Qualys Web Application Firewall vs Tempesta FW
Qualys Web Application Firewall and Tempesta FW take different approaches to web application security. Consider your team's expertise and infrastructure preferences when evaluating these options.
Qualys Web Application Firewall and Tempesta FW take fundamentally different approaches to web application security. Understanding your infrastructure and team capabilities will help determine which approach fits your needs.
Overview
Qualys Web Application Firewall and Tempesta FW 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.
High-performance open-source WAF and web accelerator built directly into the Linux kernel, delivering up to 1.8M requests per second with integrated L3-L7 DDoS protection and automated bot mitigation via WebShield.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Qualys Web Application Firewall | Tempesta FW |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 3.0/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Free Tier | No | Yes |
| Pricing Model | Subscription, per-asset licensing (product decommissioned) | Free (open source) + professional services |
| Ease of Use | 3.2/5 | 2.5/5 |
| Value for Money | 2.5/5 | 4.8/5 |
| Support | 3.5/5 | 3.0/5 |
| Open Source | No | Yes |
| Platforms | VMware, Hyper-V, Docker, AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform | Linux (kernel-level integration), bare metal, cloud VMs |
| Compliance | PCI DSS, SOC 2, FedRAMP, ISO 27001 (Qualys platform level) | Contact vendor |
Pricing Comparison
Qualys Web Application Firewall
Model: Subscription, per-asset licensing (product decommissioned)
Qualys WAF (Decommissioned)
Previously subscription-based
Tempesta FW
Model: Free (open source) + professional services
Free Tier AvailableOpen Source
Free
Professional Services
Contact for pricing
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.
Tempesta FW
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Kernel-Level Performance
Built directly into Linux TCP/IP stack, processing up to 1.8M HTTP requests per second - 3x faster than Nginx or HAProxy.
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Multi-Layer DDoS Protection
Integrated protection against volumetric and application-layer DDoS attacks with rate limiting, JavaScript challenges, and adaptive QoS.
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HTTP Tables
Extends Linux iptables/nftables for application-layer filtering, enabling rules that combine IP addresses with HTTP headers and content.
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Intelligent Load Balancing
Machine learning-powered load balancing with persistent sessions, weighted round-robin, and rendezvous hashing strategies.
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Web Acceleration
Built-in caching using Tempesta DB, an ultra-fast in-memory database with NUMA-aware distribution and SIMD optimizations.
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High-Performance TLS
Tempesta TLS is 40-80% faster than Nginx/OpenSSL with 4x lower latency for TLS handshakes.
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Bot Protection (WebShield)
Open-source automated bot protection via WebShield — detects and blocks DDoS bots, scrapers, shopping bots, and booking bots using TLS and HTTP fingerprint analysis on access logs stored in ClickHouse.
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Volumetric DDoS Protection
Upcoming open-source volumetric DDoS protection solution, completing a full L3-L7 DDoS and bot mitigation stack when combined with Tempesta FW's application-layer defences and WebShield.
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Native XDP Integration
Uses Linux XDP (eXpress Data Path) for early packet dropping, enabling efficient mitigation of volumetric attacks.
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
Tempesta FW
- You need: High-traffic sites requiring maximum performance, organizations with Linux expertise, teams wanting to replace multiple infrastructure components, performance-critical applications
- You want to start with a free tier
- You prefer open-source solutions
- You're using: Linux (kernel-level integration), bare metal, cloud VMs
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: Qualys Web Application Firewall or Tempesta FW?
Tempesta FW offers a free tier while Qualys Web Application Firewall does not, making Tempesta FW more accessible for budget-conscious startups. Qualys Web Application Firewall scores higher for ease of use (3.2/5), which is valuable for smaller teams. Consider your immediate security needs and growth plans when choosing.
Which has better support: Qualys Web Application Firewall or Tempesta FW?
Qualys Web Application Firewall has a higher support rating (3.5/5) compared to Tempesta FW (3.0/5). 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 Tempesta FW?
Qualys Web Application Firewall scores higher for ease of use (3.2/5) versus Tempesta FW (2.5/5). The actual implementation effort depends on your existing infrastructure and team expertise.
Which is more cost-effective: Qualys Web Application Firewall or Tempesta FW?
Tempesta FW offers a free tier while Qualys Web Application Firewall requires a paid plan. Tempesta FW scores higher for value (4.8/5). Total cost depends on your traffic volume, required features, and support level needs.
Which works better with AWS: Qualys Web Application Firewall or Tempesta FW?
Qualys Web Application Firewall explicitly supports AWS while Tempesta FW's AWS integration may vary. Consider whether native AWS integration or cross-cloud portability matters more for your use case.