Aqua Cloud Security Platform vs Bridgecrew comparison

Aqua Security and Palo Alto Networks are both solutions in the Cloud Workload Protection Platforms (CWPP) category. Aqua Security is ranked #15 with an average rating of 7.3, while Palo Alto Networks is ranked #28. Aqua Security holds a 2.4% mindshare in CWPP, compared to Palo Alto Networks’s 0.7% mindshare. Additionally, 95% of Aqua Security users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 100% of Palo Alto Networks users who would recommend it.

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Oct 9, 2024

Aqua Cloud Security Platform and Bridgecrew are prominent cloud security solutions competing in the security market, each with unique strengths. Bridgecrew appears to have the upper hand, showcasing stronger feature offerings and higher user satisfaction despite Aqua's advantages in pricing and support.

Features: Aqua Cloud Security Platform provides sophisticated threat detection, compliance support, and user-friendly interfaces, making it a powerful tool for security teams looking for reliable compliance solutions. Bridgecrew stands out with its infrastructure as code (IaC) security, extensive integration options, and robust automation capabilities, essential for teams focusing on IaC security management and seamless ecosystem integration.

Room for Improvement: Aqua Cloud Security Platform users suggest a need for better scalability, clearer documentation, and more frequent updates to address evolving security threats. Bridgecrew users express a desire for a more intuitive learning curve, enhanced language support, and streamlined user training materials to ease new users into its advanced feature set.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Aqua Cloud Security Platform is recognized for its straightforward deployment process and responsive customer service, simplifying the initial setup for users. Bridgecrew, while facing initial setup complexity, provides comprehensive guides and prompt support, catering to users needing detailed deployment assistance with complex security infrastructures.

Pricing and ROI: Aqua Cloud Security Platform is appreciated for being cost-effective and delivering consistent ROI, particularly suitable for budget-conscious implementations. Bridgecrew, despite its higher pricing, is justified by its advanced capabilities and potential for superior ROI due to its extensive feature set and strategic security insights.

To learn more, read our detailed Aqua Cloud Security Platform vs. Bridgecrew Report (Updated: August 2026).

Buyer's Guide

Aqua Cloud Security Platform vs. Bridgecrew

August 2026

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Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Categories and Ranking

Qualys TotalCloud

Mindshare comparison

As of August 2026, in the Cloud Workload Protection Platforms (CWPP) category, the mindshare of Qualys TotalCloud is 1.7%, up from 1.3% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Aqua Cloud Security Platform is 2.4%, down from 2.6% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Bridgecrew is 0.7%, up from 0.1% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Cloud Workload Protection Platforms (CWPP) Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
Qualys TotalCloud	1.7%
Aqua Cloud Security Platform	2.4%
Bridgecrew	0.7%
Other	95.2%

Cloud Workload Protection Platforms (CWPP)

Featured Reviews

Robert Orłowski

IT Security Expert at Alior Bank S.A.

Unified risk scoring has improved our cloud visibility and simplifies remediation priorities

Qualys TotalCloud provides unified vulnerability and threat assessment across both IAS and SaaS. This solution provides a single prioritized view of risk, which helps reduce the work I would have to do. We are no longer based on CVSS; we are based on Qualys risk scoring, which is based on CVSS plus internal findings made by Qualys, and then assigns its own score. The TruRisk insight feature has found a small number of assets with high vulnerability scores, though I am cautious since some information is classified. Qualys TotalCloud has positively impacted our bank's performance, and we have definitely seen benefits after implementing this solution.

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Samir Paul

Security Practitioner at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees

Secures cloud workloads from build to runtime and has needed simpler setup and alert tuning

Regarding how Aqua Cloud Security Platform can be improved, the first area is the complex initial setup. Deployment and configuration can be complex, especially in large environments that require skilled resources. For Kubernetes environments, initial onboarding and policy setup takes time. Compared to Wiz onboarding, it is not very straightforward, as I have also worked with Wiz. The UI is powerful but not very simple for new users, as navigation and dashboard can be overwhelming. Alert noise and tuning are required because Aqua generates a large number of initial alerts that need tuning to reduce false positives. Additionally, pricing can be high depending on workload scale, especially for large Kubernetes and multi-cloud environments. For improvements to Aqua Cloud Security Platform, I think better integration with SOAR and XDR platforms, more AI-driven prioritization, and providing simpler out-of-the-box policies would be beneficial.

