Qualys vs SentinelOne: Complete Comparison (2026)

Updated: March 12, 20268 min read

Choosing between Qualys and SentinelOne is a common decision for cybersecurity buyers in 2026. Qualys has been in the market since 1999, giving it a 14-year head start over SentinelOne (founded 2013). Qualys serves 10K+ orgs users while SentinelOne has 12K+ orgs users globally. Qualys differentiates with vulnerability scanning and compliance monitoring, while SentinelOne leads with ai-powered endpoint protection and autonomous response. In this head-to-head comparison, SentinelOne earns a higher hiltonsoftware.co score of 94/100 — but the right choice depends on your specific needs, budget, and team size.

🔎
Qualys
Cybersecurity
86
hiltonsoftware.co Score
VS
🛡️
SentinelOne
Cybersecurity
94
hiltonsoftware.co Score
RECOMMENDED

Quick Comparison

Qualys
SentinelOne
Starting Price
Custom pricing
$45/endpoint/yr
Free Plan
No
No
Users
10K+ orgs
12K+ orgs
Founded
1999
2013
Rating
4.3/5
4.7/5
Best For
Enterprise security teams needing comprehensive vu...
Enterprises wanting AI-driven autonomous endpoint ...

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

QualysSentinelOne
89Ease of Use93
92Features96
81Value for Money97
79Customer Support96
88Integrations96
87Scalability91
78Learning Curve87

Pros & Cons at a Glance

Qualys
+Comprehensive vulnerability management
+Well-established enterprise platform
-Complex and expensive
-Interface feels dated
SentinelOne
+Autonomous threat response
+Excellent EDR capabilities
-Can generate false positives
-Enterprise pricing
AI Verdict

After comparing Qualys and SentinelOne across features, pricing, and user satisfaction, SentinelOne takes the lead with a score of 94/100 versus Qualys's 86/100. SentinelOne's key advantages include "autonomous threat response" and "excellent edr capabilities". That said, Qualys has its own strengths — particularly "comprehensive vulnerability management" — making it a viable alternative for specific use cases.

Neither Qualys nor SentinelOne offers a free plan. Qualys starts at Custom pricing and SentinelOne at $45/endpoint/yr. For the investment, Qualys delivers vulnerability scanning and compliance monitoring, while SentinelOne provides ai-powered endpoint protection and autonomous response.

Bottom line: Choose Qualys if you need enterprise security teams needing comprehensive vulnerability and compliance scanning. Go with SentinelOne if your priority is enterprises wanting ai-driven autonomous endpoint protection and response. Both are strong cybersecurity tools — we recommend trying a trial of each before committing.

CHOOSE QUALYS IF:

Enterprise security teams needing comprehensive vulnerability and compliance scanning.

CHOOSE SENTINELONE IF:

Enterprises wanting AI-driven autonomous endpoint protection and response.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Qualys better than SentinelOne in 2026?
SentinelOne scores 94/100 on hiltonsoftware.co compared to Qualys's 86/100. Qualys stands out for "comprehensive vulnerability management" and is best for Enterprise security teams needing comprehensive vulnerability and compliance scanning. SentinelOne is known for "autonomous threat response" and suits Enterprises wanting AI-driven autonomous endpoint protection and response. Your specific workflow and team size should guide the decision.
What is the pricing difference between Qualys and SentinelOne?
Both offer paid-only plans. Qualys starts at Custom pricing and SentinelOne at $45/endpoint/yr. When comparing value, consider that Qualys (founded 1999, 10K+ orgs users) includes features like Vulnerability scanning, Compliance monitoring, Asset inventory. SentinelOne (founded 2013, 12K+ orgs users) offers AI-powered endpoint protection, Autonomous response, EDR. The right choice depends on which features matter most to your team.
What are the main differences between Qualys and SentinelOne?
The key differences come down to focus and approach. Qualys excels at Vulnerability scanning, Compliance monitoring, Asset inventory, while SentinelOne focuses on AI-powered endpoint protection, Autonomous response, EDR. Qualys's main advantage is "comprehensive vulnerability management", though some users note "complex and expensive". SentinelOne's strength is "autonomous threat response", but "can generate false positives" can be a drawback. Both serve the Cybersecurity market but target different user profiles.
Can I switch from Qualys to SentinelOne?
Switching between Qualys and SentinelOne is possible since both operate in the Cybersecurity space. Before migrating, export your data from Qualys and check SentinelOne's import capabilities. Key features to verify compatibility: Vulnerability scanning, Compliance monitoring, Asset inventory (Qualys) vs AI-powered endpoint protection, Autonomous response, EDR (SentinelOne). Consider running both tools in parallel during a trial period to ensure a smooth transition.
Which is better for small teams: Qualys or SentinelOne?
Both tools require paid subscriptions (Qualys: Custom pricing, SentinelOne: $45/endpoint/yr), so evaluate based on features. Qualys is ideal for Enterprise security teams needing comprehensive vulnerability and compliance scanning, while SentinelOne fits Enterprises wanting AI-driven autonomous endpoint protection and response. Try both during their trial periods to see which fits your team's workflow.

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