If you’re searching for a robust application security testing solution in 2025, two names that often come up are Qualys Web Application Scanning (WAS) and Invicti (formerly Netsparker). Both have long-standing reputations in the cybersecurity space and are frequently evaluated by enterprises looking to enhance their vulnerability detection programs.
But how do they compare when it comes to modern-day needs like AI-driven testing, support for complex login flows, developer experience, and pricing flexibility?
In this blog, we’ll put the spotlight on Qualys vs Invicti, highlight where each platform shines, identify the challenges they pose, and introduce a third contender built for modern DevSecOps workflows: Beagle Security.
Feature | Qualys WAS | Invicti |
---|---|---|
Target market | Enterprises, compliance-heavy | Mid-market to enterprise |
Ease of use | Complex UI & workflows | Moderate learning curve |
AI features | None | Limited |
Free trial | No | 7-day trial |
Pricing starts at | Custom quote | ~$37,000/year |
G2 rating | 4.5/5 | 4.6/5 |
Beagle Security is a modern DAST platform designed to eliminate the legacy overhead found in older tools like Qualys and Invicti. It’s built for security and development teams that want to automate application security testing across multiple environments, without battling steep learning curves or restrictive licensing.
Beagle offers features like AI-based login handling, contextual remediation reports tailored to your tech stack, and support for REST, SOAP, and GraphQL APIs. It’s ideal for teams working with SPAs, custom workflows, or applications behind 2FA.
With concurrent test-based pricing and no limits on the number of applications you can test, Beagle is a scalable and cost-efficient alternative that brings clarity, speed, and security together.
Faster onboarding: No training or setup delays
Unlimited apps: Pricing based on concurrent tests, not targets
2FA-ready: Supports testing for 2FA-protected apps out of the box
Contextual reporting: Fix recommendations tailored to user techstack
AI-enabled automation:
Feature | Qualys WAS | Invicti | Beagle Security |
---|---|---|---|
DAST | Yes | Yes | Yes |
API security | REST/SOAP | REST | REST + GraphQL |
Business logic testing | No | No | Yes |
AI-based login handling | No | No | Yes |
CI/CD integration | Limited | Advanced | Seamless |
Reporting | Basic | Structured | Contextual & dev-first |
2FA-enabled app support | No | No | Yes |
False positive filtering | Manual effort | Limited | AI-assisted |
Qualys WAS is part of a broader Qualys Cloud Platform and is generally used in compliance-heavy environments. It includes a capable DAST engine, asset discovery, scan scheduling, and a unified dashboard for managing alerts.
However, users often report that the interface is outdated and unintuitive. Multi-step authentication, modern frameworks, and SPAs present scanning challenges. It doesn’t support 2FA, lacks AI-driven logic, and requires manual tuning to avoid false positives.
Key Invicti features
DAST engine with high scalability
Enterprise CI/CD and workflow integrations
Team-based access controls
Rich vulnerability tracking and assignment
Limited support for modern API and logic workflows
SSO and role-based access management
Invicti brings more automation and workflow control to the table. Its Proof-Based Scanning™ helps validate real vulnerabilities, reducing false positives. It integrates better with CI/CD pipelines than Qualys and provides customizable scan policies and role-based access.
Still, it doesn’t support advanced logic-based testing or 2FA-secured applications. Its learning curve is easier than Qualys, but still requires time and tuning to get right.
Beagle Security includes everything you need for modern application security testing—from AI-based test logic and 2FA support to developer-first reporting. It doesn’t rely on traditional signatures alone and mimics attacker behavior to identify context-specific vulnerabilities.
It also integrates natively with your CI/CD pipeline, offers instant test deployment, and supports custom workflows without needing configuration templates or manual test scripts.
Key features:
AI-powered DAST and business logic testing
Contextual remediation guidance based on tech stack
Full API security support (REST, GraphQL)
Real-world penetration testing simulations
Intelligent test case selection and false positive filtering
Seamless CI/CD integration and DevSecOps alignment
Concurrent test-based pricing for enterprise flexibility
Easy onboarding and intuitive UX
Platform | Pricing Model | Starting Price | Free Trial |
---|---|---|---|
Qualys | Per-target licensing | Custom quote | No |
Invicti | Per-FQDN | ~$37,000/year | 7-day trial |
Beagle Security | Concurrent test-based | $1,428/year | 14-day free trial |
Qualys pricing depends on multiple modules and the number of applications you want to scan. For most use cases, it follows a per-target pricing model, which can escalate rapidly in dynamic environments. It does not offer a free trial, and the pricing is often bundled with other Qualys products, making standalone web scanning less accessible.
Invicti uses per-FQDN licensing, which starts around $37,000/year for 50 FQDNs and increases with additional features or scan targets. While the 7-day trial helps with evaluation, the pricing structure limits flexibility for teams with frequent deployment cycles or multiple environments.
Beagle Security is refreshingly transparent. Pricing is based on features and usage, not arbitrary target limits. It offers annual and monthly plans with MSSP-friendly models. Most importantly, you can try it for free before deciding.
Even at lower tiers, you get access to core features including AI automation, business logic testing, and CI/CD integration, making it one of the most cost-effective platforms for proactive security testing.
Platform | G2 Rating | Capterra Rating |
---|---|---|
Qualys | 4.5/5 | 4.2/5 |
Invicti | 4.6/5 | 4.7/5 |
Beagle Security | 4.7/5 | 4.6/5 |
Users often praise Qualys WAS for its extensive dashboard and policy compliance coverage. But many reviews highlight issues like difficult UI, lack of contextual vulnerability info, and poor support for dynamic applications.
Source: PeerSpot
Invicti gets credit for reliable scans and good automation. However, its lack of 2FA support, false positives, and manual configuration requirements continue to be areas for improvement.
Source: G2
Beagle is consistently rated for ease of use, powerful test coverage, and fast, contextual reports. Reviewers also cite responsive support and onboarding simplicity as major benefits for small and large teams alike.
You’re already using the Qualys Cloud Platform
You need compliance-focused reporting and asset management
You have time and expertise to manage configurations manually
You want automated scanning with vulnerability validation
You need CI/CD and policy-based scanning features
You’re okay with FQDN-based licensing
You need full-spectrum, AI-powered DAST
You want predictable, scalable pricing
You test frequently across staging, dev, and production
You value actionable, stack-specific remediation advice
Qualys and Invicti serve traditional security programs well. But if you’re building or scaling a modern AppSec strategy, Beagle Security is the more agile, cost-effective choice.
No lock-ins. No per-target surprises. Just powerful, automated testing built for real-world applications.
You can start a 14-day free trial or schedule a demo to get started with the Beagle Security platform.