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Software · head to head

Burp Suite vs IBM QRadar

Burp Suite logo

Burp Suite

Software

The leading toolkit for web security testing

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
IBM QRadar logo

IBM QRadar

Software

Intelligent security analytics for real-time visibility

From
On request
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Burp Suite has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Burp Suite the automated vulnerability scanner is Professional only, at $499; the free Community edition is manual tools; IBM QRadar listed on UK G-Cloud at £639 per unit, submitted directly by IBM United Kingdom Limited for IBM Security QRadar on Cloud SIEM (unit basis not further defined in the listing)
  • They diverge on capability: Burp Suite covers Web vulnerability scanner, IBM QRadar covers AI-powered detection.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Burp Suite and IBM QRadar actually diverge.

Attributes where Burp Suite and IBM QRadar differ
AttributeBurp SuiteIBM QRadar
Starting priceFreeOn request
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsDesktop, ApiWeb, Api
Founded20041911

Identical on both: pricing model (subscription), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Burp Suite

  • Web vulnerability scanner
  • Proxy interceptor
  • Intruder
  • Repeater
  • Sequencer
  • Decoder
  • Comparer
  • Logger

Only in IBM QRadar

  • AI-powered detection
  • User behavior analytics
  • Network insights
  • Offense management
  • IBM X-Force threat intelligence
  • Federated search
  • Case management
  • Compliance templates

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Burp Suite

  • Manual web application penetration testing through an intercepting proxynot IBM QRadar
  • Automated scanning for web vulnerabilities on the Professional editionnot IBM QRadar
  • Extending testing with community-built BApp extensionsnot IBM QRadar
  • Enterprise-wide dynamic scanning through Burp DASTnot IBM QRadar

IBM QRadar

  • Siemnot Burp Suite
  • Security Analyticsnot Burp Suite
  • Threat Intelligencenot Burp Suite

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Burp Suite

  • The automated vulnerability scanner is Professional only, at $499; the free Community edition is manual tools
  • BApp Store extensions require the Professional edition
  • DAST and the agentic testing product are separate enterprise offerings with no published price
  • Professional is licensed per user per year rather than perpetually

IBM QRadar

  • Listed on UK G-Cloud at £639 per unit, submitted directly by IBM United Kingdom Limited for IBM Security QRadar on Cloud SIEM (unit basis not further defined in the listing)

Pricing, plan by plan

Burp Suite

Free
  • Community EditionFree
    • Essential manual tools
    • Proxy
    • Repeater
  • Professional$449/year
    • All Community features
    • Burp Scanner
    • Advanced manual tools
  • Enterprise$6995/year
    • CI/CD integration
    • Scheduled scans
    • Role-based access

IBM QRadar

On request
  • QRadar SIEMFree
    • Event and flow processing
    • Offense management
    • Threat intelligence
  • QRadar CloudFree
    • Cloud-native deployment
    • Elastic scaling
    • Managed infrastructure
  • QRadar SuiteFree
    • SIEM + SOAR + XDR
    • Unified analyst experience
    • Federated search

Which should you pick?

Choose Burp Suite if

  • You need web vulnerability scanner.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Desktop, Api.
  • You also want proxy interceptor.
Burp Suite review

Choose IBM QRadar if

  • You need ai-powered detection.
  • You work on Web, Api.
  • You also want user behavior analytics.
IBM QRadar review

Questions people ask

Is Burp Suite or IBM QRadar better?
Neither clearly leads. Burp Suite starts at Free and IBM QRadar at On request, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Burp Suite or IBM QRadar?
Burp Suite has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Burp Suite and On request for IBM QRadar.
Does Burp Suite or IBM QRadar run on more platforms?
Burp Suite runs on Desktop, Api. IBM QRadar runs on Web, Api.
Can I use Burp Suite for free?
Yes. Burp Suite has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. IBM QRadar starts at On request.
What is Burp Suite best used for?
Burp Suite is most often used for manual web application penetration testing through an intercepting proxy, automated scanning for web vulnerabilities on the professional edition, extending testing with community-built bapp extensions, enterprise-wide dynamic scanning through burp dast. Of those, manual web application penetration testing through an intercepting proxy and automated scanning for web vulnerabilities on the professional edition are not what IBM QRadar is typically brought in for.
What can Burp Suite do that IBM QRadar cannot?
Burp Suite covers Web vulnerability scanner, Proxy interceptor, Intruder, Repeater. IBM QRadar covers AI-powered detection, User behavior analytics, Network insights, Offense management.
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