Modshield SB vs Qualys Web Application Firewall
Both Modshield SB and Qualys Web Application Firewall are capable WAF solutions. The right choice depends on your specific infrastructure, budget, and feature requirements.
Overview
Modshield SB 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.
ModSecurity-based web application firewall with an intuitive management UI, offering IP reputation filtering, geo-blocking, SIEM integration, and built-in load balancing in a self-hosted virtual appliance.
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 | Modshield SB | Qualys Web Application Firewall |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 3.5/5 | 3.0/5 |
| Free Tier | No | No |
| Pricing Model | Subscription-based, per appliance | Subscription, per-asset licensing (product decommissioned) |
| Ease of Use | 3.8/5 | 3.2/5 |
| Value for Money | 3.5/5 | 2.5/5 |
| Support | 3.3/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Platforms | Any web application (deployed as reverse proxy VM) | VMware, Hyper-V, Docker, AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform |
| Compliance | OWASP Top 10 coverage, PCI DSS support | PCI DSS, SOC 2, FedRAMP, ISO 27001 (Qualys platform level) |
Pricing Comparison
Modshield SB
Model: Subscription-based, per appliance
Standard
Contact for pricing
Enterprise
Contact for pricing
Qualys Web Application Firewall
Model: Subscription, per-asset licensing (product decommissioned)
Qualys WAF (Decommissioned)
Previously subscription-based
Features Comparison
Modshield SB
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ModSecurity Engine
Built on the proven ModSecurity WAF engine with full OWASP Core Rule Set compatibility.
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IP Reputation Filtering
Automatically block traffic from known malicious IP addresses using continuously updated threat intelligence feeds.
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Geo-Blocking
Country-level blacklisting and whitelisting to restrict access based on geographic origin.
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SIEM Integration
Forward security logs to external SIEM systems like Splunk and Elasticsearch for centralized monitoring.
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Built-in Load Balancer
Integrated load balancing distributes traffic across multiple backend servers without additional infrastructure.
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Compliance Metrics
Built-in compliance reporting and dashboards to help meet regulatory requirements.
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.
Modshield SB
- You need: Organizations wanting managed ModSecurity with a GUI, self-hosted WAF requirements, compliance-focused deployments
- You're using: Any web application (deployed as reverse proxy VM)
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: Modshield SB or Qualys Web Application Firewall?
Qualys Web Application Firewall has a higher support rating (3.5/5) compared to Modshield SB (3.3/5). 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: Modshield SB or Qualys Web Application Firewall?
Modshield SB 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: Modshield SB or Qualys Web Application Firewall?
Neither provider offers a completely free tier. Modshield SB scores higher for value (3.5/5). Total cost depends on your traffic volume, required features, and support level needs.
Which works better with AWS: Modshield SB or Qualys Web Application Firewall?
Qualys Web Application Firewall explicitly supports AWS while Modshield SB's AWS integration may vary. Consider whether native AWS integration or cross-cloud portability matters more for your use case.