# Datadog Workload Protection vs Nessus Professional: side-by-side comparison (2026)

[Datadog Workload Protection](https://cybersectools.com/tools/datadog-workload-protection) is a commercial [workload protection](https://cybersectools.com/categories/workload-protection) solution by [Datadog](https://cybersectools.com/companies/datadog). [Nessus Professional](https://cybersectools.com/tools/nessus-professional) is a commercial [vulnerability assessment](https://cybersectools.com/categories/vulnerability-assessment) solution by [Tenable](https://cybersectools.com/companies/tenable). Features, integrations, deployment and the company behind each one, side by side.

## Side-by-side comparison

| | Datadog Workload Protection | Nessus Professional |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Commercial | Commercial |
| Category | Workload Protection | Vulnerability Assessment |
| Verified | No | No |
| Deployment type | Cloud | On-Premises |
| Company size fit | SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise | Startup, SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise |
| Company | Datadog | Tenable |
| Headquarters | – | – |

### Use cases and capabilities

| | Datadog Workload Protection | Nessus Professional |
|---|---|---|
| Cloud Native | Yes | – |
| Runtime Security | Yes | – |
| Workload Security | Yes | – |
| Kubernetes | Yes | – |
| Vulnerability | – | Yes |
| Security Scanning | – | Yes |
| CVE | – | Yes |
| Penetration Testing Framework | – | Yes |
| NIST | – | Yes |
| PCI DSS | – | Yes |
| CIS | – | Yes |
| Network Scanning | – | Yes |
| VAPT | – | Yes |

### Core features

**Datadog Workload Protection**

10 features listed. Sign in on the page to see them.

**Nessus Professional**

10 features listed. Sign in on the page to see them.

### Integrations

**Datadog Workload Protection**

7 integrations listed. Sign in on the page to see them.

**Nessus Professional**

No integrations listed.

## Which one fits you

Based on what each listing shows: deployment, company size, price and open source.

- [Datadog Workload Protection](https://cybersectools.com/tools/datadog-workload-protection) fits if you want a cloud product.
- [Nessus Professional](https://cybersectools.com/tools/nessus-professional) fits if you need to run it on your own servers and you are a startup.

## Datadog Workload Protection vs Nessus Professional FAQ

Common questions when comparing Datadog Workload Protection vs Nessus Professional for workload protection.

### What is the difference between Datadog Workload Protection and Nessus Professional?

**Datadog Workload Protection**: Runtime workload protection for cloud and containerized environments. Built by Datadog.

**Nessus Professional**: Vulnerability scanner for assessing networks, systems, and apps for security flaws. Built by Tenable.

The table above shows where their features, integrations, deployment and company size fit differ.

### Who makes Datadog Workload Protection and Nessus Professional?

**Datadog Workload Protection** is made by Datadog. **Nessus Professional** is made by Tenable. The vendor behind a product decides its roadmap, support, and longevity, so check each company's profile before you commit.

### Is Datadog Workload Protection a good alternative to Nessus Professional?

In part. Datadog Workload Protection and Nessus Professional are not in the same category on CybersecTools. Use the table above to see where features, deployment and company size fit differ.

## Related comparisons

- [Datadog Workload Protection vs AI EdgeLabs Platform](https://cybersectools.com/compare/ai-edgelabs-platform-vs-datadog-workload-protection)
- [Datadog Workload Protection vs Aqua Security Cloud VM Security](https://cybersectools.com/compare/aqua-security-cloud-vm-security-vs-datadog-workload-protection)
- [Datadog Workload Protection vs Bitdefender GravityZone Cloud and Server Security](https://cybersectools.com/compare/bitdefender-gravityzone-cloud-and-server-security-vs-datadog-workload-protection)
- [Nessus Professional vs AI EdgeLabs Platform](https://cybersectools.com/compare/ai-edgelabs-platform-vs-nessus-professional)
- [Nessus Professional vs Aqua Security Cloud VM Security](https://cybersectools.com/compare/aqua-security-cloud-vm-security-vs-nessus-professional)
- [Nessus Professional vs Bitdefender GravityZone Cloud and Server Security](https://cybersectools.com/compare/bitdefender-gravityzone-cloud-and-server-security-vs-nessus-professional)

## Alternatives to each

- [See all Datadog Workload Protection alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/datadog-workload-protection)
- [See all Nessus Professional alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/nessus-professional)

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Source: https://cybersectools.com/compare/datadog-workload-protection-vs-nessus-professional

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More on Datadog Workload Protection and Nessus Professional: funding, momentum, hiring and news, plus the full product and company record, are available through the Mandos MCP Server (paid plans), which connects to AI assistants: https://mandos.io/mcp?utm_source=cybersectools.com&utm_medium=compare-md