Best Qualys VMDR Alternatives in 2026
The top Qualys VMDR alternatives are Intruder, OpenVAS and ManageEngine Vulnerability Manager Plus: 15 network vulnerability scanners our editors would look at instead of Qualys VMDR, in our ranking order.
Qualys VMDR: A broad hybrid-asset scanner for enterprises that need risk-based remediation workflows. Where it falls short: starts at $2,195 and has no free plan.
Switching from Qualys VMDR? For most network vulnerability scanners buyers the best Qualys VMDR alternative is Intruder, built for broad hybrid scanning with a free starting tier. On a budget, Rapid7 InsightVM starts at $1.62/mo. OpenVAS offers the most asset limit (150 assets).
Why People Look for a Qualys VMDR Alternative
- Starts at $2,195 and has no free plan
- The broad feature set may exceed focused scanning needs
- Higher tiers are required for remediation and endpoint protection
- No free plan — 7 of the alternatives below have it
Quick Picks by What You Need
- Best overallIntruder9.4
Broad hybrid scanning with a free starting tier
Visit Intruder - Lowest priceRapid7 InsightVM8.9
Paid plans from $1.62/mo
Visit Rapid7 InsightVM - Best free optionIntruder9.4
Has a free plan (Qualys VMDR has none)
Visit Intruder - Most asset limitOpenVAS9.2
150 assets
Visit OpenVAS
All 15 Qualys VMDR Alternatives, Ranked
Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.
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Best forBroad hybrid scanning with a free starting tier
- Better than Qualys VMDR:
- Free plan
- Editor score 9.4 vs 8.8
A broad hybrid scanner with a useful free tier and target-based paid pricing.
9.4/10★★★★★Visit Intruder -
Best forMature open-source vulnerability management
- Better than Qualys VMDR:
- Free plan
- Editor score 9.2 vs 8.8
A mature, flexible scanner for organizations that need broad vulnerability management.
9.2/10★★★★★Visit OpenVAS -
Best forAffordable endpoint and network remediation
- Better than Qualys VMDR:
- Free plan
- Editor score 9.1 vs 8.8
A broad vulnerability manager with affordable entry pricing and strong remediation coverage.
9.1/10★★★★★Visit ManageEngine -
Best forRisk-based scanning with remediation workflows
- Better than Qualys VMDR:
- Editor score 8.9 vs 8.8
A broad vulnerability management platform with risk prioritization and remediation tracking.
8.9/10★★★★☆Visit Rapid7 -
Best forCloud scanning with strong reporting and validation
- Better than Qualys VMDR:
- Free plan
A cloud scanner combining CVE detection, validation, monitoring, and reporting.
Free plan · 7-day trial Our Pentest-Tools Network Vulnerability Scanner verdict → Visit Pentest-Tools8.7/10★★★★☆Visit Pentest-Tools -
Best forOpen-source scanning with AI and compliance breadth
- Better than Qualys VMDR:
- Free plan
A local-first scanner with open-source access, AI analysis, and compliance-focused tiers.
8.5/10★★★★☆Visit NSAuditor AI -
Best forLow-cost network scanning and evidence reports
- Better than Qualys VMDR:
- Free plan
Low-cost network scanning with credentialed checks, prioritization, and evidence-backed reports.
- Credentialed scans
- Network discovery
- Compliance checks
8.3/10★★★★☆Visit ScanTitan -
Best forCloud-based network discovery and compliance
A cloud scanner for network discovery, authenticated assessment, compliance, and PCI checks.
- Agent-based scanning
- Credentialed scans
- Network discovery
8.2/10★★★★☆Visit Outpost24 -
Best forMulti-site internal and external scanning
A multi-site scanner for recurring, authenticated vulnerability assessments across distributed environments.
7.9/10★★★★☆Visit Kaseya -
Best forEstablished standalone network scanning
A capable standalone scanner with broad assessment coverage, but a high annual entry price.
7.8/10★★★★☆Visit Tenable -
Best forFlexible enterprise appliance deployments
A flexible scanner for hybrid, air-gapped, and enterprise network environments.
