Qualys Web Application Firewall vs Wallarm API Security Platform

Both Qualys Web Application Firewall and Wallarm API Security Platform are capable WAF solutions. The right choice depends on your specific infrastructure, budget, and feature requirements.

View Qualys Web Application Firewall Review View Wallarm API Security Platform Review

Overview

Qualys Web Application Firewall and Wallarm API Security Platform 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.

API-first security platform combining cloud-native WAF, automated security testing, and advanced API abuse detection with real-time blocking capabilities.

Quick Comparison

Feature	Qualys Web Application Firewall	Wallarm API Security Platform
Overall Rating	3.0/5	4.3/5
Free Tier	No	Yes
Pricing Model	Subscription, per-asset licensing (product decommissioned)	Subscription based on requests
Ease of Use	3.2/5	4.0/5
Value for Money	2.5/5	4.2/5
Support	3.5/5	4.1/5
Platforms	VMware, Hyper-V, Docker, AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform	AWS, GCP, Azure, Kubernetes, Docker, eBPF, any cloud environment
Compliance	PCI DSS, SOC 2, FedRAMP, ISO 27001 (Qualys platform level)	SOC 2, GDPR, HIPAA

Pricing Comparison

Qualys Web Application Firewall

Model: Subscription, per-asset licensing (product decommissioned)

Qualys WAF (Decommissioned)

Previously subscription-based

View full pricing →

Wallarm API Security Platform

Model: Subscription based on requests

Free Tier Available

Free Tier

$0/month

Pro

Starting $833/month

Enterprise

Custom pricing

View full pricing →

Features Comparison

Qualys Web Application Firewall

WAS Integration
Automatically generate WAF rules from Qualys Web Application Scanning results for one-click virtual patching.
Cloud-Managed Appliance
Virtual appliance deployed locally but managed centrally through the Qualys Cloud Platform.
Custom Security Policies
Flexible policy engine with reusable rules and templates for common platforms and custom applications.
Pre-Built CMS Policies
Out-of-the-box protection policies for WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, SharePoint, and Outlook Web Application.
Security Event Analytics
Detailed dashboards with traffic summaries, threat trends, and drill-down capabilities for incident investigation.
Local Traffic Processing
Application traffic stays within your environment for minimal latency and full data control.

Wallarm API Security Platform

API Discovery
Automatically discover and inventory all APIs with visibility into sensitive data flows and business-critical endpoints.
API Abuse Prevention
Patented AI/ML detection for sophisticated API abuse, credential stuffing, and account takeover attacks.
Cloud-Native WAAP
Web application and API protection deployable across any environment with single-day implementation.
Security Testing
Integrated DAST and automated fuzzing to proactively identify vulnerabilities in APIs and applications.
API Attack Surface Management
Agentless discovery of external API hosts, missing WAF coverage, vulnerabilities, and API leaks.
Agentic AI Protection
Specialized protection for AI-powered applications and agentic AI systems.

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

Learn more →

Wallarm API Security Platform

You need: API-heavy applications, microservices architectures, DevSecOps teams, organizations wanting integrated security testing
You want to start with a free tier
You're using: AWS, GCP, Azure, Kubernetes, Docker, eBPF, any cloud environment

Learn more →

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 Wallarm API Security Platform?

Wallarm API Security Platform offers a free tier while Qualys Web Application Firewall does not, making Wallarm API Security Platform more accessible for budget-conscious startups. Wallarm API Security Platform scores higher for ease of use (4.0/5), 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 Wallarm API Security Platform?

Wallarm API Security Platform has a higher support rating (4.1/5) 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 Wallarm API Security Platform?

Wallarm API Security Platform scores higher for ease of use (4.0/5) 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 Wallarm API Security Platform?

Wallarm API Security Platform offers a free tier while Qualys Web Application Firewall requires a paid plan. Wallarm API Security Platform 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 Wallarm API Security Platform?

Both Qualys Web Application Firewall and Wallarm API Security Platform support AWS deployments. Consider whether native AWS integration or cross-cloud portability matters more for your use case.