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DanielSieradski

DevOps Engineer at a tech services company with 51-200 employees

Multi-cloud, good scanning, and offers extensive guides

The challenge is that they charge you per resource. We had an issue where Google Cloud was generating secrets for our application configurations by the hundreds, which we would be charged by Bridgecloud. Our price would have surged to an insane amount due to the automatically generated secrets that we don't even use for anything, which isn't part of our security concern. What we would like to know is if there is a way that we could exclude those from our resources so that we're not billed for that. We don't monitor that. They ignored me for a month through four emails asking about that. They were just totally unresponsive. Then after a month, I said, "I guess you don't want our business." And they responded, "Oh, we're sorry to hear that." I'd say "You're sorry to hear that? Why didn't you respond to any of my emails?" If you're trying to pay them less money, then they want to get rid of you. They don't want to talk to you. That's what it came across as. It's not like we weren't looking at spending thousands of dollars a month with them. We just weren't looking at spending $8,000 versus $2,000. That was a bit frustrating. Generally, I do like their product. It's a useful product. It's good. We wanted to use it. However, since they blew us off, it left a bad taste in our mouths. Their sales team needs a little bit of a jostle to get themselves together. We'd like to see better monitoring and the ability to deny certain resources from being scanned.

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Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"Vulnerability and threat detection and assessment of the criticality of the vulnerabilities exposed are most valuable."

"Qualys TotalCloud has significantly reduced our workload in terms of managing risks, helping us to be more efficient and save substantial resources."

"I would recommend Qualys TotalCloud to other users because it is cost-efficient and has a good return on investment."

"One of the most valuable features of Qualys TotalCloud is FlexScan, which is specifically for internet-facing VMs. We found this feature to be very useful. It was a key differentiator for us."

"Qualys TotalCloud's most valuable feature is its agent versatility."

"I would rate Qualys TotalCloud ten out of ten."

"Qualys TotalCloud has helped us view our risk structure, vulnerabilities, and security posture."

"Qualys TotalCloud's most valuable feature is its ability to link clusters of assets, providing a clear model of deployments, vulnerabilities, and statuses."

More Qualys TotalCloud pros

"The container scanning is very helpful."

"Previously, we were using multiple tools for scanning: container image scanning, Kubernetes security, runtime security, CSPM and on the IAC side, then we found one single solution, which is Aqua Cloud Security Platform, so it really added value for our organization."

"From what I understand, the initial setup is simple."

"The most valuable feature is the on-demand patching, as there are times when vulnerabilities don't have available fixes, and Aqua Security allows it to pass the vulnerability in real-time while the fix is being developed."

"We previously used Alcide; Aqua gives us more features and is more solid in terms of security, and Aqua is more of a market share leader with more of a technology advantage."

"The most valuable feature is the security."

"We find the Docker and Kubernetes support for container security most valuable."

"Customers find it invaluable to have the ability to check for vulnerabilities in an image before deployment, similar to a sandbox environment."

More Aqua Cloud Security Platform pros

"In cases where they have automatic remediations, you can click a button and it'll just fix the configuration for you."

"New users don't have too many problems with the product. They have a lot of training documentation around it."

"The software itself is good software and does great things."

"With any Palo Alto product that they put out, they typically have a very extensive amount of documentation behind it, and their technical account management team is almost unrivaled."

Cons

"TotalCloud could improve the classification of vulnerabilities. Specifically, it could enhance the categorization of what aspects fall under patches resolved by OS or software updates and what pertains to configuration adjustments."

"Qualys TotalCloud needs to enhance its scanning capabilities in the IP domain, as it currently lacks the functionality to resolve IPs to their corresponding domain names."

"I sometimes have difficulty detecting or uninstalling certain versions of applications, which I have to do manually."

"I would like the ability to disable certain default built-in policies as they can be misleading when creating dashboards. That is the top one."

"Although TotalCloud is a helpful tool, some of its advanced features are still under development."

"The vulnerability part is good, but the policy compliance module needs improvement because it involves a lot of manual work. Specifically, the remediation part of the controls requires enhancements."

"The response part of the Cloud Detection and Response (CDR) module can be improved."

"The main area needing improvement is integration. Although the team is strengthening TotalCloud, integration can be enhanced with SIEM, SOAR, ITSM, and other sources."

More Qualys TotalCloud cons

"I would like Aqua Security to look into is the development of a web security portal."

"When I used it on the client that I had a few years ago, we ran into some issues where it would not load properly."

"It's a bit hard to use the user roles. That was a bit confusing."

"The integrations on CICD could be improved. If Aqua had more plugins or container images to integrate and automate more easily on CICD, it would be better."

"We would like to see an improvement in the overview visibility that this solution offers."

"Aqua Security could provide more open documentation so that their learning resources can be more easily accessed and searched through online. Right now, a lot of the documentation is closed and not available to the public."

"Aqua Security lacks a lot in reporting."

"Aqua is a bit expensive so you have to really justify going for it or not."

More Aqua Cloud Security Platform cons

"We'd like to see better monitoring and the ability to deny certain resources from being scanned."

"Before the Palo Alto acquisition, BridgeCrew had a reputation of them not being the best, however, since having that additional support from Palo Alto, I haven't heard of any issues."

