Imperva Web Application Firewall vs Qualys Web Application Firewall
Both Imperva Web Application Firewall and Qualys Web Application Firewall are capable WAF solutions. The right choice depends on your specific infrastructure, budget, and feature requirements.
Overview
Imperva Web Application Firewall 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.
Enterprise-grade cloud WAF with industry-leading threat research, offering comprehensive application security with advanced bot protection and API 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 | Imperva Web Application Firewall | Qualys Web Application Firewall |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 4.4/5 | 3.0/5 |
| Free Tier | No | No |
| Pricing Model | Custom enterprise pricing | Subscription, per-asset licensing (product decommissioned) |
| Ease of Use | 3.5/5 | 3.2/5 |
| Value for Money | 3.7/5 | 2.5/5 |
| Support | 4.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Platforms | Any web application, AWS, Azure, GCP, Kubernetes, on-premise | VMware, Hyper-V, Docker, AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform |
| Compliance | SOC 2, PCI DSS, HIPAA, ISO 27001, ISO 27017, ISO 27018 | PCI DSS, SOC 2, FedRAMP, ISO 27001 (Qualys platform level) |
Pricing Comparison
Imperva Web Application Firewall
Model: Custom enterprise pricing
Pro
Starting ~$59/month
Business
Starting ~$299/month
Enterprise
Custom pricing
Qualys Web Application Firewall
Model: Subscription, per-asset licensing (product decommissioned)
Qualys WAF (Decommissioned)
Previously subscription-based
Features Comparison
Imperva Web Application Firewall
-
Advanced Bot Protection
Machine learning-powered bot detection that distinguishes between legitimate users, good bots, and malicious automation.
-
API Security
Discover, classify, and protect APIs with schema validation, anomaly detection, and positive security model.
-
Account Takeover Protection
Detect and prevent credential stuffing and account takeover attacks using behavioral analysis.
-
Client-Side Protection
Monitor and protect against client-side attacks like Magecart, formjacking, and supply chain compromises.
-
Attack Analytics
AI-powered analysis of security events to identify attack campaigns and reduce alert fatigue.
-
Virtual Patching
Immediate protection against known vulnerabilities while you work on permanent fixes.
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.
Imperva Web Application Firewall
- You need: Large enterprises, organizations with sophisticated security requirements, companies needing advanced bot management, regulated industries
- You're using: Any web application, AWS, Azure, GCP, Kubernetes, on-premise
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: Imperva Web Application Firewall or Qualys Web Application Firewall?
Imperva Web Application Firewall 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: Imperva Web Application Firewall or Qualys Web Application Firewall?
Imperva Web Application Firewall scores higher for ease of use (3.5/5) 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: Imperva Web Application Firewall or Qualys Web Application Firewall?
Neither provider offers a completely free tier. Imperva Web Application Firewall scores higher for value (3.7/5). Total cost depends on your traffic volume, required features, and support level needs.
Which works better with AWS: Imperva Web Application Firewall or Qualys Web Application Firewall?
Both Imperva Web Application Firewall and Qualys Web Application Firewall support AWS deployments. Consider whether native AWS integration or cross-cloud portability matters more for your use case.
Which is better for enterprise: Imperva Web Application Firewall or Qualys Web Application Firewall?
Imperva Web Application Firewall is positioned for enterprise use cases, while Qualys Web Application Firewall may be more suited for small to mid-market organizations. Both offer compliance certifications important for enterprise. Enterprise buyers should evaluate SLAs, support options, and integration capabilities.