Qualys vs Tenable:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Qualys and Tenable were level in searches among vulnerability scanning tools worldwide, with an estimated 49.5K branded searches each, at 12.8% of the total each. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about vulnerability scanning tools, Tenable appeared in all five answers and Qualys in two. Tenable was mentioned before Qualys in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Qualys and Tenable are searched for about as often as each other.
Who does AI mention more?
Tenable, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Tenable, named ahead of Qualys in every answer
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Top vulnerability scanning tools in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Tenable appeared in all five answers. Qualys was mentioned in two out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers, but not in either of the two Google AI Overviews. Tenable was listed before Qualys in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Tenable5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Greenbone5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Burp Suite3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
ZAP3 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Trivy3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Rapid73 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Qualys2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Acunetix1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Intruder0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about vulnerability scanning tools
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which vulnerability scanning tool should I use?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best vulnerability scanning tools?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best vulnerability scanning tool for a small security team?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“vulnerability scanning tools”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“vulnerability scan software”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in the United States on October 21, 2026.
Is Qualys or Tenable more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Qualys and Tenable by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all nine vulnerability scanning tools we track, month by month, from English-language searches worldwide.
Share of searches by month for Qualys, Tenable. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Burp Suite | Qualys | Tenable | ZAP | Trivy | Rapid7 | Greenbone | Acunetix | Intruder |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 31.8% | 11.7% | 17.4% | 11.7% | 6.4% | 9.5% | 7.8% | 3.5% | 0.14% |
| Nov 2025 | 32.3% | 11.8% | 17.7% | 11.8% | 6.5% | 9.7% | 6.5% | 3.5% | 0.11% |
| Dec 2025 | 35.9% | 10.8% | 16.1% | 10.8% | 7.2% | 8.8% | 7.2% | 3.2% | 0.13% |
| Jan 2026 | 35.2% | 10.6% | 15.8% | 10.6% | 7.1% | 10.6% | 7.1% | 3.2% | 0.13% |
| Feb 2026 | 34.8% | 12.8% | 15.6% | 10.4% | 7% | 10.4% | 5.7% | 3.1% | 0.12% |
| Mar 2026 | 28.4% | 10.4% | 12.7% | 10.4% | 23.1% | 8.5% | 3.8% | 2.5% | 0.12% |
| Apr 2026 | 33.1% | 12.1% | 14.8% | 12.1% | 12.1% | 8.1% | 4.4% | 3% | 0.12% |
| May 2026 | 36.4% | 10.9% | 16.3% | 10.9% | 8.9% | 8.9% | 4.9% | 2.7% | 0.13% |
| Jun 2026 | 31.4% | 14.1% | 14.1% | 14.1% | 9.5% | 9.5% | 4.2% | 2.8% | 0.14% |
| Jul 2026 | 32% | 14.4% | 14.4% | 11.8% | 9.6% | 9.6% | 5.3% | 2.9% | 0.11% |
| Aug 2026 | 31.3% | 14.1% | 14.1% | 11.5% | 11.5% | 9.4% | 5.2% | 2.8% | 0.09% |
| Sep 2026 | 35% | 12.8% | 12.8% | 12.8% | 10.5% | 8.6% | 4.7% | 2.6% | 0.1% |
How has the Qualys and Tenable comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Qualys was ahead of Tenable in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Qualys’ share of searches among vulnerability scanning tools worldwide moved from 11.7% to 12.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 49.5K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Tenable’s share of searches among vulnerability scanning tools worldwide moved from 17.4% to 12.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 74K to 49.5K.
How did search popularity change for vulnerability scanning tools worldwide in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Qualys lost share of searches among vulnerability scanning tools worldwide, from 14.1% to 12.8%.
In September 2026, Tenable lost share of searches among vulnerability scanning tools worldwide, from 14.1% to 12.8%.
How are branded searches counted?
2 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Qualys’ and Tenable’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Other head-to-heads among vulnerability scanning tools
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