
No need to install or manage any hardware or softwareOverwhelming interface
Real-time visibility and analysisPricing is not transparent
Tenable icon.

Tenable Vulnerability Management

Best for managing a large number of cloud-based assets

Overall rating: 3.75/5

  • Cost: 2.75/5
  • Core features: 4.25/5
  • Integrations: 4.75/5
  • Ease of use: 2.5/5
  • Customer support: 4.75/5
  • Scalability: 3.75/5

Tenable Vulnerability Management, formerly Tenable.io, is a risk-based platform that gives the ability to see all devices and traffic on a network. We’ve selected it as one of the top solutions because of its robust features, including continuous discovery and assessment, integrated prioritization, threat intelligence, real-time reporting, and cloud management. The solution delivers a holistic view of assets and vulnerabilities for precise risk assessment.

Tenable Vulnerability Management software is managed in the cloud and powered by Tenable Nessus. It offers extensive vulnerability coverage, resource-sharing flexibility, and adaptability to various regulatory and compliance requirements. The platform also supports scheduled scans, policy enforcement, scan result analysis, and cloud-based management of multiple Tenable Nessus scanners.

With this solution, security teams can efficiently obtain accurate asset and vulnerability information within dynamic environments. They can also proactively mitigate risks by understanding and prioritizing vulnerabilities.

Tenable Vulnerability Management dashboard.

Pricing

Tenable Vulnerability Management provides an annual subscription pricing model based on the number of assets, starting at $2,275 per year for 65 assets. A free trial is also available.

Features

  • Continuous, always-on asset discovery and assessment.
  • Built-in threat intelligence.
  • Real-time visualization of risk and tracking of vulnerabilities, assets, and remediations.
  • Fully documented API and prebuilt integrations.

Pros and cons

ProsCons
Full vulnerability context, with affected asset criticality and current and future attacker activity assessmentInterface is occasionally slow and displays outdated data
Machine learning automation for continuous analysisHidden filters and categories for reviewing active vulnerabilities are difficult to find
Uses agent-based, agentless, and cloud-based scanning
CrowdStrike icon.

CrowdStrike Falcon Spotlight

Best for endpoint-centric vulnerability management

Overall rating: 3.25/5

  • Cost: 2.25/5
  • Core features: 3.25/5
  • Integrations: 3.25/5
  • Ease of use: 3.75/5
  • Customer support: 3.25/5
  • Scalability: 5/5

Cloud-native CrowdStrike Falcon Spotlight is an AI-powered vulnerability management platform that uses scanless vulnerability assessment technology to deliver always-on, automated vulnerability management that prioritizes risks in real time. It is a dynamic tool that works seamlessly with the rest of the Falcon platform modules and integrates harmoniously with other vulnerability management tools.

Furthermore, CrowdStrike Falcon Spotlight enables security and vulnerability management teams to collaborate and respond faster to threats by using common vulnerabilities and exposures (CVEs) alongside threat actor profiles and techniques.

CrowdStrike Falcon Spotlight dashboard.

Pricing

  • CrowdStrike offers tier-based pricing for SMBs and large enterprises. Please contact their sales department for additional details on available plans.

Features

  • Consistent vulnerability assessment using CrowdStrike’s single, lightweight Falcon agent.
  • Real-time instant visibility on emerging vulnerabilities.
  • Automatic risk prioritization through an advanced AI model.
  • Real-time threat-based telemetry.

Pros and cons

ProsCons
Cloud-based architecture, no device installation and updates requiredVulnerabilities detected are restricted to certain operating systems and middle wares
Unified protection bridges the gap between vulnerability assessment and threat preventionLimited report customization options
No transparent pricing info
Rapid7 icon.

Rapid7 InsightVM

Best for scalability

Overall rating: 3.25/5

  • Cost: 2.75/5
  • Core features: 3.5/5
  • Integrations: 4.5/5
  • Ease of use: 2.5/5
  • Customer support: 3/5
  • Scalability: 5/5

Rapid7 InsightVM evaluates and ranks risk by considering several pertinent factors, such as potential business consequences and attacker behavior. It employs a distinctive Real Risk Score ranging from 1 to 1000, which combines common vulnerability scoring system (CVSS) base metrics like business impact and exploitability with exposure measures. This approach offers organizations a more detailed and current perspective on relevance.

We’ve selected InsightVM as one of the top choices because it  is engineered for scalability, making it suitable for organizations of varying sizes and with diverse IT setups. By implementing appropriate architecture, planning, and integration strategies, organizations can efficiently expand their vulnerability management procedures using InsightVM.

Rapid7 InsightVM dashboard.

