Qualys vs Tenable: Which Cybersecurity Is Better in 2026?
Compare pricing, features, integrations, verified reviews, AI capabilities, security, and customer satisfaction — side by side, with no marketing spin.
The Short Answer
Qualys vs Tenable, in 15 seconds
Choose Qualys if…
- You have strict security & compliance needs
Choose Tenable if…
- You want the lower entry price
- You need a genuinely free plan
Head-to-Head Scorecard
How Qualys and Tenable score
Tenable leads on 3 of 9 measured dimensions.
- Even
Customer Rating
Average score from verified user reviews
QualysNo reviewsTenableNo reviews - Even
Review Volume
Number of verified reviews — a proxy for adoption
Qualys0Tenable0 - Tenable
Entry Pricing
Lowest published starting price (free plan = lowest)
QualysCustomTenable$0/mo - Tenable
Free Access
Availability of a free plan and/or free trial
QualysFree trialTenableFree plan + trial - Even
Integrations
Number of listed third-party integrations
Qualys8Tenable8 - Even
Features
Number of listed product capabilities
Qualys8Tenable8 - Even
AI Features
Capabilities mentioning AI, automation or ML
Qualys—Tenable— - Qualys
Security & Compliance
Number of listed compliance certifications
Qualys5Tenable4 - Tenable
Platforms & Deployment
Supported platforms and deployment options
Qualys6Tenable7
Feature Comparison
Qualys vs Tenable feature breakdown
Search or filter the full feature matrix — core features, AI, integrations, APIs, security and compliance.
Qualys
TenablePricing Comparison
Qualys vs Tenable pricing
Entry pricing, plan tiers and the cost factors that shape total cost of ownership.
Qualys
Custom to start- Custom quote
- Asset discovery
- Core vulnerability management
- For small teams
- Custom quote
- Threat prioritization
- Compliance
- Integrations
- Custom pricing
- Full TruRisk platform
- Cloud security
- Web app scanning
Tenable
$0/mo to start- Free
- Up to 16 IP addresses
- Core vulnerability scanning
- For learning and small use
- Unlimited targets
- One scanner
- Full scanning
- For practitioners
- Cloud platform
- Up to 250 assets
- Risk prioritization
- Continuous scanning
- Exposure management
- Custom quote
- Enterprise scale
- Full attack surface
Total cost of ownership factors
Beyond list price, factor in implementation, training, add-ons and per-seat scaling when estimating total cost of ownership.
Pros & Cons
Qualys vs Tenable: strengths and trade-offs
Qualys
Pros
- Free trial offered
- Compliance: SOC 2, GDPR, ISO 27001
- Public API available
Cons
- No free plan
- Pricing is quote-based (less transparent)
Tenable
Pros
- Free plan available
- Free trial offered
- Compliance: SOC 2, GDPR, ISO 27001
- Public API available
Cons
Buyer Fit
Who should use Qualys vs Tenable?
Startups
Tenable
Tenable keeps early-stage costs lowest with its entry tier.
Small businesses
Tenable
Tenable offers the most accessible pricing for lean teams.
Agencies
Either
Either connects to more tools for multi-client workflows.
Enterprises
Qualys
Qualys leads on compliance and breadth for complex needs.
Ecommerce
Either
Either integrates with more of the commerce stack.
SaaS companies
Either
Either is the more developer- and automation-friendly choice.
Integration overlap
Shared integrations (8)
Only in Qualys (0)
Only in Tenable (0)
Keep Exploring
Other alternatives worth considering
Similar cybersecurity products buyers compare alongside Qualys and Tenable.
Ask SIA which solution fits your business
SIA, Saaskart's AI buying assistant, weighs Qualys and Tenable against your team size, budget, integrations and compliance needs — then recommends the right fit and the questions to ask each vendor.
Get a personalised recommendationQualys vs Tenable — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Qualys and Tenable?
Qualys and Tenable are both Cybersecurity solutions. Qualys is rated 0.0/5 by 0 users, while Tenable is rated 0.0/5 by 0 users. The main differences lie in pricing, features, and target audience.
Which is better, Qualys or Tenable?
Based on user ratings, Qualys scores higher at 0.0/5. The best choice depends on your team size, budget, and specific requirements.
Which is cheaper, Qualys or Tenable?
Tenable is the more affordable option, starting at $0/month.
Does Qualys or Tenable have a free plan?
Tenable offers a free plan. Qualys does not have a free tier but does offer a free trial.
Can I switch from Qualys to Tenable?
Switching between Qualys and Tenable is possible. Both support data export. Check integration compatibility and plan for data migration to minimise disruption to your team.
Who should use Qualys vs Tenable?
Qualys is best suited for teams that prioritise enterprise features. Tenable works well for teams looking to start free and scale.
Our Verdict
The bottom line on Qualys vs Tenable
Best Overall
Either
It's a tie balances user satisfaction and proven adoption.
Best for Startups
Tenable
Tenable has the friendliest entry point for new teams.
Best for Enterprise
Qualys
Qualys leads on compliance and feature breadth.
Best Value
Tenable
Tenable delivers the lowest cost to get started.
Best AI Features
Either
Comparable AI capabilities on both sides.
Highest Rated
Either
Both earn equal user ratings.