Comparison

Feature
OpenVAS
Nessus
Metasploit
Burp Suite
Purpouse
Vulnerability scanning
Vulnerability scanning
Exploit development & testing
Web application security
Ease of use
-
User-friendly
Advanced
User-friendly
Core Features
Vulnerability assessment
Vulnerability assessment, compliance checks, network discovery
Exploit framework, payload creation
Proxy server, vulnerability scanner
Customizability
Limited
High
High
High
Community
Open source community
Commercial with free options
Open source community & Commercial
Commercial with free options
Cost
Free
Limited Free tier, pay for more
Free tier, pay for commercial support
Limited Free tier, paid for more
Target Users
Security professionals, researchers
Security professionals, enterprise users
Security researchers, penetration testers
Security professionals, web developers
Range of Functions
Comprehensive scanning, limited to vulnerabilities
Comprehensive scanning with additional plugins for specific vulnerabilities
Exploitation, post-exploitation, reconnaissance
Targeted scanning, manual and automated testing
Authentication
Basic authentication mechanisms
Advanced authentication options
None, can connect to databases
Robust authentication options
Data Handling
Basic data protection
Advanced data protection, configuration for compliance
Secure data handling practices
Secure data storage and handling features
Performance Analysis
Scan speed can vary, some performance customization
Fast scanning capabilities, performance tuning
Performance varies based on usage, configurable
Tuned for manual testing, but automated scans can be slower

Comparison is summarized from theoretical and practical part
-: means couldn't test it or no information

Summary

The comparison chart provided offers an insightful overview of four prominent cybersecurity tools: OpenVAS, Nessus, Metasploit, and Burp Suite. Each of these tools has been analyzed across various parameters to help users understand their unique features and suitability for different cybersecurity needs.

OpenVAS and Nessus are primarily focused on vulnerability scanning, with Nessus offering additional features like compliance checks and network discovery. OpenVAS, being free and open-source, caters to security professionals and researchers, while Nessus, with its commercial orientation, extends its reach to enterprise users as well.
Minus rep for OpenVAS for having a very difficult installation process and in the end still failing to run.

Metasploit, known for its exploit development and testing capabilities, serves a more advanced user base, including security researchers and penetration testers. It stands out for its exploit framework and payload creation features. Its open-source nature, coupled with commercial support options, makes it a versatile choice.

Burp Suite specializes in web application security, offering a range of features like proxy server, vulnerability scanner and payload attacks. It's user-friendly and targeted towards security professionals and web developers.

Each tool exhibits varying levels of ease of use, customizability, community support, and cost structure, making them suitable for different user segments and requirements. From comprehensive scanning and exploitation capabilities to targeted scanning and manual testing, these tools cover a broad spectrum of cybersecurity functions. They differ in authentication mechanisms and data handling capabilities, highlighting the diversity in their design and use cases.

In conclusion, this comparison highlights the distinctiveness of each tool, guiding users in selecting the most appropriate tool based on their specific needs, expertise level, and the nature of the tasks they aim to accomplish in the realm of cybersecurity.

For more info on each tool: Go here