"However, since they blew us off, it left a bad taste in our mouths."

"The biggest issue that I see companies run into is that they immediately think that, "Oh, this solution will be right, simply due to the name." But that's the same issue Splunk runs into. People will immediately jump to Splunk being the best SIEM tool, just because they're the largest. When in reality, QRadar, LogRhythm, and all these other ones are performing similar functions and would actually fit better in some people's environments. Therefore, it's important a company does its homework and does not assume one size fits all."

Pricing and Cost Advice

"TotalCloud's price is about right where I would expect it to be."

"The pricing is comparable. It is built into our other product, so I cannot piecemeal it. It is a part of our subscription."

"Qualys TotalCloud offers competitive pricing given its comprehensive suite of features, including integration, assessment, remediation, and detection capabilities, all within a single platform."

"Qualys TotalCloud is cost-efficient and was selected for its value compared to other products."

"Qualys TotalCloud is expensive."

"Its price seems higher compared to other tools, but it is worth it. If they could adjust the pricing and make it comparable with other tools, that would be great."

"The cost is high, but it meets our organizational needs."

"The pricing for TotalCloud is attractive and competitive in the market. Given the features, especially the dashboard, I have no concerns regarding pricing."

More Qualys TotalCloud pricing and cost advice

"Aqua Security is not cheap, and it's not very expensive, such as Splunk, they are in the middle."

"It comes at a reasonable cost."

"Dealing with licensing costs isn't my responsibility, but I know that the licenses don't depend on the number of users, but instead are priced according to your workload."

"They were reasonable with their pricing. They were pretty down-to-earth about the way they pitched their product and the way they tried to close the deal. They were one of the rare companies that approached the whole valuation in a way that made sense for our company, for our needs, and for their own requirements as well... They will accommodate your needs if they are able to understand them and they're stated clearly."

"The pricing of this solution could be improved."

Information not available

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Manufacturing Company

13%

Comms Service Provider

11%

Outsourcing Company

11%

Financial Services Firm

10%

Financial Services Firm

19%

Manufacturing Company

Government

Computer Software Company

Performing Arts

24%

Financial Services Firm

Manufacturing Company

Construction Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	12
Midsize Enterprise	5
Large Enterprise	31

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	8
Midsize Enterprise	5
Large Enterprise	15

No data available

Questions from the Community

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Qualys TotalCloud?

The price is very expensive, actually.

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What needs improvement with Qualys TotalCloud?

To be totally honest, I do not have any best features because I have had a bad experience using this tool, especially...

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What is your primary use case for Qualys TotalCloud?

My main use case for Qualys TotalCloud is vulnerability management and exposure management. I use this tool to evalua...

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What do you think of Aqua Security vs Prisma Cloud?

Aqua Security is easy to use and very manageable. Its main focus is on Kubernetes and Docker. Security is a very valu...

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What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Aqua Security?

Compared to other vendors, Aqua Cloud Security Platform's pricing is good or lesser. The pricing part is acceptable, ...

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What needs improvement with Aqua Security?

I think Aqua Cloud Security Platform has a good, strong platform, but there are still other areas. For example, if we...

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Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Qualys TotalCloud

August 2026

Download Qualys TotalCloud product report

Buyer's Guide

Aqua Cloud Security Platform

August 2026

Download Aqua Cloud Security Platform product report

Buyer's Guide

Cloud Workload Protection Platforms (CWPP)

August 2026

Download Bridgecrew product report

Also Known As

Qualys TotalCloud with FlexScan

Aqua Security Platform, CloudSploit, Argon

No data available

Overview

Qualys TotalCloud enhances security posture across cloud environments with continuous monitoring, vulnerability management, and risk visualization, ensuring efficient threat assessment and automated remediation for improved cyber risk reduction.

Qualys TotalCloud offers a robust suite of security tools essential for organizations managing multi-cloud infrastructures. By integrating cloud accounts and automating workflows, it supports AWS, Azure, and GCP, offering comprehensive vulnerability management and zero-day detection. The platform's user-friendly design, combined with its extensive risk management and unified threat assessment capabilities, enables organizations to prioritize and remediate vulnerabilities effectively. TruRisk Insights provides clear insights on cyber risks, while the automation options streamline patch management and scanning processes. API integration across IaaS and SaaS environments further enhances resource allocation efficiency and saves time, addressing misconfigurations across cloud environments.

What are the most important features of Qualys TotalCloud?

Accurate Vulnerability Reports: Delivers precise and actionable insights for risk mitigation.
Zero-Day Detection: Identifies and addresses zero-day vulnerabilities proactively.
Unified Threat Assessment: Offers comprehensive evaluation of threats across the environment.
Extensive Risk Management: Manages risks effectively with advanced insights and prioritization.
Continuous Monitoring: Provides non-stop surveillance for vulnerabilities and threats.
Cloud-Native Automation: Streamlines processes and reduces manual efforts using automation.
FlexScan for Internet-Facing VMs: Scans external VMs efficiently to detect vulnerabilities.
Dashboard Risk Visualization: Clear visualization helps prioritize vulnerabilities.

