AWS Web Application Firewall vs CDNetworks Application Shield
AWS Web Application Firewall and CDNetworks Application Shield take different approaches to web application security. Consider your team's expertise and infrastructure preferences when evaluating these options.
AWS Web Application Firewall and CDNetworks Application Shield 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 CDNetworks Application Shield 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.
Cloud-based WAF integrated with CDNetworks' global CDN, offering signature-based threat detection, DDoS protection, and bot management across 1,500+ points of presence worldwide.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | AWS Web Application Firewall | CDNetworks Application Shield |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 4.3/5 | 3.7/5 |
| Free Tier | No | No |
| Pricing Model | Pay-per-use (rules + requests) | Custom pricing, usage-based |
| Ease of Use | 3.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Value for Money | 4.0/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Support | 4.0/5 | 3.8/5 |
| Platforms | AWS CloudFront, ALB, API Gateway, AppSync, Cognito, App Runner, Verified Access | Any web application, cloud-hosted sites, on-premises origins |
| Compliance | SOC 1/2/3, PCI DSS, HIPAA, FedRAMP, ISO 27001 | PCI DSS, ISO 27001, SOC 2 |
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
CDNetworks Application Shield
Model: Custom pricing, usage-based
Application Shield Standard
Custom pricing
Application Shield Advanced
Custom pricing
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.
CDNetworks Application Shield
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Edge-Based WAF
WAF filtering at 1,500+ global edge locations for low-latency protection close to end users.
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DDoS Protection
Multi-layer DDoS mitigation covering network (L3/L4) and application (L7) layer attacks.
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Bot Management
Identify and manage automated traffic including scrapers, credential stuffers, and inventory hoarders.
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API Protection
Secure APIs against abuse, injection attacks, and unauthorized access with dedicated API security rules.
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Virtual Patching
Quickly mitigate known vulnerabilities without modifying application code.
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Real-Time Analytics
Comprehensive dashboards showing attack trends, blocked requests, and traffic patterns.
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
CDNetworks Application Shield
- You need: Businesses with significant Asian traffic, organizations needing combined CDN and WAF, enterprises targeting China market
- You're using: Any web application, cloud-hosted sites, on-premises origins
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 CDNetworks Application Shield?
AWS Web Application Firewall has a higher support rating (4.0/5) compared to CDNetworks Application Shield (3.8/5). 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 CDNetworks Application Shield?
CDNetworks Application Shield 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 CDNetworks Application Shield?
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 CDNetworks Application Shield?
AWS Web Application Firewall is AWS's native WAF solution, offering the tightest integration with AWS services like CloudFront, ALB, and API Gateway. CDNetworks Application Shield 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 CDNetworks Application Shield?
CDNetworks Application Shield is positioned for enterprise use cases, while AWS Web Application Firewall may be more suited for small to mid-market organizations. Both offer compliance certifications important for enterprise. Enterprise buyers should evaluate SLAs, support options, and integration capabilities.