Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences) vs Qualys Web Application Firewall
Both Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences) and Qualys Web Application Firewall are capable WAF solutions. The right choice depends on your specific infrastructure, budget, and feature requirements.
Overview
Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences) 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.
Developer-friendly WAF using proprietary SmartParse technology, offering low false positives and seamless DevOps integration for modern application security.
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 | Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences) | Qualys Web Application Firewall |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 4.5/5 | 3.0/5 |
| Free Tier | No | No |
| Pricing Model | Custom pricing based on requests and features | Subscription, per-asset licensing (product decommissioned) |
| Ease of Use | 4.0/5 | 3.2/5 |
| Value for Money | 3.8/5 | 2.5/5 |
| Support | 4.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Platforms | Any web application, AWS, GCP, Azure, Kubernetes, Docker, Serverless, Nginx, Apache | VMware, Hyper-V, Docker, AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform |
| Compliance | SOC 2 Type II, PCI DSS, ISO 27001, HIPAA, GDPR | PCI DSS, SOC 2, FedRAMP, ISO 27001 (Qualys platform level) |
Pricing Comparison
Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences)
Model: Custom pricing based on requests and features
Essential
Custom pricing
Professional
Custom pricing
Premier
Custom pricing
Qualys Web Application Firewall
Model: Subscription, per-asset licensing (product decommissioned)
Qualys WAF (Decommissioned)
Previously subscription-based
Features Comparison
Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences)
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SmartParse Technology
Intelligent parsing technology that understands application context to reduce false positives by 90%+.
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Power Rules
Flexible rule language for creating custom detection and response logic based on any request attribute.
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API Discovery
Automatic discovery and cataloging of API endpoints with security assessment.
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DevOps Integration
Native integrations with CI/CD tools, infrastructure as code support, and developer-friendly APIs.
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Multi-Environment Deployment
Deploy as cloud service, agent, or edge module across diverse infrastructure.
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Real-Time Dashboards
Live visibility into attacks, decisions, and application health without sampling.
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.
Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences)
- You need: Modern DevOps teams, API-heavy applications, organizations frustrated with false positives, companies needing flexible deployment options
- You're using: Any web application, AWS, GCP, Azure, Kubernetes, Docker, Serverless, Nginx, Apache
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: Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences) or Qualys Web Application Firewall?
Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences) has a higher support rating (4.5/5) 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: Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences) or Qualys Web Application Firewall?
Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences) scores higher for ease of use (4.0/5) 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: Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences) or Qualys Web Application Firewall?
Neither provider offers a completely free tier. Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences) 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: Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences) or Qualys Web Application Firewall?
Both Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences) and Qualys Web Application Firewall support AWS deployments. Consider whether native AWS integration or cross-cloud portability matters more for your use case.