What benefits and ROI should users look for?

Improved Security Posture: Enhances threat detection and response across clouds.
Time Savings: Automation reduces time spent on manual vulnerability management.
Resource Efficiency: Better allocation of resources through streamlined workflows.
Enhanced Risk Prioritization: Focus on critical vulnerabilities for effective mitigation.
Integrated Cloud Accounts: Facilitates seamless cloud management and security.

Qualys TotalCloud is deployed in sectors needing rigorous vulnerability management, such as finance and healthcare. Companies utilize it to secure multi-cloud environments like AWS, Azure, and GCP, focus on compliance, and integrate security into CI/CD pipelines to detect and remedy threats pre-deployment.

Qualys

Aqua Cloud Security Platform supports container environments with strong features such as Docker and Kubernetes integration, efficient vulnerability management, and seamless runtime protection, making it a key choice for cloud and container security.

Aqua Cloud Security Platform focuses on comprehensive container and cloud security enhancements. It offers robust tools for Docker and Kubernetes, efficient vulnerability management, and on-demand patching. The platform is praised for its Runtime Protection, Drift Prevention, and robust documentation, promoting seamless integration with existing platforms. Image scanning, Digital Threat Analysis, and sandboxing services accentuate security measures while integration with Docker Hub ensures ease of use. Scalable runtime policies, image assurance, and dynamic threat analysis simplify security tasks. Challenges remain in developing web security portals and greater standard server integration. Enhancing reporting, simplifying training, and improving log forwarding are key goals. Resource consumption, clearer roles, automation, and code analysis are vital future considerations.

What are the most important features of Aqua Cloud Security Platform?

Docker and Kubernetes Support: Ensures container security and streamlined operations.
Vulnerability Management: Efficient scanning and on-demand patching.
Strong Runtime Protection: Implements Drift Prevention and scalable policies.
Seamless Integration: Works with existing platforms for optimal performance.
Image Assurance and Threat Analysis: Provides thorough security checks and dynamic analysis.

What benefits or ROI can users expect?

Simplified Container Security: Streamlines container and cloud tasks for enhanced protection.
Enhanced Image Assessment: Detects configurations and risks efficiently.
Greater Data Protection: Ensures application visibility and security in deployments.
Flexible Licensing Models: Offers potential for reconsideration and optimization.

Aqua Cloud Security Platform is leveraged in industries focusing on container security, vulnerability scanning, and securing Kubernetes configurations within CI/CD pipelines. It is employed for image assessments and network security, demonstrating its efficacy in cloud applications and workload protection. Efficiently identifying misconfigurations and risks in cloud environments, it provides scanning for public clouds and docker environments, emphasizing data protection and application visibility tailored to customer-specific deployments.

Aqua Security

Bridgecrew enhances cloud security by automating infrastructure monitoring and policy enforcement. It's designed to integrate with development workflows, providing developers with security feedback.

Bridgecrew is an infrastructure-as-code solution focused on cloud-native security. It offers automated policy checks for infrastructures managed through platforms like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud. Users benefit from its seamless integration into CI/CD pipelines, allowing for early identification of potential security misconfigurations. It also supports scalable compliance management, enabling companies to meet industry standards efficiently.

What are Bridgecrew's most important features?

Automatic Policy Enforcement: Streamlines compliance by implementing predefined policies.
Integration with CI/CD: Embeds security into the development lifecycle.
Cloud Infrastructure Mapping: Provides visibility into cloud environments.
Policy as Code: Customizable checks tailored to organizational policies.

What benefits or ROI should users look for in reviews?

Scalability: Adapts to growing infrastructure needs.
Operational Efficiency: Reduces manual security effort.
Cost Savings: Cuts down on security breaches and compliance violations.
Time to Remediation: Accelerates fixing vulnerabilities.

Bridgecrew is frequently implemented in tech and financial sectors where cloud security is a priority. Its adaptability allows for easy integration with existing tools, providing continuous monitoring and compliance, making it suitable for fast-paced industries.

Palo Alto Networks

Sample Customers

Information Not Available

HPE Salesforce Telstra Ellie Mae Cathay Pacific HomeAway

Rapyd, BetterHelp, Brex, People.ai, Globality

Buyer's Guide

Aqua Cloud Security Platform vs. Bridgecrew

August 2026

Free Report: Aqua Cloud Security Platform vs. Bridgecrew

Find out what your peers are saying about Aqua Cloud Security Platform vs. Bridgecrew and other solutions. Updated: August 2026.

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