Pricing

InsightVM is priced on a per-asset basis, on a sliding scale that provides steeper volume discounts the more assets you have. It starts at $26.25 per asset per year for a minimum of 250 assets (or a total of $6,562.50).

Features

  • Lightweight endpoint agent.
  • Real Risk Prioritization.
  • Live dashboards.
  • Integrated threat feeds.

Pros and cons

ProsCons
Unified ecosystem optimizes security operations and incident responseNo longer offers cloud configuration assessment, container security, and built-in automation workflows
Correlates vulnerability data with real-time endpoint telemetryHigh number of false positives as per user feedback
Live dashboards streamline real-time detection
Customizable reporting options
Acunetix icon.

Acunetix

Best for web-centric environments

Overall rating: 3.75/5

  • Cost: 3/5
  • Core features: 3.5/5
  • Integrations: 4/5
  • Ease of use: 3.75/5
  • Customer support: 3/5
  • Scalability: 5/5

Acunetix is a powerful web vulnerability scanning and management software that improves the security of business web applications and websites. It uses a web crawler to systematically examine website pages for security weaknesses, such as SQL injection (SQLi) and cross-site scripting (XSS).

The software then generates detailed reports that outline the identified vulnerabilities, their severity, and guides on how to resolve them. This enables businesses to prioritize and address critical issues promptly, safeguarding their digital assets.

The software is also scalable and flexible. It lets businesses tailor scans to their specific requirements. Acunetix integrates seamlessly with other tools and platforms and simplifies complex web application management.

Moreover, it assists businesses in complying with various security standards and regulations, such as PCI DSS, HIPAA, and GDPR. Acunetix proves adaptable to businesses of diverse sizes and industries, helping them increase their web security posture.

Acunetix dashboard.

Pricing

Acunetix offers three pricing plans: Standard, Premium, and Acunetix 360, but they don’t reveal rates for any of them. Contact their sales team for pricing details.

Features

  • Automated vulnerability scanning of web applications and websites.
  • Automated crawling and discovery.
  • Vulnerability assessment and risk ratings.
  • Remediation guidance.

Pros and cons

ProsCons
Detects over 7,000 vulnerabilities, including weak passwords, misconfigurations, and exposed databasesDesigned for web application security scanning and may not perform comprehensive coverage of all types of assets
Easy-to-use intelligent crawlingResource intensive
Flexible APINo transparent pricing
Microsoft icon.

Microsoft Defender Vulnerability Management

Best for organizations with a Microsoft ecosystem

Overall rating: 4/5

  • Cost: 4/5
  • Core features: 4.5/5
  • Integrations: 3.25/5
  • Ease of use: 3.75/5
  • Customer support: 5/5
  • Scalability: 3.75/5

Microsoft Defender Vulnerability Management is a cybersecurity solution that minimizes security threats by adopting a risk-based approach to managing vulnerabilities. This tool can discover risks across various endpoints (both managed and unmanaged), cloud workloads, servers, containers, and network devices. It does this using built-in and agentless scanners. Additionally, it offers real-time visibility into an organization’s software applications, digital certificates, hardware and firmware, and browser extensions.

To prioritize vulnerabilities, Defender Vulnerability Management leverages Microsoft’s threat intelligence, breach likelihood predictions, business context, and device assessments. It swiftly identifies the most significant vulnerabilities on the most important assets and provides security recommendations for risk mitigation. It also comes with built-in workflows and the ability to block certain applications.

Microsoft Defender Vulnerability Management supports various operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and network devices. Regular updates bring new features and capabilities to boost its effectiveness.

Microsoft Defender Vulnerability Management dashboard.

Pricing

Microsoft Defender Vulnerability Management’s core capabilities are included in some Microsoft Defender plans. Premium capabilities can be purchased as an add-on starting at $2.00 per user per month.t. Contact the Microsoft sales team for more pricing information.

Features

  • Continuous asset discovery and monitoring.
  • Risk-based intelligent prioritization.
  • Advanced vulnerability and configuration assessment tools.
  • Vulnerability assessments across cloud workloads.
  • Security baselines assessment.
  • Browser extensions assessment.

Pros and cons

ProsCons
Blocks vulnerable applicationsLimited support for third party integrations
Vulnerability and misconfiguration assessments, software inventories, and usage insightsComplex setup
Both agent-based and agentless scanning options

Key features of vulnerability management software

Vulnerability management software plays a crucial role in empowering organizations to identify, prioritize, and remediate security vulnerabilities in their systems and networks. To function efficiently, it should have features for vulnerability scanning, risk prioritization, remediation workflow, alerting and notifications, and compliance.

