Qualys Web Application Firewall vs Vercel Firewall
Both Qualys Web Application Firewall and Vercel Firewall are capable WAF solutions. The right choice depends on your specific infrastructure, budget, and feature requirements.
Overview
Qualys Web Application Firewall and Vercel 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 web application firewall built into the Vercel platform, providing DDoS protection, bot management, and configurable security rules for Next.js and other frontend applications deployed on Vercel.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Qualys Web Application Firewall | Vercel Firewall |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 3.0/5 | 3.8/5 |
| Free Tier | No | Yes |
| Pricing Model | Subscription, per-asset licensing (product decommissioned) | Included in Vercel plans, features vary by tier |
| Ease of Use | 3.2/5 | 4.8/5 |
| Value for Money | 2.5/5 | 4.2/5 |
| Support | 3.5/5 | 3.8/5 |
| Platforms | VMware, Hyper-V, Docker, AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform | Vercel platform only (Next.js, React, Svelte, Vue, Nuxt, Astro, and other frameworks) |
| Compliance | PCI DSS, SOC 2, FedRAMP, ISO 27001 (Qualys platform level) | SOC 2 Type II, GDPR, HIPAA (Enterprise) |
Pricing Comparison
Qualys Web Application Firewall
Model: Subscription, per-asset licensing (product decommissioned)
Qualys WAF (Decommissioned)
Previously subscription-based
Vercel Firewall
Model: Included in Vercel plans, features vary by tier
Free Tier AvailableHobby (Free)
$0/month
Pro
$20/month per team member
Enterprise
Custom 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.
Vercel Firewall
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Edge-Based Protection
Firewall runs at the edge across Vercel''s global network, blocking threats before they reach origin servers or serverless functions.
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DDoS Protection
Automatic DDoS mitigation at the network and application layer, included on all plans with no configuration required.
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Rate Limiting
Configurable rate limits per IP, path, or custom criteria to prevent abuse of APIs and serverless functions.
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Bot Management
Detection and management of automated traffic using behavioral signals and challenge pages.
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Custom Firewall Rules
Configurable rules based on IP, geography, headers, paths, and request properties via dashboard or vercel.json.
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Attack Challenge Mode
Automatic challenge pages for suspicious traffic during active attacks, allowing legitimate users through while blocking bots.
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
Vercel Firewall
- You need: Next.js and React applications on Vercel, frontend teams wanting integrated security, Jamstack projects, developers wanting zero-config protection
- You want to start with a free tier
- You're using: Vercel platform only (Next.js, React, Svelte, Vue, Nuxt, Astro, and other frameworks)
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 Vercel Firewall?
Vercel Firewall offers a free tier while Qualys Web Application Firewall does not, making Vercel Firewall more accessible for budget-conscious startups. Vercel Firewall scores higher for ease of use (4.8/5), 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 Vercel Firewall?
Vercel Firewall has a higher support rating (3.8/5) 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 Vercel Firewall?
Vercel Firewall scores higher for ease of use (4.8/5) 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: Qualys Web Application Firewall or Vercel Firewall?
Vercel Firewall offers a free tier while Qualys Web Application Firewall requires a paid plan. Vercel Firewall scores higher for value (4.2/5). Total cost depends on your traffic volume, required features, and support level needs.
Which works better with AWS: Qualys Web Application Firewall or Vercel Firewall?
Qualys Web Application Firewall explicitly supports AWS while Vercel Firewall's AWS integration may vary. Consider whether native AWS integration or cross-cloud portability matters more for your use case.