Head-to-head · PCI Compliance Software
Qualys PCI Compliance vs PCI Assessments Center
Qualys PCI Compliance leads on 0 checks, PCI Assessments Center on 1, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.
Our verdict
- Highest scoreQualys PCI Compliance · 9.2/10
- Free planonly PCI Assessments Center
- Most featuresQualys PCI Compliance · 2 of 5
Qualys PCI Compliance scores higher on our rubric for pci compliance software: 9.2 against 7.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #8.
PCI Assessments Center offers free plan; Qualys PCI Compliance doesn't.
Qualys PCI Compliance is the better fit for teams needing PCI scanning and bank-ready reports. PCI Assessments Center is the better fit for small merchants completing a PCI self-assessment.
- Qualys PCI Compliance fits best
Teams needing PCI scanning and bank-ready reports
- PCI Assessments Center fits best
Small merchants completing a PCI self-assessment
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Side by side
| Feature | Qualys PCI Compliance 9.2/10 Visit ↗ | PCI Assessments Center 7.2/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 9.2 | 7.2 |
| Ranking | #1 in PCI Compliance Software | #8 in PCI Compliance Software |
| Best for | Teams needing PCI scanning and bank-ready reports | Small merchants completing a PCI self-assessment |
| Pricing model | Paid | Free plan + paid |
| Starting price | Pricing on request | — |
| Free plan | — | ✓ (best) |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Deployment | Cloud | Cloud |
| Platforms | Web | Web |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise | Small business |
| Features Qualys PCI Compliance 2/5 · PCI Assessments Center 1/5 | ||
| SAQ guidance | ✓ | ✓ |
| Evidence collection | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Vulnerability scanning | ✓ (best) | Not checked yet |
| Policy management | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Vendor risk assessments | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Specs | ||
| PCI DSS versions | Not checked yet | V4.0 |
| Named-user limit | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Our review | ||
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| Cons |
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| Our verdict | Qualys PCI Compliance is an on-demand service for merchants and their consultants working to validate PCI DSS compliance. Available through a browser without software to install or maintain, it brings external network scans, web… Read the review → |
PCI Assessments Center is a free, cloud-based web platform for organizations completing PCI DSS self-assessments and preparing for PCI-related training. It is aimed at small merchants that need guidance selecting the right Self-Assessment… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Qualys PCI Compliance — where it wins
- PCI-approved external scans plus web application scanning
- Combines self-assessment questionnaires with executive and technical reports
- Supports remediation, segmented rescanning and report submission to participating banks
Where it doesn't
- Paid pricing requires contacting sales
- Deployment is cloud-based rather than on-premises
- Email is the stated support channel
PCI Assessments Center — where it wins
- Free SAQ selector aligned with the PCI SSC decision tree
- Workflows cover all 10 PCI DSS v4.0.1 SAQs
- Generates SAQ response PDFs and self-attested AoCs
Where it doesn't
- Generated documents are not QSA-signed deliverables
- Focused on self-assessment rather than formal QSA reporting
- Web-only deployment may not suit teams needing broader platforms
- Qualys PCI Compliance9.2/10 · Pricing on request
A focused PCI service for scanning, questionnaires, remediation and compliance reports.
Visit QualysFull verdict → - PCI Assessments Center7.2/10 · Free plan
A free web platform guiding small merchants through PCI DSS self-assessment.
Visit siteFull verdict →
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- TrustKeeper PCI Manager vs PCI Assessments Center
- Drata vs PCI Assessments Center
All PCI compliance software comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update