Vulnerability scanning

Vulnerability scanning is used to investigate software, hardware, and network devices for known vulnerabilities. It is essential for maintaining the security of computer systems by actively checking assets for known vulnerabilities. 

A good vulnerability management software should support various scanning methods, including authenticated scans with proper credentials and unauthenticated scans. Regular scans of the network and its assets are critical to prevent attacks and ensure overall security.

Risk prioritization

Risk prioritization feature lets organizations allocate resources wisely and refine their security posture by mitigating potential risks. A reliable vulnerability management software prioritizes vulnerabilities by assessing their risk based on factors like CVSS scores, asset criticality, and potential business impact.

Alerting and notifications

The capability to establish alerts and notifications for newly discovered vulnerabilities or changes in status is pivotal within a vulnerability management tool, as it heightens awareness of the vulnerability landscape and potential risks to the organization. These tools also allow for the continuous monitoring and evaluation of vulnerability management activities and performance in real time.

Remediation workflow

Vulnerability management software should feature a streamlined remediation workflow that assigns tasks, tracks progress, and verifies vulnerability resolution. This systematic approach, involving the discovery, prioritization, remediation, and monitoring of vulnerabilities, is fundamental for improving security and compliance within organizations.

Compliance

The software should come equipped with tools to analyze and report on compliance with industry standards and regulations. This feature helps organizations avoid potential legal and financial consequences of non-compliance, such as fines, lawsuits, or sanctions.

Compliance features also maintain the organization’s reputation and brand by demonstrating its commitment to security and privacy. This helps to avoid negative publicity or customer backlash. Additionally, these features enhance the organization’s security posture by aligning vulnerability management practices with industry best practices and regulatory guidelines.

How to choose the best vulnerability management software for your business

Important considerations like features, integrations, scalability, user-friendliness, and software specialization should be factored in before selecting the tool that meets the exact needs of your organization.

Features

Considering the features of a vulnerability management software is paramount as they directly impact the solution’s ability to properly detect, assess, and prioritize security vulnerabilities in your organization’s infrastructure.

For instance, software development companies may need vulnerability management features that integrate with their DevOps processes. Capabilities like integration with CI/CD pipelines and container security scanning are required to find and remediate vulnerabilities in software code and containerized applications.

Integrations

Integrations maximize the efficiency and coverage of a solution by enabling seamless connections with other security tools. Vulnerabilities can be detected and addressed rapidly across diverse IT environments. Aside from that, customization options through integrations allow you to tailor the software to your specific needs, optimizing its alignment with your existing infrastructure and processes.

For example, organizations in the education sector should look for vulnerability management tools that integrate with student information systems (SIS) and learning management systems (LMS). On the other hand, businesses in the manufacturing and industrial fields must consider solutions that integrate with industrial control systems (ICS) and SCADA systems for in-depth assessment of their industrial control technology.

Scalability

Scalability ensures that the software can grow and adapt to meet your organization’s evolving needs. As your business expands, your IT infrastructure may grow in complexity and size, which means the software must handle increased scan loads, manage additional assets, and provide consistent performance.

Without scalability, you risk outgrowing your vulnerability management solution, leading to gaps in security coverage, more operational challenges, and potentially the need for costly replacements or upgrades.

User-friendliness

The user-friendliness of the software directly impacts the efficiency of your security team’s efforts. A user-friendly interface and intuitive workflows make it easier for security professionals to navigate the software, configure scans, interpret results, and prioritize vulnerabilities. This leads to more efficient vulnerability management, faster response times, and an improved security posture.

On top of that, user-friendly solutions reduce the learning curve for new team members and minimizes the risk of errors due to complexity or confusion.

Software specialization

Specialization ensures that the software is tailored to address vulnerabilities and threats unique to your industry or business type. For instance, healthcare organizations may require software specialized in HIPAA compliance, while e-commerce businesses might need software that can focus on web application security to protect online storefronts against vulnerabilities commonly exploited by cybercriminals targeting online retail platforms.

Specialized software typically comes with predefined templates, regulations, and best practices relevant to your industry, streamlining the vulnerability assessment and mitigation process. This specialization can lead to more accurate vulnerability management, better compliance, and increased protection against industry-specific threats, making it a key consideration when selecting the right software for your business.

How we evaluated vulnerability management software

In our pursuit of identifying and ranking the best vulnerability management software solutions for 2023, we divided our analysis into six categories: cost, core features, customer support, ease of use, integrations, and scalability. Each of these categories is further divided into more specific criteria, customized to the unique needs and expectations of vulnerability management software.

After defining the criteria and sub-criteria, we assigned scores to each software within these categories. These scores were based on a careful analysis of the software’s performance against the established criteria. The total scores for each solution were then calculated.

