MalCare Security vs Qualys Web Application Firewall
Both MalCare Security and Qualys Web Application Firewall are capable WAF solutions. The right choice depends on your specific infrastructure, budget, and feature requirements.
Overview
MalCare Security 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.
Cloud-based WordPress security plugin with off-server malware scanning, one-click malware removal, real-time firewall, and uptime monitoring without impacting site performance.
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 | MalCare Security | Qualys Web Application Firewall |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 4.0/5 | 3.0/5 |
| Free Tier | Yes | No |
| Pricing Model | Freemium (Free tier + annual subscriptions) | Subscription, per-asset licensing (product decommissioned) |
| Ease of Use | 4.5/5 | 3.2/5 |
| Value for Money | 3.8/5 | 2.5/5 |
| Support | 4.0/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Platforms | WordPress (self-hosted) | VMware, Hyper-V, Docker, AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform |
| Compliance | Contact vendor | PCI DSS, SOC 2, FedRAMP, ISO 27001 (Qualys platform level) |
Pricing Comparison
MalCare Security
Model: Freemium (Free tier + annual subscriptions)
Free Tier AvailableFree
$0
Plus
$149/year (~$12.42/month)
Prime
$199/year (~$16.58/month)
Qualys Web Application Firewall
Model: Subscription, per-asset licensing (product decommissioned)
Qualys WAF (Decommissioned)
Previously subscription-based
Features Comparison
MalCare Security
-
Cloud-Based Malware Scanning
Scans your site files on MalCare''s servers, detecting malware without consuming your server''s resources.
-
One-Click Malware Removal
Automatically cleans detected malware with a single click, without requiring security expertise.
-
Real-Time Firewall
Endpoint firewall with auto-updated rules based on threat intelligence from the MalCare/BlogVault network.
-
Login Protection
CAPTCHA-based login page protection, brute force prevention, and two-factor authentication.
-
Vulnerability Monitoring
Monitors plugins and themes for known vulnerabilities and alerts when updates are needed.
-
Uptime Monitoring
Checks site availability at regular intervals and sends alerts when downtime is detected (Plus and above).
-
White-Label Dashboard
Agency-friendly dashboard with white-labeling for managing client site security under your brand.
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.
MalCare Security
- You need: WordPress site owners wanting malware scanning without performance impact, agencies managing multiple client sites, sites that need automated malware cleanup capability
- You want to start with a free tier
- You're using: WordPress (self-hosted)
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 is better for startups: MalCare Security or Qualys Web Application Firewall?
MalCare Security offers a free tier while Qualys Web Application Firewall does not, which may be important for early-stage startups. MalCare Security scores higher for ease of use (4.5/5), which is valuable for smaller teams. Consider your immediate security needs and growth plans when choosing.
Which has better support: MalCare Security or Qualys Web Application Firewall?
MalCare Security 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: MalCare Security or Qualys Web Application Firewall?
MalCare Security scores higher for ease of use (4.5/5) 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: MalCare Security or Qualys Web Application Firewall?
MalCare Security offers a free tier while Qualys Web Application Firewall requires a paid plan. MalCare Security 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: MalCare Security or Qualys Web Application Firewall?
Qualys Web Application Firewall explicitly supports AWS while MalCare Security's AWS integration may vary. Consider whether native AWS integration or cross-cloud portability matters more for your use case.