Google Cloud Armor vs Qualys Web Application Firewall
Both Google Cloud Armor and Qualys Web Application Firewall are capable WAF solutions. The right choice depends on your specific infrastructure, budget, and feature requirements.
Overview
Google Cloud Armor 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.
Google Cloud's edge security service combining WAF, DDoS protection, and adaptive protection with the scale and intelligence of Google's global network.
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 | Google Cloud Armor | Qualys Web Application Firewall |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 4.2/5 | 3.0/5 |
| Free Tier | No | No |
| Pricing Model | Pay-per-use (policies + rules + requests) | Subscription, per-asset licensing (product decommissioned) |
| Ease of Use | 3.8/5 | 3.2/5 |
| Value for Money | 4.0/5 | 2.5/5 |
| Support | 4.0/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Platforms | Google Cloud Load Balancer (HTTP/S, TCP/SSL Proxy), Cloud CDN, Cloud Run, GKE | VMware, Hyper-V, Docker, AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform |
| Compliance | SOC 1/2/3, PCI DSS, ISO 27001, ISO 27017, ISO 27018, FedRAMP, HIPAA | PCI DSS, SOC 2, FedRAMP, ISO 27001 (Qualys platform level) |
Pricing Comparison
Google Cloud Armor
Model: Pay-per-use (policies + rules + requests)
Standard (Small)
~$20/mo + $0.75/M requests
Standard (Medium)
~$55/mo + $0.75/M requests
Plus (Managed Protection)
$3,000/month
Enterprise
Custom pricing
Qualys Web Application Firewall
Model: Subscription, per-asset licensing (product decommissioned)
Qualys WAF (Decommissioned)
Previously subscription-based
Features Comparison
Google Cloud Armor
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Pre-configured WAF Rules
Ready-to-use rule sets for OWASP Top 10, SQLi, XSS, and other common attacks.
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Adaptive Protection
ML-powered automatic detection and mitigation of sophisticated L7 DDoS attacks.
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Bot Management
Integration with reCAPTCHA Enterprise for advanced bot detection and challenge pages.
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Rate Limiting
Flexible rate limiting based on IP, headers, or other request attributes.
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Geo-Based Access Control
Allow or deny traffic based on geographic location of the request origin.
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Named IP Lists
Block known malicious IPs using Google's threat intelligence or custom lists.
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.
Google Cloud Armor
- You need: GCP-native applications, organizations using Google Cloud, applications needing reCAPTCHA integration, multi-cloud with GCP component
- You're using: Google Cloud Load Balancer (HTTP/S, TCP/SSL Proxy), Cloud CDN, Cloud Run, GKE
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: Google Cloud Armor or Qualys Web Application Firewall?
Google Cloud Armor has a higher support rating (4.0/5) 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: Google Cloud Armor or Qualys Web Application Firewall?
Google Cloud Armor 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: Google Cloud Armor or Qualys Web Application Firewall?
Neither provider offers a completely free tier. Google Cloud Armor scores higher for value (4.0/5). Total cost depends on your traffic volume, required features, and support level needs.
Which works better with AWS: Google Cloud Armor or Qualys Web Application Firewall?
Qualys Web Application Firewall explicitly supports AWS while Google Cloud Armor's AWS integration may vary. Consider whether native AWS integration or cross-cloud portability matters more for your use case.