AWS Web Application Firewall vs BBQ Firewall
Both AWS Web Application Firewall and BBQ Firewall are capable WAF solutions. The right choice depends on your specific infrastructure, budget, and feature requirements.
Overview
AWS Web Application Firewall and BBQ 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.
The lightest WordPress firewall plugin. Under 10KB, zero configuration, based on Jeff Starr's battle-tested 7G/8G ruleset. 100,000+ active installs. Free version covers most sites. Pro adds customizable rules and statistics.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | AWS Web Application Firewall | BBQ Firewall |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 4.3/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Free Tier | No | Yes |
| Pricing Model | Pay-per-use (rules + requests) | Freemium (Free tier + paid licenses with lifetime option) |
| Ease of Use | 3.5/5 | 5.0/5 |
| Value for Money | 4.0/5 | 4.6/5 |
| Support | 4.0/5 | 3.7/5 |
| Platforms | AWS CloudFront, ALB, API Gateway, AppSync, Cognito, App Runner, Verified Access | WordPress (self-hosted) |
| Compliance | SOC 1/2/3, PCI DSS, HIPAA, FedRAMP, ISO 27001 | Contact vendor |
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
BBQ Firewall
Model: Freemium (Free tier + paid licenses with lifetime option)
Free Tier AvailableFree
$0
Pro (1 site, yearly)
$30/year
Pro (1 site, lifetime)
$50 one-time
Pro (3 sites, lifetime)
$100 one-time
Pro (10 sites, lifetime)
$200 one-time
Pro (300 sites, lifetime)
$440 one-time
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.
BBQ Firewall
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7G/8G Request Filtering
Regex-based pattern matching against incoming URIs, query strings, user agents, and referrers. Based on over a decade of refinement by Jeff Starr.
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SQL Injection Protection
Blocks common SQL injection patterns including UNION, SELECT, eval(), and base64-encoded payloads.
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Directory Traversal Protection
Catches path traversal attempts, null byte injection, and requests for sensitive system files.
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Bad Bot Blocking
Filters known malicious user agents and referrer spam patterns.
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Request Method Scanning
Checks all HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE, etc.) against firewall rules.
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Customizable Patterns
Add, edit, or remove firewall patterns to fine-tune protection for your specific site (Pro feature).
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Block Statistics
Visual bar graphs showing hit counts per pattern to measure firewall effectiveness (Pro feature).
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Email Alerts
Receive notifications when requests are blocked (Pro feature).
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
BBQ Firewall
- You need: WordPress site owners wanting the absolute lightest firewall with zero overhead. Sites where every millisecond of performance matters. Developers who want a clean, focused security tool without bloat. Agencies managing hundreds of sites on a budget with the lifetime license.
- You want to start with a free tier
- You're using: WordPress (self-hosted)
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 is better for startups: AWS Web Application Firewall or BBQ Firewall?
BBQ Firewall offers a free tier while AWS Web Application Firewall does not, making BBQ Firewall more accessible for budget-conscious startups. BBQ Firewall scores higher for ease of use (5.0/5), which is valuable for smaller teams. Consider your immediate security needs and growth plans when choosing.
Which has better support: AWS Web Application Firewall or BBQ Firewall?
AWS Web Application Firewall has a higher support rating (4.0/5) compared to BBQ Firewall (3.7/5). 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 BBQ Firewall?
BBQ Firewall scores higher for ease of use (5.0/5) 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 BBQ Firewall?
BBQ Firewall offers a free tier while AWS Web Application Firewall requires a paid plan. BBQ Firewall scores higher for value (4.6/5). Total cost depends on your traffic volume, required features, and support level needs.
Which works better with AWS: AWS Web Application Firewall or BBQ Firewall?
AWS Web Application Firewall is AWS's native WAF solution, offering the tightest integration with AWS services like CloudFront, ALB, and API Gateway. BBQ 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.