AWS Web Application Firewall vs Blackwall
AWS Web Application Firewall and Blackwall take different approaches to web application security. Consider your team's expertise and infrastructure preferences when evaluating these options.
AWS Web Application Firewall and Blackwall take fundamentally different approaches to web application security. Understanding your infrastructure and team capabilities will help determine which approach fits your needs.
Overview
AWS Web Application Firewall and Blackwall 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.
Bot protection and WAF platform formerly known as BotGuard. Two products, BotGuard (website protection for SMBs) and GateKeeper (distributed reverse proxy with WAF for hosting providers). B2B2C model targeting hosting providers who bundle security for their customers. Free monitoring mode available. CloudFest Diamond sponsor.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | AWS Web Application Firewall | Blackwall |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 4.3/5 | 3.4/5 |
| Free Tier | No | Yes |
| Pricing Model | Pay-per-use (rules + requests) | Custom (contact sales) |
| Ease of Use | 3.5/5 | 3.8/5 |
| Value for Money | 4.0/5 | 3.2/5 |
| Support | 4.0/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Platforms | AWS CloudFront, ALB, API Gateway, AppSync, Cognito, App Runner, Verified Access | Any web server (Apache, Nginx, LiteSpeed) for BotGuard. Any hosting provider infrastructure for GateKeeper. Compatible with shared hosting, VPS, dedicated servers, and cloud environments. |
| Compliance | SOC 1/2/3, PCI DSS, HIPAA, FedRAMP, ISO 27001 | GDPR compliant |
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
Blackwall
Model: Custom (contact sales)
Free Tier AvailableBotGuard (Free Monitoring)
Free
BotGuard (Active Protection)
Custom
GateKeeper (Hosting Providers)
Custom
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.
Blackwall
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BotGuard Web Protection
Cloud-based bot detection and mitigation for individual websites. Integrates at the web server level without DNS redirect. Behavioral analysis distinguishes legitimate crawlers from malicious bots.
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GateKeeper Reverse Proxy
Distributed reverse proxy cluster for hosting providers. Sits in front of all hosted websites, providing transparent security without per-site configuration. Scales with hosting provider infrastructure.
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HTTP/3 QUIC Support
GateKeeper supports HTTP/3 with QUIC protocol, providing better performance on high-latency and lossy connections. Automatic protocol negotiation for browsers that support it.
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Automatic SSL Management
GateKeeper handles TLS 1.3 certificates automatically. SSL certificates are provisioned and renewed without manual intervention, reducing operational burden for hosting providers managing thousands of domains.
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WAF with OWASP Top 10
Rule-based WAF protecting against SQL injection, XSS, CSRF, and other OWASP Top 10 attack vectors. Rules updated by the Blackwall security team.
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Behavioral Bot Detection
Uses behavioral analysis to classify traffic as human, good bot (search engine crawlers), or malicious bot. Goes beyond simple user-agent checking to analyze request patterns and behavior.
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Rate Limiting
Configurable rate limiting to mitigate brute force attacks, credential stuffing, and application-level DDoS. Can be applied per IP, per endpoint, or globally.
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CDN Caching Layer
GateKeeper includes a caching layer that absorbs traffic spikes and reduces load on origin servers. Static content is served from the proxy layer, improving response times.
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Free Monitoring Mode
Observe bot traffic and threat patterns without blocking anything. Useful for evaluation and traffic profiling. Available for both BotGuard and GateKeeper deployments.
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
Blackwall
- You need: Web hosting providers wanting to bundle bot protection and WAF for their customers. Hosting companies managing large numbers of domains that need automated SSL and transparent security. SMBs wanting bot protection without DNS changes.
- You want to start with a free tier
- You're using: Any web server (Apache, Nginx, LiteSpeed) for BotGuard. Any hosting provider infrastructure for GateKeeper. Compatible with shared hosting, VPS, dedicated servers, and cloud environments.
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 Blackwall?
Blackwall offers a free tier while AWS Web Application Firewall does not, making Blackwall more accessible for budget-conscious startups. Blackwall scores higher for ease of use (3.8/5), 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 Blackwall?
AWS Web Application Firewall has a higher support rating (4.0/5) compared to Blackwall (3.5/5). 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 Blackwall?
Blackwall scores higher for ease of use (3.8/5) 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 Blackwall?
Blackwall offers a free tier while AWS Web Application Firewall requires a paid plan. 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 Blackwall?
AWS Web Application Firewall is AWS's native WAF solution, offering the tightest integration with AWS services like CloudFront, ALB, and API Gateway. Blackwall can also protect AWS workloads but requires additional configuration. Consider whether native AWS integration or cross-cloud portability matters more for your use case.