GitHub Advanced Security vs Qualys Web Application Scanning comparison

GitHub Advanced Security vs. Qualys Web Application Scanning

Download the complete report

Helped 900,644 peers since 2012

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

GitHub Advanced Security

Ranking in Application Security Tools

11th

Average Rating

8.6

Reviews Sentiment

6.5

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Qualys Web Application Scan...

Ranking in Application Security Tools

15th

Average Rating

7.6

Reviews Sentiment

6.3

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Static Application Security Testing (SAST) (11th)

Mindshare comparison

As of June 2026, in the Application Security Tools category, the mindshare of GitHub Advanced Security is 2.6%, down from 8.6% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Qualys Web Application Scanning is 1.7%, down from 2.1% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Application Security Tools Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
GitHub Advanced Security	2.6%
Qualys Web Application Scanning	1.7%
Other	95.7%

Application Security Tools

Featured Reviews

Devendiran Kandan

DevOps Engineer at a tech vendor with 1,001-5,000 employees

Security scanning has protected our pipelines but currently needs clearer dashboards and controls

We used additional third-party solutions, but we replaced them with GitHub Advanced Security, even though I do not have a very good opinion about GitHub Advanced Security. Even though it is an inline product, I'm not seeing user-friendly things in GitHub Advanced Security. Dependent bots and the secret detection are good compared to others. However, code scanning is not finding very good results based on pipeline where it will scan and do code scanning. While build, before building and deploying the code, we want to block or do an advanced model, but it is not supporting. During deployment, code scanning is not good. It is a little complicated. It is not a straightforward method we can complete. We need expertise to get the full benefit, and troubleshooting sometimes requires going through that. The security overview dashboard is not really clear. It's not showing centralized information; each repo is showing, but if you compare it with competitors, it is not that great. Mainly in the centralized dashboard, enterprise level needs to improve. A centralized way where we can get that overall view is needed, and we want that code scanning and blocking deployments based on security. There are AI improvements, but however, it is not so easy to configure. It is multiple windows we need to go through and make changes or configure that. A few things we need to enable going into settings, and a few things we can find out in security. One product where security means the security dashboard should cover everything, but it is going here and there in many places.

Read full review

AnkitSharma13

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

Web scanning needs improvement but offers good vulnerability detection

The downside of Qualys Web Application Scanning is that it cannot crawl automatically. If I provide an IP address and a login form, it does basic testing, but it doesn't go deep as IBM AppScan does. If Qualys Web Application Scanning could improve its crawling capability, it would be more user-friendly. Qualys Web Application Scanning does IP-level testing, requiring direct input of credentials, and can only scan a few pages to provide known generic vulnerabilities, which isn't as beneficial from my point of view. The Vulnerability Management also relies heavily on version numbers and will flag vulnerabilities based on the component version, but it doesn't check if a real fix exists, leading to flags on components that actually have workarounds available.

Read full review

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"The most valuable is the developer experience and the extensibility of the overall ecosystem."

"GitHub Advanced Security is a very developer-friendly solution that is integrated within my development environment."

"I have not experienced any performance or stability issues with GitHub Advanced Security."

"GitHub Advanced Security's secret scanning is good."

"GitHub Advanced Security is ten out of ten scalable."

"It is a stable solution...It is a scalable solution as it can handle new applications along with the analysis part."

"The initial setup was straightforward and completed in a matter of minutes."

"The best features of GitHub Advanced Security are its flexibility and the multiple options it has compared to other tools."

More GitHub Advanced Security pros

"Qualys Web Application Scanning is robust and mature from industry standards."

"The Qualys Web Application Scanning solution offers a single comprehensive console and consolidated reporting, covering all aspects from on-prem to cloud and compliance, etcetera."

"I would recommend this tool."

"Qualys Web Application Scanning has multiple features like threat protection and container security scanning in one box."

"We have experienced quick customer support. They have a complete list of our previous issues along with our history, which makes it faster for them to solve issues."

"It is easy to use."

"The interface is user-friendly and easy to understand."

"We can do scanning and submit reports straight to the customers when there are new vulnerabilities, then tell them whether they are affected or not."

More Qualys Web Application Scanning pros

Cons

"The report limitations are the main issue."

"Maybe make it compatible with more programming languages. Have a customized ruleset where the end-user can create their own rules for scanning."

"There could be a centralized dashboard to view reports of all the projects on one platform."