Cost – 20%

We evaluated the cost based on the availability of a free trial and free version, tiered pricing for different business sizes, and customized and budget-friendly pricing plans for small and medium-sized businesses.

  • Criteria winner: ManageEngine Vulnerability Manager Plus

Core features – 25%

We assessed the quality of each solution’s core features, such as vulnerability scanning speed and accuracy, vulnerability prioritization, remediation automation, reporting capabilities, compliance-related features, asset discovery, and alerts and notifications. We also evaluated extended features such as mobile device and IoT scanning, asset tagging, and trend analysis.

  • Criteria winners: ManageEngine Vulnerability Manager Plus and Qualys VMDR

Customer support – 10%

Customer support scores are influenced by several factors, including the availability of customer support channels such as chat, phone, and email, as well as an active user community and complete and up-to-date documentation. Response times and availability to different customer tiers were also taken into account.

  • Criteria winner: Microsoft Defender Vulnerability Management

Ease of use – 20%

To evaluate the user-friendliness of the vulnerability management solutions across different skill levels, we gathered feedback from multiple review platforms, including both positive and negative comments.

  • Criteria winner: ManageEngine Vulnerability Manager Plus

Integrations – 15%

We conducted a comprehensive evaluation of each tool’s integration capabilities, considering three key aspects: quality, quantity, and flexibility.

Quality-wise, we assessed how effectively the tool integrates with essential software categories like patch management systems, SIEM solutions, ticketing, and incident response tools.

We also measured the number of third-party software solutions that each tool could integrate with, which indicates their versatility in accommodating various external systems.

We looked at the software’s customization options for integration. We wanted to see if it offered configuration options, APIs, or other ways to fine-tune the integration process so that organizations could seamlessly align the software with their existing infrastructure and requirements.

  • Criteria winner: Tenable Vulnerability Management

Scalability – 10%

We assessed the software’s scalability by examining its ability to seamlessly handle growing demands without resource constraints. We also considered its capacity for streamlined scaling with automation and minimal administrative effort.

  • Criteria winners: GFI LanGuard, CrowdStrike Falcon Spotlight, Rapid7 InsightVM, and Acunetix

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What do vulnerability management solutions do?

Vulnerability management solutions are software tools that identify and assess security vulnerabilities in an organization’s IT infrastructure and applications, categorize them by risk level, and prioritize them for mitigation.

These tools conduct automated scans to discover weaknesses such as software flaws or misconfigurations, enabling organizations to focus their resources on addressing the most critical vulnerabilities and reducing the overall risk to their systems and data.

Who needs vulnerability management software?

Vulnerability management software is imperative for any organization that relies on IT systems and applications, as it helps proactively determine and address security weaknesses. This includes businesses of all sizes, government agencies, and non-profit organizations, as well as IT professionals responsible for maintaining secure environments.

By using vulnerability management software, these entities can reduce the risk of security breaches, data leaks, and other cyber threats, ensuring the protection of sensitive information and the integrity of their operations.

How are EDR and vulnerability management software different?

Endpoint detection and response (EDR) and vulnerability management are two different types of cybersecurity software that serve different purposes.

Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)Vulnerability Management
Detects and responds to active threats and suspicious activities on individual endpoints, such as computers, servers, and mobile devices.Detects and mitigates potential weaknesses in an organization’s IT infrastructure.
Monitors endpoint activities in real time, looking for signs of malicious behavior.Scans systems and applications for known vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, or weak security settings.
Reactive and incident-centric, addressing security threats as they occur.Proactive, focusing on preventing potential security issues before they can be exploited.

In short, EDR is used to detect and respond to attacks, while vulnerability management is used to uncover and fix vulnerabilities before they can be exploited.

Bottom line: Selecting the best vulnerability management software for your business

Choosing the right vulnerability management tool for your business is a significant investment that can have a major impact on its long-term security and success. Prioritizing factors such as alignment with your specific organizational needs, scalability, integration capabilities, and user-friendliness is crucial. Using the steps outlined in this guide, you can perform your own evaluations of our selections as well as do further research until you are satisfied that you have the best possible tool for your unique needs.

Patch management tools are an integral component of vulnerability management. Here are the best patch management software and tools.

Liz Laurente-Ticong
Liz Laurente-Ticong
Liz Laurente-Ticong is a tech specialist and multi-niche writer with a decade of experience covering software and technology topics and news. Her work has appeared in TechnologyAdvice.com as well as ghostwritten for a variety of international clients. When not writing, you can find Liz reading and watching historical and investigative documentaries. She is based in the Philippines.

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