Akto
Akto is an open-source API security platform that helps you discover all your APIs, detect sensitive data exposure, and find vulnerabilities in your CI/CD pipeline before hackers do.
Qualys
Qualys is a cloud-based security platform that helps you identify vulnerabilities, ensure compliance, and protect your entire IT infrastructure from cyber threats through a single, integrated dashboard.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Akto | Qualys |
|---|---|---|
| Website | akto.io | qualys.com |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Custom |
| Starting Price | Free | Custom Pricing |
| FREE Trial | ✓ 14 days free trial | ✓ 30 days free trial |
| Free Plan | ✓ Has free plan | ✘ No free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2021 | 1999 |
| Headquarters | Bengaluru, India | Foster City, USA |
Overview
Akto
Akto is a specialized API security platform designed to help you secure your entire API ecosystem. You can automatically discover every API endpoint in your network, including hidden or 'shadow' APIs that often go undocumented. The platform continuously monitors your traffic to identify where sensitive data like PII or financial info is being exposed, giving you a clear map of your security posture.
You can integrate security testing directly into your development workflow by running over 100 built-in security tests against your APIs. This allows you to catch broken object-level authorization (BOLA) and other common vulnerabilities before they reach production. Whether you are a security engineer or a developer, you can use Akto to automate the tedious parts of API auditing and maintain a robust defense against modern web threats.
Qualys
Qualys provides you with a unified view of your entire IT environment, from on-premise systems and endpoints to clouds and mobile devices. You can automatically discover every asset in your network and identify security gaps before attackers find them. The platform simplifies the complex task of managing vulnerabilities by prioritizing the most critical risks based on real-time threat intelligence, allowing your team to focus on what matters most.
You can also automate your compliance audits and ensure your systems meet industry standards like PCI DSS or HIPAA without manual spreadsheets. Because it operates as a cloud-based service, you don't have to manage hardware or software updates. It scales effortlessly with your business, whether you are securing a small office or a global enterprise with thousands of remote endpoints.
Overview
Akto Features
- Automated API Discovery Inventory all your APIs automatically by analyzing network traffic to find shadow APIs and undocumented endpoints instantly.
- Sensitive Data Tracking Identify exactly where sensitive data like passwords or credit card numbers are leaking across your API requests and responses.
- BOLA Detection Run automated tests to find Broken Object Level Authorization flaws, the most critical risk in modern API security today.
- CI/CD Integration Trigger automated security scans within your GitHub or GitLab pipelines to stop vulnerable code from ever being deployed.
- API Traffic Mirroring Analyze real-world traffic patterns without impacting your application performance using seamless mirroring from AWS, Azure, or GCP.
- Custom Test Editor Create your own security tests using a simple YAML-based editor to address unique business logic vulnerabilities in your apps.
Qualys Features
- Asset Inventory. Discover and categorize every device on your network automatically so you never have to worry about blind spots.
- Vulnerability Management. Scan your systems continuously to find security weaknesses and get actionable instructions on how to fix them quickly.
- Threat Prioritization. Focus your efforts on the vulnerabilities most likely to be exploited using real-time data and risk scoring.
- Patch Management. Deploy software updates and security patches directly from the console to remediate vulnerabilities across your entire fleet.
- Compliance Monitoring. Automate your configuration checks and generate audit-ready reports to prove you meet internal and external regulatory requirements.
- Cloud Security. Secure your public cloud workloads in AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud with specialized tools for container and serverless environments.
Pricing Comparison
Akto Pricing
- Up to 50 endpoints
- Automated API discovery
- Basic security tests
- Community support
- Local deployment option
- Everything in Free, plus:
- Unlimited endpoints
- Advanced sensitive data detection
- CI/CD pipeline integration
- Slack and Jira alerts
- Priority email support
Qualys Pricing
Pros & Cons
Akto
Pros
- Fast setup with immediate visibility into shadow APIs
- Comprehensive library of pre-built security test cases
- Open-source core allows for deep customization
- Strong focus on the OWASP API Top 10
- Easy integration with existing DevOps workflows
Cons
- Initial traffic mirroring setup can be technical
- Pro tier pricing is a significant jump
- Learning curve for writing custom YAML tests
Qualys
Pros
- Extensive library of vulnerability signatures updated daily
- Centralized dashboard provides excellent visibility across assets
- Cloud-native architecture eliminates the need for local servers
- Highly accurate scanning with very low false-positive rates
Cons
- Interface can feel complex for new security users
- Reporting engine requires a learning curve to master
- Pricing can be high for smaller organizations