Is there a simpler open-source alternative to OpenVAS?

Yes. ShadowSecurityScanner is a free, MIT-licensed vulnerability scanner that runs as a single desktop application on Windows, macOS and Linux. Unlike OpenVAS/GVM, which is a multi-component Greenbone server stack (scanner, feed sync, database and web UI), it needs no server setup — you download one binary and scan.

What is the difference between OpenVAS and ShadowSecurityScanner?

Both are open source and run offline. OpenVAS/GVM is Linux-only and deployed as an always-on server stack with a large network vulnerability test feed. ShadowSecurityScanner is a cross-platform desktop app with zero-setup deployment, built-in EPSS exploit scoring and CISA KEV flagging, scan diffing and SARIF export.

Does ShadowSecurityScanner run on Windows and macOS?

Yes. It ships as a single self-contained binary for Windows, macOS and Linux, whereas OpenVAS/GVM runs on Linux only. No admin rights are required to run it.

Is ShadowSecurityScanner free?

Yes, it is released under the permissive MIT license and free for personal, educational and commercial use.

OpenVAS alternative

A simpler open-source OpenVAS alternative

The same free, offline scanning — without the multi-component server stack · 2026

OpenVAS (part of Greenbone's GVM) is a capable, fully open-source network vulnerability scanner with a large feed of network vulnerability tests. The trade-off is operational: it's a multi-component Linux server stack — scanner, feed synchronisation, database and web interface — that takes real effort to install, tune and keep running. If you want an open-source OpenVAS alternative without that overhead, ShadowSecurityScanner gives you offline scanning in a single cross-platform desktop app.

Why people look for an OpenVAS alternative

Setup complexity — feed sync, GVM services and the web UI take time to stand up.
Linux-only — no native Windows or macOS desktop option.
Maintenance — an always-on server stack to patch, update and monitor.
Prioritisation — no built-in EPSS or CISA KEV exploit context on findings.
Modern reporting — no native SARIF export for CI pipelines.

ShadowSecurityScanner vs OpenVAS at a glance

Capability	ShadowSecurityScanner	OpenVAS / GVM
License	Open source (MIT)	Open source (GPL)
Price	Free	Free
Deployment	Single desktop binary	Server stack (feeds, scanner, GSA)
Setup time	Seconds (download & run)	Longer (multi-component)
Platforms	Windows · macOS · Linux	Linux only
Maintenance	None (desktop app)	Ongoing (server services)
EPSS exploit scoring	Built in	No
CISA KEV flagging	Built in	No
Scan diffing	New / regressed / resolved	Limited
SARIF export (CI)	Yes	No

What you get instead

ShadowSecurityScanner covers the same essentials — port scanning, service and OS fingerprinting, and thousands of catalogued network and web checks — but with zero server setup: download one binary and scan. On top, every finding carries its FIRST.org EPSS exploit probability and CISA KEV flag, sorted KEV → EPSS → severity, and results export to PDF, HTML, SARIF, XML and CSV. Scan diffing highlights new, regressed and resolved findings between runs.

When OpenVAS is still the right call

OpenVAS / GVM is an excellent choice when you want a always-on, centralised scanning server on Linux with a very large, continuously updated NVT feed, and you're comfortable running the stack. For users who want a fast, private, cross-platform desktop scanner with modern prioritisation and reporting, ShadowSecurityScanner is the lighter alternative. See the full three-way comparison vs Nessus and OpenVAS.

Try the zero-setup alternative

Download ShadowSecurityScanner for Windows, macOS or Linux — one binary, no server to maintain.

Download ShadowSecurityScanner

A free alternative to Nessus.
ShadowSecurityScanner vs Nessus vs OpenVAS — full comparison.
How to run a network vulnerability scan.
Best free open-source penetration testing tools.

Comparison reflects publicly documented features at the time of writing and is for orientation only; verify current capabilities with each project. OpenVAS and GVM are projects of Greenbone. Product names belong to their respective owners.