"A more refined approach, categorizing and emphasizing specific vulnerabilities, would be beneficial."

"The customizations are a little bit difficult."

"The deployment part of the product is an area of concern that needs to be made easier from an improvement perspective."

"There could be DST features included in the product."

"For GitHub Advanced Security, I would like to see more support for various programming languages."

More GitHub Advanced Security cons

"Deployment can be complicated."

"The software’s pricing could be improved."

"In terms of the Policy Compliance model which they currently have, not all the platforms are being covered. If they could improve on the Policy Compliance model, since there are policies which are benchmarked against it, this will be helpful for us."

"Please add manual penetration testing features. Also I didn't like the license terms and the features were limited compared to other tools used for web applications."

"I have experience with adaptive scanning for single-page applications, which was not very effective."

"We are researching open source software because Qualys needs to improve their reports and the documentation for the end-users in resolving scanned issues."

"The product's pricing could be better."

"We receive false positives sometimes when using a solution that could be improved. However, the technical team provides us with the exact explanation why it was giving us that kind of error."

More Qualys Web Application Scanning cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The solution is expensive."

"The current licensing model, which relies on active commitments, poses challenges, particularly in predicting and managing growth."

"Qualys WAS' pricing is competitive."

"We are on an annual license for the solution and the pricing could be more affordable."

"Qualys has an IT-based licensing based on a yearly license, which is a good way of handling it. However, in some cases, when we do the PCI scanning, the host will not like the scanning and we lose the IT license. So, this could be improved."

"It is an expensive platform."

"The product is expensive, at least initially, in comparison to other products in this category."

"The product pricing is fair and reasonably priced."

"Licensing was based on the number of assets that you want to scan on your network. You can also do licensing on subscription. On subscription, it is easier and more flexible. You tell Qualys that you want to move from the 1000 to 2000 band or the 3000 or 5000 band, then they will give you the quotation for it. Once you pay for it, applying the licensing is quite easy and effective."

"I rate the software’s pricing a six out of ten."

More Qualys Web Application Scanning pricing and cost advice

See which vendors are best for you

Use our free recommendation engine to learn which Application Security Tools solutions are best for your needs.

See recommendations

900,644 professionals have used our research since 2012.

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Financial Services Firm

15%

Computer Software Company

10%

Manufacturing Company

Government

Financial Services Firm

14%

Manufacturing Company

12%

Computer Software Company

Construction Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	1
Midsize Enterprise	4
Large Enterprise	7

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	8
Midsize Enterprise	6
Large Enterprise	27

Questions from the Community

What needs improvement with GitHub Advanced Security?

What is your primary use case for GitHub Advanced Security?

I'm working with software development nowadays. As a process, we are using the dependent bot alerts and the code scanning for Java, and some of the code scanning is happening. Security secrets in c...

What advice do you have for others considering GitHub Advanced Security?

Dependent bots and the secret detection are good compared to others. However, code scanning is not finding very good results based on pipeline where it will scan and do code scanning. While build, ...

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Qualys Web Application Scanning?

Regarding pricing, I think for personal use, it is costly, but if organizations are ready to pay, then it is fine as they are using it.

What needs improvement with Qualys Web Application Scanning?

What is your primary use case for Qualys Web Application Scanning?

I use Qualys Web Application Scanning, and we are using Vulnerability Management. By Vulnerability Management, I mean not TotalCloud; they have some on-premises solutions also. Patch Management and...

SonarQube vs GitHub Advanced Security

Comparisons

Compared 23% of the time

Snyk vs GitHub Advanced Security

Compared 12% of the time

Veracode vs GitHub Advanced Security

Compared 9% of the time

PortSwigger Burp Suite Professional vs GitHub Advanced Security

Compared 8% of the time

HCL AppScan vs GitHub Advanced Security

Compared 2% of the time

More GitHub Advanced Security Competitors

Checkmarx SAST vs Qualys Web Application Scanning

Compared 7% of the time

SonarQube vs Qualys Web Application Scanning

Compared 7% of the time

OWASP Zap vs Qualys Web Application Scanning

Compared 7% of the time

Veracode vs Qualys Web Application Scanning

Compared 6% of the time

PortSwigger Burp Suite Professional vs Qualys Web Application Scanning

Compared 6% of the time

More Qualys Web Application Scanning Competitors

Product Reports

GitHub Advanced Security

Download GitHub Advanced Security product report

Qualys Web Application Scanning

Download Qualys Web Application Scanning product report

Also Known As

No data available

Qualys WAS

Overview

GitHub Advanced Security secures data by scanning for vulnerabilities in dependencies, secret scanning, and protecting sensitive information. It integrates seamlessly, reducing reliance on multiple tools and optimizing vulnerability detection.

