LiteSpeed Web Server WAF vs Qualys Web Application Firewall

Both LiteSpeed Web Server WAF and Qualys Web Application Firewall are capable WAF solutions. The right choice depends on your specific infrastructure, budget, and feature requirements.

View LiteSpeed Web Server WAF Review View Qualys Web Application Firewall Review

Overview

LiteSpeed Web Server WAF 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.

Built-in WAF module for LiteSpeed Web Server providing ModSecurity-compatible protection with high performance and low resource usage.

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 LiteSpeed Web Server WAF Qualys Web Application Firewall
Overall Rating 3.8/5 3.0/5
Free Tier Yes No
Pricing Model Per-server license Subscription, per-asset licensing (product decommissioned)
Ease of Use 4.0/5 3.2/5
Value for Money 4.5/5 2.5/5
Support 3.5/5 3.5/5
Platforms Linux servers VMware, Hyper-V, Docker, AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform
Compliance PCI DSS (with proper configuration) PCI DSS, SOC 2, FedRAMP, ISO 27001 (Qualys platform level)

Pricing Comparison

LiteSpeed Web Server WAF

Model: Per-server license

Free Tier Available

OpenLiteSpeed

Free

LiteSpeed Enterprise

From $0 (1-worker) to $92/month

View full pricing →

Qualys Web Application Firewall

Model: Subscription, per-asset licensing (product decommissioned)

Qualys WAF (Decommissioned)

Previously subscription-based

View full pricing →

Features Comparison

LiteSpeed Web Server WAF

  • ModSecurity Compatibility

    Supports ModSecurity rules with significantly better performance than Apache mod_security.

  • Built-In WAF

    WAF integrated directly into the web server for minimal overhead.

  • OWASP CRS Support

    Compatible with the OWASP Core Rule Set; CRS must be enabled and the rule set installed, it is not active by default.

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.

LiteSpeed Web Server WAF

  • You need: Hosting providers, WordPress sites on LiteSpeed, organizations wanting server-level WAF
  • You want to start with a free tier
  • You're using: Linux servers
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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
Learn more →

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: LiteSpeed Web Server WAF or Qualys Web Application Firewall?

LiteSpeed Web Server WAF offers a free tier while Qualys Web Application Firewall does not, which may be important for early-stage startups. LiteSpeed Web Server WAF scores higher for ease of use (4.0/5), which is valuable for smaller teams. Consider your immediate security needs and growth plans when choosing.

Which has better support: LiteSpeed Web Server WAF or Qualys Web Application Firewall?

Qualys Web Application Firewall has a higher support rating (3.5/5) compared to LiteSpeed Web Server WAF (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: LiteSpeed Web Server WAF or Qualys Web Application Firewall?

LiteSpeed Web Server WAF 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: LiteSpeed Web Server WAF or Qualys Web Application Firewall?

LiteSpeed Web Server WAF offers a free tier while Qualys Web Application Firewall requires a paid plan. LiteSpeed Web Server WAF scores higher for value (4.5/5). Total cost depends on your traffic volume, required features, and support level needs.

Which works better with AWS: LiteSpeed Web Server WAF or Qualys Web Application Firewall?

Qualys Web Application Firewall explicitly supports AWS while LiteSpeed Web Server WAF's AWS integration may vary. Consider whether native AWS integration or cross-cloud portability matters more for your use case.