- Agent-based scanning
- Credentialed scans
- Network discovery
7.7/10★★★★☆Visit Qualys -
Best forHybrid scanning with compliance reporting
A hybrid scanner for teams that need credentialed assessments and compliance reporting.
- Agent-based scanning
- Credentialed scans
- Network discovery
7.6/10★★★★☆Visit CloneGuard -
Best forHybrid discovery with agent flexibility
A broad hybrid scanner for enterprises that need discovery, credentialed checks, and risk scoring.
- Agent-based scanning
- Credentialed scans
- Network discovery
7.5/10★★★★☆Visit Tripwire IP360 -
Best forCommercial OpenVAS-style distributed scanning
A commercial, distributed scanner for network services, endpoints, containers, and compliance.
- Agent-based scanning
- Credentialed scans
- Network discovery
7.4/10★★★★☆Visit Greenbone -
Best forFree modular network and subdomain discovery
- Better than Qualys VMDR:
- Free plan
A free, modular scanner for discovery, vulnerability checks, and flexible reporting.
- Network discovery
7.3/10★★★★☆Try OWASP Nettacker
Qualys VMDR Alternatives: Common Questions
What is the best alternative to Qualys VMDR?
Intruder: #1 in our Network Vulnerability Scanners ranking, with an editor score of 9.4 out of 10. A broad hybrid scanner with a useful free tier and target-based paid pricing.
Is there a free alternative to Qualys VMDR?
Yes. Intruder, OpenVAS, ManageEngine Vulnerability Manager Plus, Pentest-Tools Network Vulnerability Scanner and NSAuditor AI have a free plan or a free tier (7 of the 15 alternatives on this page).
What is the cheapest paid alternative to Qualys VMDR?
Of the alternatives here that publish a price, Rapid7 InsightVM starts lowest, at $1.62/mo.
Why do people look for Qualys VMDR alternatives?
Starts at $2,195 and has no free plan; The broad feature set may exceed focused scanning needs; Higher tiers are required for remediation and endpoint protection.
Which Qualys VMDR alternative has the most asset limit?
OpenVAS, with 150 assets.
How do I switch from Qualys VMDR?
Export your data from Qualys VMDR (most tools have an export in their settings). Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one. Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on. Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Qualys VMDR.
How to Switch from Qualys VMDR
- Export your data from Qualys VMDR (most tools have an export in their settings).
- Sign up for the alternative; start on its free plan or trial if it has one.
- Import your export and set up the integrations your team relies on.
- Run both side by side for a short while, then cancel Qualys VMDR.
Qualys VMDR vs Each Alternative
| # | Tool | Free plan | Paid from | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | Qualys VMDR | No | 8.8 | |
| 1 | Intruder | Yes | 9.4 | |
| 2 | OpenVAS | Yes | 9.2 | |
| 3 | ManageEngine Vulnerability Manager Plus | Yes | $695/unit/yr | 9.1 |
| 4 | Rapid7 InsightVM | $1.62/mo | 8.9 | |
| 5 | Pentest-Tools Network Vulnerability Scanner | Yes | $95/mo | 8.7 |
| 6 | NSAuditor AI | Yes | 8.5 | |
| 7 | ScanTitan | Yes | $119/yr | 8.3 |
| 8 | OUTSCAN | 8.2 | ||
| 9 | Kaseya VulScan | No | 7.9 | |
| 10 | Tenable Nessus | No | $4,790/yr | 7.8 |
| 11 | Qualys Scanner Appliance | 7.7 | ||
| 12 | CloneGuard Vulnerability Assessment | No | $595/yr | 7.6 |
| 13 | Tripwire IP360 | 7.5 | ||
| 14 | OPENVAS SCAN | No | 7.4 | |
| 15 | OWASP Nettacker | Yes | Free | 7.3 |
Head-to-Head
- Qualys VMDR vs Intruder
- Qualys VMDR vs ManageEngine Vulnerability Manager Plus
- Qualys VMDR vs Rapid7 InsightVM
- Qualys VMDR vs Pentest-Tools Network Vulnerability Scanner
- Qualys VMDR vs NSAuditor AI
- Qualys VMDR vs ScanTitan
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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