Qualys is a company well-known in the cloud security industry. The company provides compliance and related services. Similarly, it offers cloud security solutions. Qualys started its operations in 1999 and has evolved over the years. Qualys was the first company to provide vulnerability management solutions as applications. Currently, it has over 10,000 customers in over 130 countries, including some names in the Forbes Global 100.
Qualys offers a renowned web application scanner. This scanner helps in detecting application threats fast and accurately. Similarly, it is well-known for security teams for identifying and cataloguing all web apps in the network. These include unknown and new applications. On top of that, it performs dynamic deep scans that cover all types of apps. However, its services only apply to cloud solutions.
Qualys operates in a market where the competition is significantly high. The company competes with several names to maintain its market position. Overall, the top 10 Qualys competitors and alternatives include the following names.
1. AlienVault USM
AlienVault Unified Security Management is a product of AT&T Cybersecurity. The company operates as a subsidiary of AT&T and provides services to manage cyber-attacks. Initially, it ran as AlienVault. Since AT&T took over the company in 2018, it became AT&T Cybersecurity. Despite that, the company still offers its AlienVault USM product. This product is one of the top Qualys competitors.
AlienVault USM is a cloud-based security management solution. It aims to accelerate and centralize threat detection, incident response and compliance management for the cloud. Primarily, it includes cloud sensors to monitor Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Microsoft Azure cloud environments. With AlienVault USM, clients can rapidly deploy sensors into their cloud and on-premises solutions.
2. Tenable.io
Tenable.io is a well-known risk-based vulnerability management (RBVM) platform. It allows users to see all assets and vulnerabilities across their attack surface. Usually, it covers cloud, OT and container environments. Similarly, Tenable.io enables users to predict their risks within the context of their business risk. The platform also acts on every high-priority vulnerability to manage those risks effectively.
Tenable.io provides comprehensive RBVM solutions available. It helps prioritize users’ remediation efforts. Consequently, it allows better and more decisive actions to reduce the business risk with the least amount of effort. Tenable.io operates under Tenable, Inc., a cybersecurity company in Maryland, US. It started its operations in 2002 and has been one of the most successful companies in the industry.
3. Nessus
Nessus is another alternative to Qualys. The platform operates under Tenable, which also runs Tenable.io. However, Nessus is the more well-known of the two products. Nessus is a proprietary vulnerability scanner and allows users to scan various vulnerabilities and exposures. This process covers a broad range of technologies, including operating systems, web services, databases and network devices.
Nessus allows users to scan vulnerabilities that could prompt unauthorized access to sensitive data. Similarly, it identifies misconfiguration, default passwords, DoS attacks and other issues. The platform reports the results of these cans in various formats. Moreover, Nessus provides additional functionality beyond testing for network vulnerabilities. Overall, it offers organized cybersecurity solutions.
4. Azure Security Center
Azure is a brand that operates under Microsoft. This brand includes the company’s cloud-based solutions and products. While most products on this list provide integration with Azure, it also comes with its security system. This system, known as Azure Security Center, integrates internally with Azure cloud services. For users using those solutions, this security system is more suitable.
Azure Security Center provides security management and threat protection. It covers various hybrid cloud workloads. Similarly, it allows users to prevent, detect and respond to security threats with increased visibility. Azure Security Center comes with equipped tools to cover Azure services. However, its integration with Microsoft products only may be its downside.
5. Netsparker
Netsparker is another Qualys competitor. It is best for interactive and proof-based scanning in dynamic environments. Similarly, it is a fully-featured web application vulnerability scanner. Users can integrate it within their system development life cycle. Netsparker features a visualized dashboard, which provides a better picture of activity. On top of that, it presents identified vulnerabilities and web assets.
Netsparker combines signature and behaviour-based analysis. Consequently, it achieves more accurate and faster vulnerability detection. It also offers detailed documentation on all of those vulnerabilities. Similarly, Nersparker comes equipped with DAST+IAST security testing. It covers full web asset discovery. Netsparker also gives the ability to scan all types of web apps, services and APIs.
6. Acunetix
Acunetix is a web application scanner that is easy to use and configure. It offers fast and accurate scans and covers over 7,000 types of vulnerabilities. Due to its user-friendliness, Accunetix is one of the favourite tools for non-technical users. Furthermore, these users can use the app with minimum knowledge of its underlying process. Nonetheless, it is still a powerful tool to detect vulnerabilities.
Accunetix boasts its “Advanced Macro Reading” technology. It allows users to scan complex multi-level forms and password-protected areas. On top of that, it can schedule full and incremental scans based on user requirements. Accunetix integrates with most current tracking systems. This tool comes with scheduled and prioritized scanning features. Similarly, it classifies and identifies all threats before reporting them.
7. Intruder
Intruder offers similar features as Qualys, making it one of the most prominent competitors to the company. Intruder features a comprehensive web asset discovery system. Similarly, it can monitor all privately and publicly accessible scans. Intruder boasts an enterprise-level scan engine. Consequently, it can scan and detect vulnerabilities with better accuracy.
Intruder also verifies all detected threats to reduce false-positive reports. It classifies those threats based on severity and their security threat. Consequently, it allows users to focus on more serious issues. On top of that, Intruder offers intuitive and actionable insights to help users with remedial processes. It also generates compliance reports for security audits.
8. Zscaler
Zscaler is another cloud-security system that focuses on cloud-based IT infrastructures. It facilitates full SSL visibility. Consequently, it inspects SSL across all ports and protocols to detect vulnerabilities. Zscaler is ideal for preventing various types of cybersecurity threats. These include Zero-Day, phishing and ransomware, among others. Zscaler’s platform has processed over 160 billion transactions.
Zscaler provides users with an all0around security cover. Essentially, it moves a system’s security to the cloud. The platform detects any threats and notifies the users of them. On top of that, it also blocks them before those vulnerabilities cause issues to the user’s system. Zscaler comes integrated with policies and contextual visibility. Consequently, it helps in early and accurate threat detection.
9. Checkmarx
Checkmarx is a global software security company that operates in Israel. It provides automated software security technology into DevOps. On top of that, it offers static and interactive application security testing (SAST and IAST). Similarly, its products include software composition analysis, infrastructure as code security testing and application security and training development.
Checkmarx is well-known for its research department. It has been responsible for uncovering technical vulnerabilities in various areas. Currently, Checkmarx operates under Hellman & Friedman, a global private equity firm in San Francisco. The company started its operations in 2006. During the years, it has also been active in the investment market.
10. Indusface WAS
Indusface WAS provides comprehensive scanning. The platform offers support for a functional understanding of logical flaws. Consequently, it helps with in-dept security audits. Indusface WAS boasts zero false-positive guarantees. On top of that, it provides its activities in a comprehensive report with recommendations on remedial actions. Similarly, it offers a free plan with two paid plans.
Indusface WAS comes with a fully-managed SaaS-Based Web Application Security Solution. It can perform business logic vulnerability checks. On top of that, it provides complete and intelligent crawling with a built-in proprietary scanner. Indusface WAS serves as one of the best alternatives to the services provided by Qualys. It comes with automated scans and manual pen-testing done by security experts.
Conclusion
Qualys is a well-known platform for its web application scanner. The company provides various cloud-based solutions that cover several applications. However, it operates in a highly competitive market. Qualys competes with several well-known names which offer similar solutions. Some of the top Qualys competitors and alternatives include the companies listed above.
