Bunny Shield vs Qualys Web Application Firewall
Both Bunny Shield and Qualys Web Application Firewall are capable WAF solutions. The right choice depends on your specific infrastructure, budget, and feature requirements.
Overview
Bunny Shield 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.
Affordable all-in-one web security from bunny.net, combining AI-powered WAF, DDoS protection, bot mitigation, and upload scanning with a generous free tier and simple pricing.
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 | Bunny Shield | Qualys Web Application Firewall |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 4.1/5 | 3.0/5 |
| Free Tier | Yes | No |
| Pricing Model | Per feature tier + overage | Subscription, per-asset licensing (product decommissioned) |
| Ease of Use | 4.6/5 | 3.2/5 |
| Value for Money | 4.7/5 | 2.5/5 |
| Support | 4.2/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Platforms | Any web application, WordPress, static sites, APIs | VMware, Hyper-V, Docker, AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform |
| Compliance | Contact vendor | PCI DSS, SOC 2, FedRAMP, ISO 27001 (Qualys platform level) |
Pricing Comparison
Bunny Shield
Model: Per feature tier + overage
Free Tier AvailableBasic
$0/month
Advanced
$9.50/month
Business
$99/month
Enterprise
Contact Sales
Qualys Web Application Firewall
Model: Subscription, per-asset licensing (product decommissioned)
Qualys WAF (Decommissioned)
Previously subscription-based
Features Comparison
Bunny Shield
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AI-Powered WAF
Next-gen WAF engine that blocks zero-day exploits, OWASP Top 10, and emerging risks with AI recommendations and real-time logs.
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DDoS Protection
Volumetric and application-layer DDoS mitigation backed by 250+ Tbps network capacity across 119 global scrubbing centers.
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Global Rate Limiting
Set precise rate limits per IP, user, or path globally across your entire infrastructure to control abuse.
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Bot Mitigation
Detect, block, and neutralize malicious bots in real time using behavioral fingerprinting without impacting legitimate users.
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Access Lists
Block traffic using curated threat lists for VPNs, Tor nodes, and other threat sources, or create custom access controls.
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Upload Scanning
Automatically scan uploaded files for viruses, malware, and CSAM to prevent harmful content from reaching your platform.
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.
Bunny Shield
- You need: Small to medium businesses, startups, developers, cost-conscious organizations wanting comprehensive security, sites already using bunny.net CDN
- You want to start with a free tier
- You're using: Any web application, WordPress, static sites, APIs
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 is better for startups: Bunny Shield or Qualys Web Application Firewall?
Bunny Shield offers a free tier while Qualys Web Application Firewall does not, which may be important for early-stage startups. Bunny Shield scores higher for ease of use (4.6/5), which is valuable for smaller teams. Consider your immediate security needs and growth plans when choosing.
Which has better support: Bunny Shield or Qualys Web Application Firewall?
Bunny Shield 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: Bunny Shield or Qualys Web Application Firewall?
Bunny Shield scores higher for ease of use (4.6/5) 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: Bunny Shield or Qualys Web Application Firewall?
Bunny Shield offers a free tier while Qualys Web Application Firewall requires a paid plan. Bunny Shield scores higher for value (4.7/5). Total cost depends on your traffic volume, required features, and support level needs.
Which works better with AWS: Bunny Shield or Qualys Web Application Firewall?
Qualys Web Application Firewall explicitly supports AWS while Bunny Shield's AWS integration may vary. Consider whether native AWS integration or cross-cloud portability matters more for your use case.