Documented by Censys ASM only: ROUTED.
Documented by Tenable ASM only: none.
Documented by both: FOUND.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Censys ASM vs Tenable ASM: which ASM tool takes an exposure further?
THE SHORT ANSWER
Tenable ASM scores higher overall on our weights, 5.40 to 5.15. Censys ASM scores higher on Closes the loop and Buying transparency; Tenable ASM scores higher on Contains before the patch and Fits the enterprise stack; they tie on Finds the unlisted estate, Routes to an owner and Proves exploitability. The table below gives the reason for every score.
Censys ASM
Rank 9 of 10
Best for: Threat intelligence and hunting teams that want raw internet scan evidence
Tenable ASM
Rank 7 of 10
Best for: Tenable One customers who want external assets in the same exposure view
Which tool scores higher on each criterion?
| Criterion | Censys ASM | Tenable ASM | Higher |
|---|---|---|---|
Finds the unlisted estate 15%WhyCensys ASM: First-party scanning across all 65K ports, expanding from seeds the customer adds. Tenable ASM: Draws on an attack surface map of more than 5 billion assets to find domains related to your inventory. | 7 / 10 | 7 / 10 | Tie |
Routes to an owner 10%WhyCensys ASM: Assets found beyond your seeds appear under a "Found by Censys" tab; attribution logic is not described in detail. Tenable ASM: Adds context from 200+ metadata fields; subsidiary or owner attribution is not described. | 6 / 10 | 6 / 10 | Tie |
Proves exploitability 20%WhyCensys ASM: Confirms reachability and applies EPSS and KEV context; active exploitation testing is not documented. Tenable ASM: Tenable One adds attack path analysis across 150+ techniques; the ASM product does not document exploit testing. | 5 / 10 | 5 / 10 | Tie |
Contains before the patch 20%WhyCensys ASM: No compensating control is described. Tenable ASM: Hexa AI orchestrates automated remediation in Tenable One; no edge control is described for ASM itself. | 2 / 10 | 4 / 10 | Tenable ASM |
Closes the loop 15%WhyCensys ASM: Auto-creates, routes and tracks remediation tasks; no retest after a fix is described. Tenable ASM: Workflow runs through Tenable One and its connectors rather than ASM alone; no retest described. | 6 / 10 | 5 / 10 | Censys ASM |
Fits the enterprise stack 10%WhyCensys ASM: Names Jira, ServiceNow ITSM and CMDB, Tenable VM, Google Security Operations, Microsoft Sentinel, Axonius, Brinqa, Slack, Webex and the three major clouds. Tenable ASM: External findings land in Tenable One beside Tenable's vulnerability data, with Tenable One Connectors for third-party sources. | 8 / 10 | 9 / 10 | Tenable ASM |
Buying transparency 10%WhyCensys ASM: A free platform account and credits from $100 exist; ASM itself is contact sales. Tenable ASM: ASM is quote-only, although Tenable lists prices for adjacent products such as Tenable One Vulnerability Management. | 4 / 10 | 3 / 10 | Censys ASM |
Which steps does each tool document?
Censys ASM
- FOUNDDocumented
65K-port first-party scanning, expanding from seeds.
- OWNEDNot documented
Attribution logic not described in detail.
- PROVENPartial
Reachability confirmation with EPSS and KEV; no exploitation.
- CONTAINEDNot documented
No compensating control described.
- ROUTEDDocumented
Auto-creates and routes remediation tasks.
- RECHECKEDNot documented
Retest after a fix not described.
Tenable ASM
- FOUNDDocumented
Domains related to your inventory from a 5 billion+ asset map.
- OWNEDNot documented
Subsidiary or owner attribution not described.
- PROVENNot documented
Attack path analysis in Tenable One; no exploit testing documented for ASM.
- CONTAINEDPartial
Hexa AI automated remediation, through Tenable One.
- ROUTEDPartial
Through Tenable One connectors, not ASM alone.
- RECHECKEDNot documented
Retest after a fix not described.
Partial counts as not documented for these three lines.
What do they cost?
Censys ASM
Not published
ASM: contact sales. A free Censys platform account exists, and platform credits start from $100.
To start: Seeds you add in the console or through the API.
Tenable ASM
ASM: quote only. Tenable One is sold in two packages, Foundation and Advanced, both "Request a quote". Tenable lists some adjacent products online, for example Tenable One Vulnerability Management at $3,700 for one year for up to 250 assets.
To start: Demo request; no ASM trial listed.
Which should you choose?
Choose Censys ASM if
- it matters most to you that it fits the enterprise stack (8/10)
- it matters most to you that it finds the unlisted estate (7/10)
Choose Censys ASM if your threat intelligence or hunting team wants raw scan evidence and broad integrations. Look elsewhere if you need exploitation proof or containment.
Choose Tenable ASM if
- it matters most to you that it fits the enterprise stack (9/10)
- it matters most to you that it finds the unlisted estate (7/10)
Choose Tenable ASM if Tenable One is already your exposure platform. Look elsewhere if you want an ASM tool that proves and contains exposures on its own.
Frequently asked questions
Which proves exploitability better, Censys ASM or Tenable ASM?
Neither: they tie on our proof criterion (Censys ASM 5/10, Tenable ASM 5/10). Censys ASM: Confirms reachability and applies EPSS and KEV context; active exploitation testing is not documented. Tenable ASM: Tenable One adds attack path analysis across 150+ techniques; the ASM product does not document exploit testing.
Can Censys ASM or Tenable ASM contain an exposure before the patch?
Censys ASM: not documented on the pages reviewed Tenable ASM: not documented on the pages reviewed Contain scores: Censys ASM 2/10, Tenable ASM 4/10.
Which is easier to buy, Censys ASM or Tenable ASM?
Censys ASM: contact sales. A free Censys platform account exists, and platform credits start from $100. Tenable ASM: quote only. Tenable One is sold in two packages, Foundation and Advanced, both "Request a quote". Tenable lists some adjacent products online, for example Tenable One Vulnerability Management at $3,700 for one year for up to 250 assets. Buying transparency scores: Censys ASM 4/10, Tenable ASM 3/10.
Read next
- Censys ASM profile
Scores, sources and pricing
- Tenable ASM profile
Scores, sources and pricing
- Beyond Censys ASM: alternatives
Eight alternatives ranked
- Beyond Tenable ASM: alternatives
Eight alternatives ranked
- Line them up
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