Qualys Alternative
Panoptic Scans Versus Qualys
Enterprise Scanning
Without Enterprise Costs
Get the vulnerability scanning capabilities you need without six-figure contracts, complex deployments, or months of onboarding.
Comparison
Panoptic Scans vs Qualys
Qualys is an industry heavyweight in enterprise vulnerability management, offering a massive suite of security and compliance tools. But that scale comes with complexity, lengthy contracts, and pricing designed for large enterprises. Panoptic Scans delivers focused, practical vulnerability scanning with detailed attack narratives, transparent pricing from $25/month, and a platform you can deploy in minutes - not months.
Why Choose Panoptic Scans?
1. Context-Rich Attack Narratives
Panoptic Scans provides detailed attack narratives that explain how each vulnerability can be exploited, giving your team actionable intelligence to prioritize remediation effectively.
2. No Enterprise Contracts Required
Skip the annual commitments and six-figure quotes. Panoptic Scans starts at $25/month with transparent, self-serve pricing that scales with your needs - cancel anytime.
3. Instant Setup, No Training Needed
Qualys often requires weeks of onboarding and professional services. With Panoptic Scans, sign up and launch your first scan in minutes with an intuitive, modern interface that anyone can use.
4. Compliance-Ready Reports
Purpose-built reports aligned with SOC 2, HIPAA, and other compliance frameworks. Export as PDF, CSV, or HTML - ready for auditors, executives, and stakeholders without additional formatting.
5. 100% Cloud-Native, Zero Setup
No agents to install, no appliances to deploy, no infrastructure to maintain. Panoptic Scans handles everything in the cloud so you can focus on fixing vulnerabilities - not managing scanners.
6. Industry-Trusted Open-Source Scanners
Powered by the same open-source engines - OpenVAS, ZAP, Nmap, and Nuclei - orchestrated through an intelligent platform that delivers context and clarity alongside raw findings.
Features
Feature Comparison
See how Panoptic Scans stacks up against Qualys across the features that matter most.
| Feature | Panoptic Scans | Qualys |
|---|---|---|
| Detailed Attack Narratives |
Context-rich narratives explaining how each vulnerability can be exploited
|
Technical CVE descriptions without exploit narratives
|
| Network Vulnerability Scanning |
OpenVAS & Nuclei powered scanning (external & internal)
|
Proprietary scanner with extensive vulnerability database
|
| Web Application Scanning |
ZAP powered DAST scanning (unauthenticated & authenticated)
|
Qualys WAS with proprietary DAST engine
|
| Port Scanning |
Nmap powered port discovery
|
Built-in port scanning as part of VMDR
|
| Pricing Transparency |
Plans from $25/month, publicly listed
|
Custom quotes only, typically requires annual contracts
|
| Setup & Deployment |
Scan within minutes of signing up
|
Requires appliance deployment and professional onboarding
|
| User Interface |
Modern, streamlined and beginner-friendly
|
Feature-rich but steep learning curve
|
| Compliance Reports (SOC 2, HIPAA) |
Audit-ready PDF, CSV, and HTML exports
|
Extensive compliance modules (PCI DSS, HIPAA, SOC 2, etc.)
|
| Cloud-Native Platform |
Cloud-native with optional self-hosted internal scanning
|
Cloud platform with physical and virtual scanner appliances
|
| Minimum Commitment |
Monthly billing, no long-term contracts
|
Typically requires annual or multi-year contracts
|
| REST API |
Full REST API for automation
|
Comprehensive API across all modules
|
| Scheduled & Continuous Scanning |
Automated scheduling with notifications
|
Continuous monitoring and scheduled scans
|
Key Advantages
What Sets Panoptic Scans Apart
Attack Narratives
Go beyond raw scan output. Panoptic Scans explains how vulnerabilities can be chained and exploited, helping your team prioritize what actually matters.
Better Value
Enterprise-grade vulnerability scanning starting at $25/month. No sales calls, no annual commitments, no surprise invoices.
Compliance Ready
Generate audit-ready reports for SOC 2, HIPAA, and other frameworks. Structured, professional, and exportable in multiple formats.
Use Cases
Vulnerability Management for Every Team
External & Internal Vulnerability Scanning
Monitor your perimeter and internal infrastructure with continuous vulnerability assessments powered by OpenVAS, Nuclei, and Nmap. Scan external systems from the cloud, or internal networks via a self-hosted script.
Learn more →Web Application Security
DAST scanning with OWASP ZAP to identify XSS, SQL injection, and other web application vulnerabilities. Supports both unauthenticated and authenticated scans to test content behind login pages.
Learn more →SOC 2 Compliance Scanning
Meet your SOC 2 network vulnerability scanning requirements with automated, audit-ready reports covering both external and internal infrastructure.
Learn more →Attack Surface Monitoring
Keep track of your expanding attack surface with continuous monitoring of domains, IPs, and exposed services.
Learn more →MSP & MSSP Solutions
Manage vulnerability scanning across multiple clients with scalable, affordable plans designed for managed service providers.
Learn more →Vanta Integration
Seamlessly connect Panoptic Scans with Vanta to automate your compliance evidence collection and vulnerability management.
Learn more →Ready to Try Panoptic Scans?
Qualys is a powerful platform built for large enterprises. But if you need practical vulnerability scanning with attack narratives, transparent pricing, and zero deployment overhead, Panoptic Scans is the modern alternative. Start scanning in minutes with a free trial - no credit card required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Panoptic Scans a good alternative to Qualys?
Yes. Panoptic Scans delivers enterprise-grade vulnerability scanning using industry-trusted open-source tools (OpenVAS, ZAP, Nmap, Nuclei) with detailed attack narratives and transparent pricing from $25/month. It's ideal for organizations that need powerful scanning without the complexity and cost of a full Qualys deployment.
How does Panoptic Scans compare to Qualys VMDR?
While Qualys VMDR offers a broad suite of asset management and vulnerability detection capabilities, Panoptic Scans focuses on delivering actionable vulnerability scanning with context-rich attack narratives. If your primary need is external and internal vulnerability scanning with compliance reporting, Panoptic Scans provides this at a fraction of the cost.
How does pricing compare between Panoptic Scans and Qualys?
Panoptic Scans starts at $25/month with transparent, publicly listed pricing. Qualys requires custom quotes and typically involves annual contracts that can cost tens of thousands of dollars per year. Panoptic Scans offers month-to-month billing with no long-term commitment.
Can I use Panoptic Scans for SOC 2 compliance?
Absolutely. Panoptic Scans generates audit-ready vulnerability reports that satisfy SOC 2 network vulnerability scanning requirements for both external and internal infrastructure. Reports can be exported as PDF, CSV, or HTML and shared directly with auditors.
Do I need to deploy any hardware or appliances?
No. Unlike Qualys, which often requires physical or virtual scanner appliances, Panoptic Scans is 100% cloud-native. External scans run from the cloud with zero setup. For internal network scanning, a lightweight self-hosted script is available - no appliances needed.