GitHub Advanced Security is designed to enhance security awareness by offering comprehensive tools for secret scanning, code analysis, and SCSS dependency checks. AI-driven features deliver accurate security insights while minimizing false positives. It provides valuable integration with Azure DevOps, maintaining control within dashboards and enabling external systems' support through APIs. With CodeQL, users can perform custom queries across projects. Propelled by Microsoft, the platform enhances operational frameworks with essential security features, although improvements are needed in dashboard consolidation, reporting, and integration mechanisms. Users seek better customizability, language support, and training resources to ensure smoother implementation.

What are the key features of GitHub Advanced Security?

Security and Dependency Scanning: Identifies vulnerabilities in code and dependencies.
Secret Scanning: Detects sensitive information exposure.
Cost-effectiveness: Reduces the need for multiple security tools.
Developer Experience: Integrates seamlessly with development environments.
Extensibility: Custom queries via CodeQL and integration support.

What benefits and ROI can users expect?

Improved Security Posture: Enhanced visibility reduces risk.
Operational Efficiency: Streamlines processes with fewer tools.
Actionable Insights: AI-driven analysis provides clear guidance.
Enhanced Collaboration: Facilitates team integration through shared dashboards.

Industries implement GitHub Advanced Security to maintain robust security standards. It is favored by technology sectors seeking seamless integration with Azure DevOps and looking for customizable security tools tailored to project needs. Financial institutions value its accurate threat detection and compliance support, while enterprises focus on its comprehensive dependency scanning and code analysis capabilities to safeguard critical assets. The adaptability of GitHub Advanced Security across different operational environments illustrates its practical benefits.

GitHub

Qualys Web Application Scanning offers advanced vulnerability management, progressive scheduling, and seamless integration with DevOps environments. Its user-friendly design enables enterprises to enhance security with comprehensive scanning and detailed forensic insights.

Qualys Web Application Scanning addresses enterprise-level security challenges by providing robust solutions for vulnerability management, penetration testing, and compliance checks. While easing the navigation process, it supports risk mitigation with precise risk ratings, minimal false positives, and detailed reporting. However, it faces challenges with its complex interface, authenticated scanning, and automation features. Integrating smoothly with CI/CD pipelines, it is suitable for continuous and automated scanning, adapting to diverse company requirements.

What are the standout features of Qualys Web Application Scanning?

Progressive Scheduling: Enables efficient management of scanning activities, optimizing for time-sensitive scenarios.
Vulnerability Management: Offers robust identification and management of vulnerabilities across various applications.
Integration with DevOps: Seamlessly integrates with CI/CD pipelines, supporting rapid development cycles.
Risk Ratings: Provides precise risk assessments, crucial for prioritizing security efforts.
Engaging Dashboard: Offers an intuitive interface for navigating security tasks efficiently.

What benefits or ROI should users look for in Qualys Web Application Scanning reviews?

Scalability: Supports enterprise needs with a design adaptable to diverse security demands.
Risk Mitigation: Detailed alerts and forensic insights aid in reducing potential threats.
Comprehensive Reporting: Facilitates informed decision-making with clear, concise reports.
Penetration Testing: Enhances security assessments with ongoing evaluation capabilities.

Organizations across sectors like education, banking, and international data centers leverage Qualys Web Application Scanning for conducting penetration testing, scanning web applications, and managing vulnerabilities. It aids in audit security and compliance, identifying threats, and generating user-friendly reports, making it a valuable asset for maintaining strong security postures.

Qualys

Sample Customers

Information Not Available

BskyB, Cartagena, ClearPoint Learning Systems, Connect Group, du, Fortrex Technologies, HBOR, HDI, Highlights for Children, The Lithuanian State Enterprise Centre of Registers, City of Miami Beach, Microsoft, MidlandHR, MSCI Inc., Northern Arizona University, Ofgem, Olympus Europa, PhoneFactor, RTL Nederland, ThousandEyes, VGZ Organisatie B.V.

GitHub Advanced Security vs. Qualys Web Application Scanning