Gcore Web Application and API Protection vs Qualys Web Application Firewall
Both Gcore Web Application and API Protection and Qualys Web Application Firewall are capable WAF solutions. The right choice depends on your specific infrastructure, budget, and feature requirements.
Overview
Gcore Web Application and API Protection 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.
Edge-deployed WAAP platform combining WAF, bot management, L7 DDoS mitigation, and API security in one service. AI-driven threat detection with pricing starting at EUR 55/month.
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 | Gcore Web Application and API Protection | Qualys Web Application Firewall |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 3.9/5 | 3.0/5 |
| Free Tier | No | No |
| Pricing Model | Per month / Tiered | Subscription, per-asset licensing (product decommissioned) |
| Ease of Use | 4.0/5 | 3.2/5 |
| Value for Money | 4.2/5 | 2.5/5 |
| Support | 3.7/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Platforms | Cloud (SaaS), infrastructure-agnostic (any origin) | VMware, Hyper-V, Docker, AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform |
| Compliance | GDPR, ISO 27001, PCI DSS | PCI DSS, SOC 2, FedRAMP, ISO 27001 (Qualys platform level) |
Pricing Comparison
Gcore Web Application and API Protection
Model: Per month / Tiered
Start
EUR 55/month
Pro
Custom pricing
Enterprise
Custom pricing
Qualys Web Application Firewall
Model: Subscription, per-asset licensing (product decommissioned)
Qualys WAF (Decommissioned)
Previously subscription-based
Features Comparison
Gcore Web Application and API Protection
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AI-Driven WAF
WAF using regex, signatures, heuristics, and behavioral analytics to protect against OWASP Top 10 and beyond. Custom rules and device fingerprinting for advanced detection.
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Bot Management
Distinguishes good bots from malicious ones using behavioral analytics, JavaScript challenges, CAPTCHA, session management, and rate limiting.
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L7 DDoS Mitigation
Application-layer DDoS protection with burst identification, AI-based IP filtering, and auto-scaling at the edge.
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API Security
Protects APIs against OWASP API Top 10 with ML-based filtering, JA3 fingerprinting, and heuristic analysis.
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Edge Deployment
All processing happens at Gcore's 180+ edge PoPs for minimal latency impact on legitimate traffic.
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Auto-Learning
Self-tuning capabilities that adapt protection rules based on observed traffic patterns and new threat types.
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.
Gcore Web Application and API Protection
- You need: Organizations wanting an affordable full WAAP platform, teams already using Gcore CDN, companies needing combined WAF and API security, globally distributed web applications
- You're using: Cloud (SaaS), infrastructure-agnostic (any origin)
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: Gcore Web Application and API Protection or Qualys Web Application Firewall?
Gcore Web Application and API Protection has a higher support rating (3.7/5) 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: Gcore Web Application and API Protection or Qualys Web Application Firewall?
Gcore Web Application and API Protection 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: Gcore Web Application and API Protection or Qualys Web Application Firewall?
Neither provider offers a completely free tier. Gcore Web Application and API Protection scores higher for value (4.2/5). Total cost depends on your traffic volume, required features, and support level needs.
Which works better with AWS: Gcore Web Application and API Protection or Qualys Web Application Firewall?
Qualys Web Application Firewall explicitly supports AWS while Gcore Web Application and API Protection's AWS integration may vary. Consider whether native AWS integration or cross-cloud portability matters more for your use case.