OnScanner vs Qualys Web Application Scanning (WAS)
Qualys Web Application Scanning is part of the broader Qualys platform, built for organizations that need governed, portfolio-wide application scanning integrated with the rest of the Qualys stack. OnScanner is the self-serve counterpart: point it at a target you own, get a live consolidated report in one pass, automate it over a REST API or MCP server, and never sit through a procurement cycle to start.
Evaluating options? See OnScanner as a Qualys WAS alternative.
TL;DR
Choose OnScanner when you want enterprise-grade scanning you can start today: live, never-cached scans with safe exploit verification and zero-day heuristics, EPSS and CISA KEV prioritization, deep technology and end-of-life detection, and 40+ privacy and tracker checks with email, TLS and WAF posture. Turn on AI Findings and it writes the executive summary, ranks your Top Risks, chains findings into MITRE ATT&CK attack paths, drafts remediation, and generates SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, PCI-DSS and HIPAA compliance reports. Free tier and a hosted MCP server included.
Qualys Web Application Scanning (WAS) is a great choice when you are standardizing on a platform suite: governed scanning across large application portfolios, integration with the wider Qualys stack, and formal procurement and support processes.
Feature comparison
Verified against public product pages on 2026-07-02. Cells marked "Not listed" mean the capability is not described on the vendor's public docs as of that date, not that it is impossible.
| Capability | OnScanner | Qualys Web Application Scanning (WAS) |
|---|---|---|
| External (unauthenticated) scanning | YesThe anonymous attacker's view, no agents | YesCloud-based DAST with discovery scans ('information gathered checks only') and vulnerability scans (XSS, SQL injection checks) |
| Authenticated scanning | YesScan behind login with credentials | YesForm-based, server-based (Basic, Digest, NTLM), OAuth2 (all four grant types), and Selenium-script authentication via Qualys… |
| Privacy, tracker & consent scanning | Yes40+ categories incl. fingerprinting | PartialNo cookie/tracker/consent-behavior scanning listed, but WAS detects PII exposure and collection points: 'PII exposure and web… |
| CVE intelligence (EPSS & CISA KEV) | YesCVE/CPE matching with EPSS + KEV context | YesTruRisk scoring factors in CVSS/EPSS, CISA KEV, and EOLand 'CISA KEV (Known… |
| Active exploit verification | YesSafe, non-destructive, in-band probes | Not listed*Not listed on public docs as of 2026-07-02 |
| Patch-status & end-of-life detection | YesVendor/distro patch data + EOL flags | Partial'End of Life & End of Service for software, operating systems, or hardware' is an explicit TruRisk scoring factor at the… |
| Email security (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) | Yes | Not listed*Not listed on public WAS docs as of 2026-07-02c feature set on any page… |
| WAF detection | Yes | Not listed*Not listed on public docs as of 2026-07-02 |
| Continuous monitoring | YesScheduled scans + change detection | Yes'We recommend you schedule your scans to run automatically (daily, weekly, monthly)' |
| REST API | Yes | YesDedicated WAS API with a published user guide covering launching scans, retrieving scan status/results, and downloading… |
| MCP server for AI agents | YesHosted: mcp.onscanner.com | NoNo first-party MCP server listed on Qualys public pages as of 2026-07-02 |
| AI analysis, remediation & compliance reports | YesOpt-in AI Findings + AI Compliance (SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, PCI-DSS, HIPAA) | Not listed* |
| Transparent self-serve pricing | YesFree tier; Professional $60/mo | NoLive vendor pricing page lists no dollar amounts |
Why teams pick OnScanner
- Enterprise-grade coverage without the procurement cycle: fully automated specialist engines run in parallel on every scan, self-serve from a free tier.
- Every scan is live and never cached, with safe active exploitation probes that verify what is actually exploitable and zero-day heuristics that flag unknown vulnerabilities before a CVE exists.
- Deep technology detection with patch-status and end-of-life flags, so you know exactly what is running and what is out of support.
- Exploit-aware prioritization: CVE and CPE matching enriched with EPSS scores and the CISA KEV catalog, so you fix what attackers actually use.
- Opt-in AI Findings: an executive summary, ranked Top Risks, and clear per-finding explanations with remediation your developers can act on.
- Vulnerability chaining: AI Findings links related results into real attack paths mapped to the MITRE ATT&CK kill chain.
- AI Compliance reports on demand: SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, PCI-DSS and HIPAA assessments generated from your scan results.
- 40+ privacy, tracker, fingerprinting and consent checks plus email (SPF, DKIM, DMARC), TLS and WAF posture in the same pass.
- Continuous monitoring with scheduled scans and 24/7 change detection, plus a REST API and hosted MCP server on every plan, free tier included.
When Qualys Web Application Scanning (WAS) fits
- You need authenticated scanning for complex login flows: form, Basic/Digest/NTLM, OAuth2, and Selenium-scripted logins including SSO and TOTP.
- You want web app findings unified with the wider Qualys platform: TruRisk prioritization blends CVSS, EPSS, CISA KEV, asset criticality and business context.
- You need add-on modules such as web malware detection, PII exposure detection, and API security test signatures.
The difference in one line: OnScanner delivers a live consolidated report in minutes, self-serve from a free tier, with privacy checks and opt-in AI compliance reports and no procurement cycle.
Pricing
OnScanner is self-serve with a free Starter tier and Professional at $60 per month. Qualys Web Application Scanning (WAS): custom (Quote-based subscription priced by Cloud Platform apps selected, number of IPs, web applications, and user licenses; no self-serve checkout Verified 2026-07-02.)
Frequently asked questions
Is OnScanner an enterprise DAST replacement?
For large regulated portfolios standardized on an enterprise platform, a dedicated DAST program has its place. OnScanner fits teams that need the outside-in picture now, broader per-pass coverage including privacy and email posture, and self-serve pricing without procurement.
Why does pricing transparency matter here?
Enterprise scanning platforms are typically quote-based, which makes comparison and budgeting slow. OnScanner publishes its prices: a free Starter tier and Professional at $60 per month, so you can evaluate with a real scan instead of a sales cycle.
Can AI agents use OnScanner in an enterprise workflow?
Yes. The hosted MCP server lets Claude, Cursor and other MCP-compatible agents create targets, run scans and fetch structured findings, and the REST API drops into CI pipelines. Authorization rules still apply: you may only scan targets you own or are authorized to test.
Sources
Every Qualys Web Application Scanning (WAS) fact above was checked against these public pages on 2026-07-02. If something has changed since, tell us at support@onscanner.com and we will correct it.
- Qualys WAS pricing
- Qualys WAS product page
- Qualys TotalAppSec
- Qualys WAS analyst story
- WAS authentication basics docs (Qualys)
- WAS scanning basics docs (Qualys)
- TruRisk in WAS post (Qualys blog)
- AI-powered API security in WAS post (Qualys blog)
- MCP servers and shadow AI post (Qualys blog)
- Community Qualys MCP server (GitHub)
- Qualys WAS API user guide (PDF)
See what OnScanner finds on your site
Live, never-cached security and privacy scanning: OWASP Top 10, CVE intelligence with EPSS and KEV, 40+ privacy checks, REST API and MCP server. Free Starter tier, no sales call.