AWS Web Application Firewall vs Azure Web Application Firewall
AWS Web Application Firewall edges out in this comparison, offering AWS-native applications, organizations already invested in AWS ecosystem, variable traffic workloads, multi-account AWS environments. However, Azure Web Application Firewall may be better suited if Azure-native applications, Microsoft enterprise customers, government and regulated industries, global applications needing edge protection.
Overview
AWS Web Application Firewall and Azure Web Application Firewall are both popular web application firewall solutions. This comparison will help you understand the key differences and choose the right one for your needs.
Native AWS security service providing scalable WAF protection for applications hosted on AWS infrastructure with pay-per-use pricing.
Microsoft's cloud-native WAF integrated with Azure Application Gateway and Front Door, offering enterprise-grade protection with deep Azure ecosystem integration.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | AWS Web Application Firewall | Azure Web Application Firewall |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 4.3/5 | 4.2/5 |
| Free Tier | No | No |
| Pricing Model | Pay-per-use (rules + requests) | Pay-per-use (gateway hours + data processed) |
| Ease of Use | 3.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Value for Money | 4.0/5 | 3.8/5 |
| Support | 4.0/5 | 4.2/5 |
| Platforms | AWS CloudFront, ALB, API Gateway, AppSync, Cognito, App Runner, Verified Access | Azure Application Gateway, Azure Front Door, Azure CDN, Azure Spring Apps |
| Compliance | SOC 1/2/3, PCI DSS, HIPAA, FedRAMP, ISO 27001 | SOC 1/2/3, PCI DSS, HIPAA, FedRAMP High, ISO 27001, ISO 27018 |
Pricing Comparison
AWS Web Application Firewall
Model: Pay-per-use (rules + requests)
Small (1 ACL, 10 rules)
$15/month + $0.60/M requests
Medium (2 ACL, 25 rules)
$35/month + $0.60/M requests
Large (5 ACL, 50 rules)
$75/month + $0.60/M requests
Azure Web Application Firewall
Model: Pay-per-use (gateway hours + data processed)
Application Gateway WAF v2
~$0.443/hour + $0.008/GB
Front Door Standard
$35/month base + usage
Front Door Premium
$330/month base + usage
Features Comparison
AWS Web Application Firewall
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AWS Managed Rules
Pre-configured rule groups maintained by AWS and AWS Marketplace sellers for common threats.
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Custom Rules
Build your own rules using conditions like IP addresses, HTTP headers, URI strings, and more.
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Rate-Based Rules
Automatically block IPs that exceed defined request thresholds.
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Bot Control
Managed rule group for detecting and managing bot traffic (additional cost).
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Fraud Control
Account takeover prevention and creation fraud detection for login/signup pages.
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Firewall Manager Integration
Centrally configure and manage WAF rules across multiple AWS accounts.
Azure Web Application Firewall
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OWASP Core Rule Set
Pre-configured protection against OWASP Top 10 vulnerabilities with regularly updated rule sets.
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Custom Rules
Create custom rules based on geo-location, IP address, request attributes, and rate limiting.
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Bot Protection
Managed bot protection ruleset to detect and mitigate malicious bot traffic (Premium tier).
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Per-Site Policies
Apply different WAF policies to different sites behind the same gateway.
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Exclusion Lists
Fine-tune rules by excluding specific request attributes to reduce false positives.
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Geo-Filtering
Allow or block traffic based on country/region of origin.
Which One Is Right for You?
The best WAF depends on your specific requirements, infrastructure, and team expertise.
AWS Web Application Firewall
- You need: AWS-native applications, organizations already invested in AWS ecosystem, variable traffic workloads, multi-account AWS environments
- You're using: AWS CloudFront, ALB, API Gateway, AppSync, Cognito, App Runner, Verified Access
Azure Web Application Firewall
- You need: Azure-native applications, Microsoft enterprise customers, government and regulated industries, global applications needing edge protection
- You're using: Azure Application Gateway, Azure Front Door, Azure CDN, Azure Spring Apps
We recommend evaluating both options with a trial or free tier before committing. Consider your existing infrastructure, team expertise, compliance requirements, and budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has better support: AWS Web Application Firewall or Azure Web Application Firewall?
Azure Web Application Firewall has a higher support rating (4.2/5) compared to AWS Web Application Firewall (4.0/5). However, support quality can vary based on your plan tier - enterprise customers typically receive more responsive support from both providers. Consider evaluating support during a trial period.
Which is easier to implement: AWS Web Application Firewall or Azure Web Application Firewall?
Azure Web Application Firewall scores higher for ease of use (3.5/5) versus AWS Web Application Firewall (3.5/5). The actual implementation effort depends on your existing infrastructure and team expertise.
Which is more cost-effective: AWS Web Application Firewall or Azure Web Application Firewall?
Neither provider offers a completely free tier. AWS Web Application Firewall scores higher for value (4.0/5). Total cost depends on your traffic volume, required features, and support level needs.
Which works better with AWS: AWS Web Application Firewall or Azure Web Application Firewall?
AWS Web Application Firewall is AWS's native WAF solution, offering the tightest integration with AWS services like CloudFront, ALB, and API Gateway. Azure Web Application Firewall can also protect AWS workloads but requires additional configuration. Consider whether native AWS integration or cross-cloud portability matters more for your use case.
Which is better for enterprise: AWS Web Application Firewall or Azure Web Application Firewall?
Azure Web Application Firewall is positioned for enterprise use cases, while AWS Web Application Firewall may be more suited for small to mid-market organizations. Enterprise buyers should evaluate SLAs, support options, and integration capabilities.