Qualys Web Application Firewall vs ThreatX by A10 Networks
Both Qualys Web Application Firewall and ThreatX by A10 Networks are capable WAF solutions. The right choice depends on your specific infrastructure, budget, and feature requirements.
Overview
Qualys Web Application Firewall and ThreatX by A10 Networks 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.
Managed WAAP that combines a next-gen WAF, API protection, bot defense, and Layer 7 DDoS mitigation with behavioral risk scoring and a 24/7 SOC included in the subscription.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Qualys Web Application Firewall | ThreatX by A10 Networks |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 3.0/5 | 4.2/5 |
| Free Tier | No | No |
| Pricing Model | Subscription, per-asset licensing (product decommissioned) | Subscription tiered by monthly HTTP/HTTPS request volume, managed SOC included |
| Ease of Use | 3.2/5 | 4.4/5 |
| Value for Money | 2.5/5 | 3.9/5 |
| Support | 3.5/5 | 4.6/5 |
| Platforms | VMware, Hyper-V, Docker, AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform | AWS, Azure, GCP, Docker, on-premises data centers, virtual private cloud, hybrid environments |
| Compliance | PCI DSS, SOC 2, FedRAMP, ISO 27001 (Qualys platform level) | SOC 2 Type 2 (Security and Availability), supports PCI DSS Requirement 6.6, GDPR |
Pricing Comparison
Qualys Web Application Firewall
Model: Subscription, per-asset licensing (product decommissioned)
Qualys WAF (Decommissioned)
Previously subscription-based
ThreatX by A10 Networks
Model: Subscription tiered by monthly HTTP/HTTPS request volume, managed SOC included
ThreatX Protect
Custom quote
Enterprise
Contact Sales
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.
ThreatX by A10 Networks
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Hacker Mind Risk Engine
Adaptive risk scoring that tracks entities across sessions and attack vectors, correlating probing behavior over time instead of judging requests one at a time.
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Managed SOC
24/7 analysts included in the subscription who tune policies, hunt threats, apply virtual patches, and hand-validate alerts before they reach your team.
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API Protection
Automatic API cataloging with behavioral analysis and fingerprinting to catch abuse, enumeration, and business logic attacks against north-south API traffic.
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Bot Management
Blocks credential stuffing, scraping, and scalping by profiling the attacker rather than matching a static bot signature list.
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Layer 7 DDoS Defense
Entity and transaction based tracking that absorbs multi-vector application-layer floods without blanket rate limits on real users.
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Sensitive Data Redaction
Automatic redaction of credentials, tokens, card numbers, and SSN patterns in captured traffic, with a 90-day retention policy.
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
ThreatX by A10 Networks
- You need: Mid-market and enterprise teams without a dedicated appsec function, API-heavy applications, organizations that want managed detection rather than another dashboard to tune
- You're using: AWS, Azure, GCP, Docker, on-premises data centers, virtual private cloud, hybrid environments
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 ThreatX by A10 Networks?
ThreatX by A10 Networks has a higher support rating (4.6/5) 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: Qualys Web Application Firewall or ThreatX by A10 Networks?
ThreatX by A10 Networks scores higher for ease of use (4.4/5) 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: Qualys Web Application Firewall or ThreatX by A10 Networks?
Neither provider offers a completely free tier. ThreatX by A10 Networks scores higher for value (3.9/5). Total cost depends on your traffic volume, required features, and support level needs.
Which works better with AWS: Qualys Web Application Firewall or ThreatX by A10 Networks?
Both Qualys Web Application Firewall and ThreatX by A10 Networks support AWS deployments. Consider whether native AWS integration or cross-cloud portability matters more for your use case.
Which is better for enterprise: Qualys Web Application Firewall or ThreatX by A10 Networks?
ThreatX by A10 Networks is positioned for enterprise use cases, while Qualys Web Application Firewall may be more suited for small to mid-market organizations. Both offer compliance certifications important for enterprise. Enterprise buyers should evaluate SLAs, support options, and integration capabilities.