Azure Web Application Firewall vs Qualys Web Application Firewall
Both Azure Web Application Firewall and Qualys Web Application Firewall are capable WAF solutions. The right choice depends on your specific infrastructure, budget, and feature requirements.
Overview
Azure Web Application Firewall and Qualys Web Application Firewall are both popular web application firewall solutions. This comparison will help you understand the key differences and choose the right one for your needs.
Microsoft's cloud-native WAF integrated with Azure Application Gateway and Front Door, offering enterprise-grade protection with deep Azure ecosystem integration.
Cloud-managed WAF from Qualys that integrates with their vulnerability scanning platform, enabling one-click virtual patching of discovered vulnerabilities. Note — product was decommissioned September 2024.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Azure Web Application Firewall | Qualys Web Application Firewall |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 4.2/5 | 3.0/5 |
| Free Tier | No | No |
| Pricing Model | Pay-per-use (gateway hours + data processed) | Subscription, per-asset licensing (product decommissioned) |
| Ease of Use | 3.5/5 | 3.2/5 |
| Value for Money | 3.8/5 | 2.5/5 |
| Support | 4.2/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Platforms | Azure Application Gateway, Azure Front Door, Azure CDN, Azure Spring Apps | VMware, Hyper-V, Docker, AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform |
| Compliance | SOC 1/2/3, PCI DSS, HIPAA, FedRAMP High, ISO 27001, ISO 27018 | PCI DSS, SOC 2, FedRAMP, ISO 27001 (Qualys platform level) |
Pricing Comparison
Azure Web Application Firewall
Model: Pay-per-use (gateway hours + data processed)
Application Gateway WAF v2
~$0.443/hour + $0.008/GB
Front Door Standard
$35/month base + usage
Front Door Premium
$330/month base + usage
Qualys Web Application Firewall
Model: Subscription, per-asset licensing (product decommissioned)
Qualys WAF (Decommissioned)
Previously subscription-based
Features Comparison
Azure Web Application Firewall
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OWASP Core Rule Set
Pre-configured protection against OWASP Top 10 vulnerabilities with regularly updated rule sets.
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Custom Rules
Create custom rules based on geo-location, IP address, request attributes, and rate limiting.
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Bot Protection
Managed bot protection ruleset to detect and mitigate malicious bot traffic (Premium tier).
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Per-Site Policies
Apply different WAF policies to different sites behind the same gateway.
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Exclusion Lists
Fine-tune rules by excluding specific request attributes to reduce false positives.
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Geo-Filtering
Allow or block traffic based on country/region of origin.
Qualys Web Application Firewall
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WAS Integration
Automatically generate WAF rules from Qualys Web Application Scanning results for one-click virtual patching.
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Cloud-Managed Appliance
Virtual appliance deployed locally but managed centrally through the Qualys Cloud Platform.
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Custom Security Policies
Flexible policy engine with reusable rules and templates for common platforms and custom applications.
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Pre-Built CMS Policies
Out-of-the-box protection policies for WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, SharePoint, and Outlook Web Application.
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Security Event Analytics
Detailed dashboards with traffic summaries, threat trends, and drill-down capabilities for incident investigation.
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Local Traffic Processing
Application traffic stays within your environment for minimal latency and full data control.
Which One Is Right for You?
The best WAF depends on your specific requirements, infrastructure, and team expertise.
Azure Web Application Firewall
- You need: Azure-native applications, Microsoft enterprise customers, government and regulated industries, global applications needing edge protection
- You're using: Azure Application Gateway, Azure Front Door, Azure CDN, Azure Spring Apps
Qualys Web Application Firewall
- You need: Historical reference; previously suited for Qualys platform customers wanting integrated vulnerability management and WAF
- You're using: VMware, Hyper-V, Docker, AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform
We recommend evaluating both options with a trial or free tier before committing. Consider your existing infrastructure, team expertise, compliance requirements, and budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has better support: Azure Web Application Firewall or Qualys Web Application Firewall?
Azure Web Application Firewall has a higher support rating (4.2/5) compared to Qualys Web Application Firewall (3.5/5). However, support quality can vary based on your plan tier - enterprise customers typically receive more responsive support from both providers. Consider evaluating support during a trial period.
Which is easier to implement: Azure Web Application Firewall or Qualys Web Application Firewall?
Azure Web Application Firewall scores higher for ease of use (3.5/5) versus Qualys Web Application Firewall (3.2/5). The actual implementation effort depends on your existing infrastructure and team expertise.
Which is more cost-effective: Azure Web Application Firewall or Qualys Web Application Firewall?
Neither provider offers a completely free tier. Azure Web Application Firewall scores higher for value (3.8/5). Total cost depends on your traffic volume, required features, and support level needs.
Which works better with AWS: Azure Web Application Firewall or Qualys Web Application Firewall?
Qualys Web Application Firewall explicitly supports AWS while Azure Web Application Firewall's AWS integration may vary. Consider whether native AWS integration or cross-cloud portability matters more for your use case.
Which is better for enterprise: Azure Web Application Firewall or Qualys Web Application Firewall?
Azure Web Application Firewall is positioned for enterprise use cases, while Qualys Web Application Firewall may be more suited for small to mid-market organizations. Both offer compliance certifications important for enterprise. Enterprise buyers should evaluate SLAs, support options, and integration capabilities.