Panoptic Scans Versus Qualys
Simplified Security
Without the Complexity
When evaluating enterprise-grade vulnerability management tools, Qualys is often a go-to platform - but it comes with enterprise-grade complexity and pricing. Panoptic Scans delivers the core value of vulnerability management with a modern, lightweight approach that's perfect for SaaS companies and security-focused teams who want rapid results without the red tape.
Why Choose Panoptic Scans?
1. Built for Speed and Simplicity
Panoptic Scans is designed for lean security teams. Start scanning within minutes - no agents, no complex onboarding, and no need to decipher how the feature 500 works.
2. AI-Generated Attack Narratives
Unlike traditional scanners that dump raw CVE data, Panoptic Scans translates findings into AI-generated attack narratives that demonstrate how attackers might exploit a vulnerability - empowering teams to prioritize smarter.
3. Transparent, Affordable Pricing
With plans starting at just $25/month, Panoptic Scans eliminates the bloated licensing and usage-based pricing structures of Qualys, making vulnerability management accessible for organizations of all sizes.
4. No Vendor Lock-in
Panoptic Scans uses open-source scanning engines (ZAP, OpenVAS, Nmap), ensuring transparency and avoiding black-box results or vendor lock-in.
5. Compliance-Aligned Reporting
Easily generate reports aligned with SOC 2, PCI DSS, and HIPAA frameworks - ideal for audits and proving due diligence to stakeholders and teams.
Features
Comparative Overview: Panoptic Scans Versus Qualys
| Feature | Panoptic Scans | Qualys VMDR |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of Use |
Simple setup, scan in minutes
|
Requires extensive configuration and onboarding
|
| AI Attack Narratives |
Yes, included in every scan
|
No contextual narrative or attacker simulation
|
| Pricing |
Starts at $25/month
|
Contract sales, usage-based and opaque pricing
|
| Open Source Tools |
Yes (ZAP, OpenVAS, Nmap)
|
Proprietary scanning engine
|
| Cloud-Native |
100% SaaS, no deployment needed
|
Cloud-native but requires agents or appliances
|
| Compliance Reporting |
Preformatted for SOC 2, HIPAA, PCI DSS
|
Templates available, but complex to configure
|
| Asset Management |
Focused on scoped targets
|
Full inventory and asset discovery
|
| Scalability |
Scales with clear tiered pricing by host count
|
Scales for large enterprises
|
Conclusion
Qualys VMDR is powerful and comprehensive - but that power often comes at the cost of complexity, opacity, and high prices that can strain real security budgets. If your team values speed, clarity, and compliance-capability, solution that lets you get results without the overhead, Panoptic Scans offers a clean, fast, and cost-effective alternative for companies that want results without the overhead.