Nexusguard Application Protection vs Qualys Web Application Firewall
Both Nexusguard Application Protection and Qualys Web Application Firewall are capable WAF solutions. The right choice depends on your specific infrastructure, budget, and feature requirements.
Overview
Nexusguard Application Protection and Qualys 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.
DDoS mitigation specialist for communications service providers and APAC enterprises, with web application firewall capability layered into its Application Protection product rather than sold as a standalone WAF.
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.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Nexusguard Application Protection | Qualys Web Application Firewall |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 3.6/5 | 3.0/5 |
| Free Tier | No | No |
| Pricing Model | Custom enterprise pricing | Subscription, per-asset licensing (product decommissioned) |
| Ease of Use | 3.5/5 | 3.2/5 |
| Value for Money | 3.4/5 | 2.5/5 |
| Support | 3.8/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Platforms | Any web application (cloud-based proxy) | VMware, Hyper-V, Docker, AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform |
| Compliance | SOC 2, ISO 27001, PCI DSS | PCI DSS, SOC 2, FedRAMP, ISO 27001 (Qualys platform level) |
Pricing Comparison
Nexusguard Application Protection
Model: Custom enterprise pricing
Enterprise
Custom pricing
Qualys Web Application Firewall
Model: Subscription, per-asset licensing (product decommissioned)
Qualys WAF (Decommissioned)
Previously subscription-based
Features Comparison
Nexusguard Application Protection
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DDoS Threat Intelligence
Proprietary threat intelligence from monitoring global DDoS attack patterns.
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CSP Protection
Specialized solutions for communications service providers.
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.
Which One Is Right for You?
The best WAF depends on your specific requirements, infrastructure, and team expertise.
Nexusguard Application Protection
- You need: Service providers, APAC enterprises, organizations needing combined WAF and DDoS protection
- You're using: Any web application (cloud-based proxy)
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
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: Nexusguard Application Protection or Qualys Web Application Firewall?
Nexusguard Application Protection 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: Nexusguard Application Protection or Qualys Web Application Firewall?
Nexusguard Application Protection scores higher for ease of use (3.5/5) 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: Nexusguard Application Protection or Qualys Web Application Firewall?
Neither provider offers a completely free tier. Nexusguard Application Protection scores higher for value (3.4/5). Total cost depends on your traffic volume, required features, and support level needs.
Which works better with AWS: Nexusguard Application Protection or Qualys Web Application Firewall?
Qualys Web Application Firewall explicitly supports AWS while Nexusguard Application Protection's AWS integration may vary. Consider whether native AWS integration or cross-cloud portability matters more for your use case.
Which is better for enterprise: Nexusguard Application Protection or Qualys Web Application Firewall?
Nexusguard Application Protection 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.