BunkerWeb Open Source WAF vs Qualys Web Application Firewall

BunkerWeb Open Source WAF and Qualys Web Application Firewall take different approaches to web application security. Consider your team's expertise and infrastructure preferences when evaluating these options.

View BunkerWeb Open Source WAF Review View Qualys Web Application Firewall Review

BunkerWeb Open Source WAF and Qualys Web Application Firewall take fundamentally different approaches to web application security. Understanding your infrastructure and team capabilities will help determine which approach fits your needs.

Overview

BunkerWeb Open Source WAF 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.

Next-generation open source WAF built on NGINX with ModSecurity integration, offering comprehensive web security with an intuitive web UI and extensive plugin system.

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	BunkerWeb Open Source WAF	Qualys Web Application Firewall
Overall Rating	4.0/5	3.0/5
Free Tier	Yes	No
Pricing Model	Free (Open Source) / Pro Support	Subscription, per-asset licensing (product decommissioned)
Ease of Use	3.8/5	3.2/5
Value for Money	4.9/5	2.5/5
Support	3.2/5	3.5/5
Open Source	Yes	No
Platforms	Linux, Docker, Docker Swarm, Kubernetes, any NGINX-compatible environment	VMware, Hyper-V, Docker, AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform
Compliance	N/A (self-hosted, compliance depends on implementation)	PCI DSS, SOC 2, FedRAMP, ISO 27001 (Qualys platform level)

Pricing Comparison

BunkerWeb Open Source WAF

Model: Free (Open Source) / Pro Support

Free Tier Available

Community Edition

Free

Pro Support

Contact for pricing

View full pricing →

Qualys Web Application Firewall

Model: Subscription, per-asset licensing (product decommissioned)

Qualys WAF (Decommissioned)

Previously subscription-based

View full pricing →

Features Comparison

BunkerWeb Open Source WAF

ModSecurity Integration
Built-in ModSecurity WAF with OWASP Core Rule Set for comprehensive protection against web application attacks.
Bot Protection
Block malicious bots with challenge-based verification using cookies, JavaScript tests, captchas, or third-party services.
Rate Limiting & DDoS Protection
Limit connections and requests from clients, automatically ban suspicious activities triggering abnormal HTTP status codes.
IP Reputation
Block known bad IPs using external blacklists and DNSBL integration.
Web UI Management
User-friendly graphical interface for configuration and monitoring without command-line expertise.
Plugin System
Extend functionality with official and community plugins including ClamAV antivirus, Coraza WAF, and notification integrations.

Qualys Web Application Firewall

WAS Integration
Automatically generate WAF rules from Qualys Web Application Scanning results for one-click virtual patching.
Cloud-Managed Appliance
Virtual appliance deployed locally but managed centrally through the Qualys Cloud Platform.
Custom Security Policies
Flexible policy engine with reusable rules and templates for common platforms and custom applications.
Pre-Built CMS Policies
Out-of-the-box protection policies for WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, SharePoint, and Outlook Web Application.
Security Event Analytics
Detailed dashboards with traffic summaries, threat trends, and drill-down capabilities for incident investigation.
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.

BunkerWeb Open Source WAF

You need: Security-conscious organizations wanting data control, DevOps teams comfortable with self-hosting, budget-constrained projects, privacy-focused deployments
You want to start with a free tier
You prefer open-source solutions
You're using: Linux, Docker, Docker Swarm, Kubernetes, any NGINX-compatible environment

Learn more →

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

Learn more →

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 is better for startups: BunkerWeb Open Source WAF or Qualys Web Application Firewall?

BunkerWeb Open Source WAF offers a free tier while Qualys Web Application Firewall does not, which may be important for early-stage startups. BunkerWeb Open Source WAF scores higher for ease of use (3.8/5), which is valuable for smaller teams. Consider your immediate security needs and growth plans when choosing.

Which has better support: BunkerWeb Open Source WAF or Qualys Web Application Firewall?

Qualys Web Application Firewall has a higher support rating (3.5/5) compared to BunkerWeb Open Source WAF (3.2/5). 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: BunkerWeb Open Source WAF or Qualys Web Application Firewall?

BunkerWeb Open Source WAF scores higher for ease of use (3.8/5) 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: BunkerWeb Open Source WAF or Qualys Web Application Firewall?

BunkerWeb Open Source WAF offers a free tier while Qualys Web Application Firewall requires a paid plan. BunkerWeb Open Source WAF scores higher for value (4.9/5). Total cost depends on your traffic volume, required features, and support level needs.

Which works better with AWS: BunkerWeb Open Source WAF or Qualys Web Application Firewall?

Qualys Web Application Firewall explicitly supports AWS while BunkerWeb Open Source WAF's AWS integration may vary. Consider whether native AWS integration or cross-cloud portability matters more for your use case.