AWS Web Application Firewall vs Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences)
Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences) wins this comparison, particularly for Modern DevOps teams, API-heavy applications, organizations frustrated with false positives, companies needing flexible deployment options. That said, AWS Web Application Firewall remains a solid choice for AWS-native applications, organizations already invested in AWS ecosystem, variable traffic workloads, multi-account AWS environments.
Overview
AWS Web Application Firewall and Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences) 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.
Developer-friendly WAF using proprietary SmartParse technology, offering low false positives and seamless DevOps integration for modern application security.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | AWS Web Application Firewall | Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences) |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 4.3/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Free Tier | No | No |
| Pricing Model | Pay-per-use (rules + requests) | Custom pricing based on requests and features |
| Ease of Use | 3.5/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Value for Money | 4.0/5 | 3.8/5 |
| Support | 4.0/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Platforms | AWS CloudFront, ALB, API Gateway, AppSync, Cognito, App Runner, Verified Access | Any web application, AWS, GCP, Azure, Kubernetes, Docker, Serverless, Nginx, Apache |
| Compliance | SOC 1/2/3, PCI DSS, HIPAA, FedRAMP, ISO 27001 | SOC 2 Type II, PCI DSS, ISO 27001, HIPAA, GDPR |
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
Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences)
Model: Custom pricing based on requests and features
Essential
Custom pricing
Professional
Custom pricing
Premier
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.
Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences)
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SmartParse Technology
Intelligent parsing technology that understands application context to reduce false positives by 90%+.
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Power Rules
Flexible rule language for creating custom detection and response logic based on any request attribute.
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API Discovery
Automatic discovery and cataloging of API endpoints with security assessment.
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DevOps Integration
Native integrations with CI/CD tools, infrastructure as code support, and developer-friendly APIs.
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Multi-Environment Deployment
Deploy as cloud service, agent, or edge module across diverse infrastructure.
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Real-Time Dashboards
Live visibility into attacks, decisions, and application health without sampling.
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
Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences)
- You need: Modern DevOps teams, API-heavy applications, organizations frustrated with false positives, companies needing flexible deployment options
- You're using: Any web application, AWS, GCP, Azure, Kubernetes, Docker, Serverless, Nginx, Apache
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 Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences)?
Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences) has a higher support rating (4.5/5) 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 Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences)?
Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences) scores higher for ease of use (4.0/5) 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 Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences)?
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 Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences)?
AWS Web Application Firewall is AWS's native WAF solution, offering the tightest integration with AWS services like CloudFront, ALB, and API Gateway. Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences) can also protect AWS workloads but requires additional configuration. Consider whether native AWS integration or cross-cloud portability matters more for your use case.