Qualys Web Application Scanning vs Tenable.io Web Application Scanning comparison

Qualys Web Application Scanning vs. Tenable.io Web Application Scanning

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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 Web Application Scan...

Ranking in Application Security Tools

20th

Average Rating

7.6

Reviews Sentiment

6.3

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Static Application Security Testing (SAST) (13th)

Tenable.io Web Application ...

Ranking in Application Security Tools

26th

Average Rating

7.8

Reviews Sentiment

5.8

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Mindshare comparison

As of September 2026, in the Application Security Tools category, the mindshare of Qualys Web Application Scanning is 1.7%, down from 2.0% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Tenable.io Web Application Scanning is 1.2%, down from 1.3% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Application Security Tools Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
Qualys Web Application Scanning	1.7%
Tenable.io Web Application Scanning	1.2%
Other	97.1%

Application Security Tools

Featured Reviews

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.

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Hatem Langar

Security Analyst at TOPNET

Web audits have identified vulnerabilities and now provide clear visibility into compliance gaps

We have experience with Tenable.io Web Application Scanning, and we use it as well; we have approximately ten licenses for web application scanning. We use it to find vulnerabilities, but Tenable.io Web Application Scanning does not include remediation; we remediate with other products. We use the…

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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

"I recommend Qualys Web Application Scanning as it is easy to set up scans and is affordable from a cost perspective."

"It's provided us with comprehensive, proactive, and automated vulnerability assessment."

"Technical support is very good whenever we send them a message."

"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."

"You can integrate your Burp Suite results and create an integrated report. Also, the way it shows the results - threats and exploit details - makes remediation very easy."

"The most valuable feature is that we are able to scan the services and put credentials like a user ID password, and we can verify the vulnerability level."

"It is a cloud-based solution, so it is easy to scale."

"It combines both web application vulnerability management and internal vulnerability management on one platform and dashboard. Usually, you have to purchase separate tools."

More Qualys Web Application Scanning pros

"The solution's instant reports feature is the most effective for detecting threats."

"I think Tenable.io Web Application Scanning is the best option on the market at the moment."

"Our primary use case for the solution is automated scanning; it doesn't require scripting knowledge or any of those suites or other tools, so it is fully automated, and we provide the credentials and URL and the tool does all scanning and will show the result per the requirement."

"We use the tool for our websites. We have a vulnerable subdomain. The tool helps to scan it for vulnerabilities."

"It is fully automated."

"The most valuable features of Tenable.io Web Application Scanning are the integration into specific use cases and scanning. All of the features of the solution are useful."

"Tenable.io Web Application Scanning provides a detailed report, identifying functions that are complex and need to be more maintainable and readable."

"The solution is stable."

More Tenable.io Web Application Scanning pros

Cons

"I would like it to be cheaper because it is a bit expensive compared to competitors like Tenable Nessus."

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

"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."

"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."

"Deployment can be complicated."

"The scanner reports a lot of false positives, which is something that needs to be improved."

"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."

More Qualys Web Application Scanning cons

"The reporting has a very limited customization capability."

"The technical support should be improved. Currently, some attacks are detected while others are not."

"The solution's dashboards could be improved and made more user-friendly."

"The reporting in Tenable.io Web Application Scanning is not as good as the reporting in Tenable SC."

"The cloud and the on-premises versions have their own controllers, and there is no way to centrally manage controllers."

"The market is standard for vulnerability scanning, however, the posture can be improved through Tenable's prioritization engine."

"They have a general dashboard for web application scanning, but the dashboards and reporting can be improved. They probably have some features in their roadmap."

"Tenable.io Web Application Scanning could improve by offering faster fuzzing."

More Tenable.io Web Application Scanning cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"Try the free trial of the product to understand the basic working mechanisms."

"There are different options available with respect to licensing."

"The product pricing is fair and reasonably priced."

"We normally purchase an annual license."

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

"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."

"The cost is $30,000 USD for one year to cover WAS (Web Application Security) and the VM (Virtual Machine) security in a company with 200 employees."

"It is best to be an institutional buyer and directly contact the sales team, as they can provide over-the-top discounts for bulk orders."

More Qualys Web Application Scanning pricing and cost advice

"I rate the product's pricing a four out of ten."

"The application is extremely affordable. There are no additional costs involved with licensing. We switched to Tenable.io Web Application Scanning from other solutions due to pricing."

"The price of the solution is reasonable compared to the competitors. The license cost is based on the number of users and the annual usage."

"It follows the same licensing scheme as Tenable.io and Tenable. sc."

"The pricing is okay."

"For Tenable.io Web Application Scanning, it comes to around 6,50,000 Indian rupees, plus taxes."

"Tenable.io Web Application Scanning is expensive for small businesses."

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914,262 professionals have used our research since 2012.

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Financial Services Firm

12%

Manufacturing Company

11%

Outsourcing Company

Comms Service Provider

Financial Services Firm

12%

Manufacturing Company

Construction Company

Outsourcing Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

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

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	7
Midsize Enterprise	5
Large Enterprise	7

Questions from the Community

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...

What needs improvement with Tenable.io Web Application Scanning?

If there were a solution, I would like to see automation and an integrated remediation solution for vulnerability or patch management.

What advice do you have for others considering Tenable.io Web Application Scanning?

I do not understand what API approach means; I do not understand this term. I think Tenable.io Web Application Scanning is the best option on the market at the moment. My review rating for this pro...

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Tenable.io Web Application Scanning?

I think the price is expensive. We do not have an idea of how much we have to pay approximately, but comparing to other products, Tenable.io Web Application Scanning is expensive.

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Product Reports

Qualys Web Application Scanning

Download Qualys Web Application Scanning product report

Application Security Tools

Download Tenable.io Web Application Scanning product report

Tenable.io Web Application Scanning report

Also Known As

Qualys WAS

No data available

Overview

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

Tenable.io Web Application Scanning delivers automated scanning and robust risk mitigation for diverse cloud environments, prioritizing security and compliance for modern organizations.

Tenable.io Web Application Scanning leverages scalable architecture for comprehensive vulnerability detection across applications and systems. It integrates with cloud services, providing an interface to analyze complex functions and enhance security. Detailed reports guide vulnerability management and ensure compliance with key standards.

What are the critical features of Tenable.io Web Application Scanning?

Priority Ratings: Streamlines risk assessment by ranking vulnerabilities based on severity.
Automated Scanning: Simplifies continuous security checks across environments.
Scalable Architecture: Ensures adaptability across expansive networks.
Cloud Integration: Supports various cloud platforms for consistent security.
Comprehensive Reporting: Offers detailed insights into vulnerabilities and risk mitigation measures.

What benefits or ROI should users expect?

Enhanced Security Posture: Strengthens defenses with thorough vulnerability analysis.
Compliance Assurance: Facilitates adherence to OWASP Top 10 and NISC standards.
Streamlined Management: Simplifies processes with a cloud-based approach.
Insightful Dashboards: Provides easy access to important security metrics.

Organizations across industries employ Tenable.io Web Application Scanning for routine vulnerability assessments, safeguarding container exposure, internal networks, and more. Dashboards and reports aid in informed decision-making, supporting comprehensive threat detection and compliance.

Tenable

Sample Customers

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.

IMDEX

Qualys Web Application Scanning vs. Tenable.io Web Application Scanning