Qualys Web Application Firewall vs StackPath Web Application Firewall
Both Qualys Web Application Firewall and StackPath Web Application Firewall are capable WAF solutions. The right choice depends on your specific infrastructure, budget, and feature requirements.
Overview
Qualys Web Application Firewall and StackPath 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-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.
Edge-based WAF that was part of StackPath's CDN and edge computing platform. Discontinued in June 2024 when the company shut down operations.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Qualys Web Application Firewall | StackPath Web Application Firewall |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 3.0/5 | 1.0/5 |
| Free Tier | No | No |
| Pricing Model | Subscription, per-asset licensing (product decommissioned) | Per site / Per bandwidth tier (discontinued) |
| Ease of Use | 3.2/5 | 1.0/5 |
| Value for Money | 2.5/5 | 1.0/5 |
| Support | 3.5/5 | 1.0/5 |
| Platforms | VMware, Hyper-V, Docker, AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform | Cloud (SaaS, discontinued) |
| Compliance | PCI DSS, SOC 2, FedRAMP, ISO 27001 (Qualys platform level) | SOC 2, PCI DSS (historical) |
Pricing Comparison
Qualys Web Application Firewall
Model: Subscription, per-asset licensing (product decommissioned)
Qualys WAF (Decommissioned)
Previously subscription-based
StackPath Web Application Firewall
Model: Per site / Per bandwidth tier (discontinued)
Edge Delivery 200
$27.50/month
Edge Delivery 2000
$275/month
Features Comparison
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.
StackPath Web Application Firewall
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Edge WAF
Application-layer firewall deployed at the edge, filtering traffic before it reached origin servers. Included OWASP Top 10 coverage and custom rule support.
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DDoS Protection
Volumetric and application-layer DDoS mitigation integrated with the CDN edge network.
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Bot Management
Bot detection and mitigation using behavioral analysis and challenge-based verification.
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Real-time Analytics
Dashboard showing traffic patterns, blocked requests, and attack trends across protected sites.
Which One Is Right for You?
The best WAF depends on your specific requirements, infrastructure, and team expertise.
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
StackPath Web Application Firewall
- You need: Historical reference only. StackPath is no longer available.
- You're using: Cloud (SaaS, discontinued)
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: Qualys Web Application Firewall or StackPath Web Application Firewall?
Qualys Web Application Firewall has a higher support rating (3.5/5) compared to StackPath Web Application Firewall (1.0/5). 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: Qualys Web Application Firewall or StackPath Web Application Firewall?
Qualys Web Application Firewall scores higher for ease of use (3.2/5) versus StackPath Web Application Firewall (1.0/5). The actual implementation effort depends on your existing infrastructure and team expertise.
Which is more cost-effective: Qualys Web Application Firewall or StackPath Web Application Firewall?
Neither provider offers a completely free tier. Qualys Web Application Firewall scores higher for value (2.5/5). Total cost depends on your traffic volume, required features, and support level needs.
Which works better with AWS: Qualys Web Application Firewall or StackPath Web Application Firewall?
Qualys Web Application Firewall explicitly supports AWS while StackPath Web Application Firewall's AWS integration may vary. Consider whether native AWS integration or cross-cloud portability matters more for your use case.