Qualys Web Application Firewall vs Traceable Application & API Security Platform
Both Qualys Web Application Firewall and Traceable Application & API Security Platform are capable WAF solutions. The right choice depends on your specific infrastructure, budget, and feature requirements.
Overview
Qualys Web Application Firewall and Traceable Application & 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.
AI-powered API security platform combining WAF/WAAP, automated API discovery, security testing, and bot protection with runtime defense across any environment.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Qualys Web Application Firewall | Traceable Application & API Security Platform |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 3.0/5 | 4.2/5 |
| Free Tier | No | No |
| Pricing Model | Subscription, per-asset licensing (product decommissioned) | Enterprise subscription (custom pricing) |
| Ease of Use | 3.2/5 | 3.8/5 |
| Value for Money | 2.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Support | 3.5/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Platforms | VMware, Hyper-V, Docker, AWS, Azure, Google Cloud Platform | AWS, GCP, Azure, Kubernetes, Docker, any cloud or on-prem 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
Traceable Application & API Security Platform
Model: Enterprise subscription (custom pricing)
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.
Traceable Application & API Security Platform
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API Discovery & Posture Management
Automatically discover every API from live production traffic including REST, GraphQL, gRPC, SOAP, and WebSocket. Identifies shadow, zombie, and orphaned APIs with continuous risk assessment.
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Runtime WAAP Protection
Cloud-native WAF and API protection against OWASP Top 10, OWASP API Top 10, SQL injection, XSS, and application-layer attacks with behavioral ML detection.
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API Security Testing (AST)
Zero-config security tests generated from real and replayed traffic. Integrated with CI/CD pipelines for automated pre-production vulnerability discovery. No inactive endpoint noise.
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Bot Protection
Advanced bot detection using behavioral analysis, volumetric detection, browser/device anomaly detection, and custom policies. Distinguishes legitimate bots from malicious automation.
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DDoS Protection
Mitigates large-scale traffic floods and application-layer DDoS attacks with rate limiting and anomaly-based detection.
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Sensitive Data Discovery
Automatically identify API endpoints handling sensitive data (PII, financial, regulated) without appropriate authentication or zero-trust policies.
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AI-Powered Insights
AI chatbot for natural-language queries about APIs, threats, and exposures. AI explains detected issues, assesses severity, and recommends remediation in developer-friendly language.
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WAF Integration
Integrates with existing WAFs (AWS WAF, Cloudflare) to add API context and advanced threat detection without replacing your current security stack.
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
Traceable Application & API Security Platform
- You need: API-heavy applications, microservices architectures, organizations wanting unified API security (discovery + testing + protection), DevSecOps teams, enterprises with complex API ecosystems, regulated industries handling sensitive data
- You're using: AWS, GCP, Azure, Kubernetes, Docker, any cloud or on-prem environment
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 Traceable Application & API Security Platform?
Traceable Application & API Security Platform has a higher support rating (4.0/5) 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 Traceable Application & API Security Platform?
Traceable Application & API Security Platform scores higher for ease of use (3.8/5) 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 Traceable Application & API Security Platform?
Neither provider offers a completely free tier. Traceable Application & API Security Platform scores higher for value (3.5/5). Total cost depends on your traffic volume, required features, and support level needs.
Which works better with AWS: Qualys Web Application Firewall or Traceable Application & API Security Platform?
Both Qualys Web Application Firewall and Traceable Application & API Security Platform 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 Traceable Application & API Security Platform?
Traceable Application & API Security Platform 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.