Nuclei
Fast, template-based open-source vulnerability scanner with 8,000+ community-contributed detection templates
ToolVulnerability ManagementCloud, Self-hosted, Open source
Pricing: Nuclei CLI free (open source, Apache-2.0); ProjectDiscovery Cloud Platform pay-as-you-go from $250 (50 credits/seat, $5/extra credit); Enterprise custom quote
Reviewed by the Cyber Vendor Guide editorial team against the public sources cited below · Last reviewed February 2026 · How we review listings
What is Nuclei?
Nuclei is a fast, template-based open-source vulnerability scanner developed by ProjectDiscovery. Built in Go for high performance, Nuclei uses YAML-based templates to define and execute vulnerability checks across web applications, networks, DNS, cloud services, and more. With over 8,000 community-contributed templates covering CVEs, misconfigurations, exposed panels, default credentials, and technology detection, Nuclei has become the preferred tool for security researchers, bug bounty hunters, and organizations wanting a highly customizable and extensible scanning engine.
Best for: Security teams and researchers wanting a fast, customizable, template-driven vulnerability scanner for web and infrastructure testing
Pros
- Extremely fast scanning with Go-based concurrent execution
- Highly customizable with easy-to-write YAML templates
- Massive community-driven template library covering latest CVEs
- Lightweight CLI tool perfect for CI/CD and automation pipelines
- Active development with rapid community response to new vulnerabilities
Things to check
- Requires security expertise to interpret results and write custom templates
- No built-in vulnerability management workflow or dashboard
- Template quality varies across community contributions
- Limited authenticated scanning compared to enterprise scanners
- Not a complete vulnerability management platform. Scanning engine only
Reported in public reviews and vendor documentation. See sources below.
Key Features
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Sources & references
Where the information on this listing comes from. Always verify pricing and capabilities against the vendor before a purchasing decision.
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Key facts
- Pricing
- Nuclei CLI free (open source, Apache-2.0); ProjectDiscovery Cloud Platform pay-as-you-go from $250 (50 credits/seat, $5/extra credit); Enterprise custom quote
- Model
- Open source with optional cloud platform
- Founded
- 2020
- Cloud
- Yes
- Self-hosted
- Yes
- Open source
- Yes
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