The Problem (Pain Intensity: 8/10)
Nessus just reduced their free tier to only 5 IPs. The result?
- Small teams/solo developers lack affordable security scanning tools
- OpenVAS is free but has complex setup and high barrier to entry
- European studies show 60% of breached SMEs shut down within 6 months
- Over 74% of US companies experienced at least one data breach recently
- Compliance requirements increasing while tool costs remain prohibitive
Security is essential, but tools are expensive, and free alternatives are difficult.
Target Market
- Primary Market: GLOBAL
- Target Segment: Small dev teams, startups, security researchers, freelance developers
- Estimated TAM: $1.5B (2026), CAGR 10.5%
The vulnerability scanning market is projected to reach $3.8B by 2031.
What is Free Vulnerability Scanner?
Free Vulnerability Scanner provides unlimited IP security vulnerability scanning for free, with paid tiers for reporting and monitoring features.
Core Features
- Unlimited IP Scanning: No 5 IP limit, cover entire infrastructure
- CVE Database Integration: Automatic latest vulnerability updates
- CLI-First Design: Natural integration with DevOps workflows
- Docker-Based Deployment: One-line command installation
- CI/CD Integration: GitHub Actions, GitLab CI support
Differentiated Approach
❌ Nessus: 5 IPs free → rest paid
❌ OpenVAS: Free but → complex setup, time-consuming
✅ Our tool: Unlimited free scanning → paid reporting/monitoring
Competitive Analysis
| Competitor | Price | Weakness |
|---|---|---|
| Nessus | Free 5 IP / Pro $4,000/yr | Limited free tier |
| OpenVAS | Free | Complex setup, poor documentation |
| Qualys | Enterprise pricing | Not suitable for small teams |
| Rapid7 | Enterprise pricing | Inaccessible for individuals/startups |
Differentiation: Existing tools focus on Enterprise sales. We focus on lowering the barrier for small teams.
MVP Development
- Estimated Timeline: 8-10 weeks
- Complexity: MEDIUM
- Tech Fit Score: 9/10
Recommended Stack
Backend: Python/Go
Scanning: Wrap open-source scanning engines
Database: PostgreSQL (scan results, CVE data)
CLI: Click/Cobra
Deployment: Docker
Infra: Cloudflare, self-hosted server
MVP Scope
- CLI scan commands (IP, domain)
- Basic port scanning + CVE matching
- JSON/Markdown report output
- Docker one-click install
- GitHub Actions integration example
Revenue Model
- Model: FREEMIUM
- Pricing:
- Free: Unlimited scans, CLI reports
- Pro: $19/mo (scheduling, dashboard, Slack alerts)
- Team: $49/mo (team management, history, API access)
- MRR 6-month estimate: $3,000
- MRR 12-month estimate: $12,000
Risk Analysis
| Risk | Level | Mitigation |
|---|---|---|
| Technical | LOW | Wrap existing open-source scanners |
| Market | LOW | Clear need from Nessus pricing change |
| Execution | MEDIUM | CVE database integration complexity |
Recommended For
- Developers wanting DevOps/security tool experience
- Those interested in CLI tool development
- Anyone wanting to master Docker-based deployment
- Those seeking B2B SaaS experience with clear pain point
- Anyone targeting security communities (HN, Reddit) for viral growth
💡 Idea Source: A project building an alternative was shared on Reddit r/SideProject in response to Nessus free tier reduction.
If you’ve started this side project or have thoughts, share in the comments!