AWS Web Application Firewall vs Google Cloud Armor
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, Google Cloud Armor may be better suited if GCP-native applications, organizations using Google Cloud, applications needing reCAPTCHA integration, multi-cloud with GCP component.
Overview
AWS Web Application Firewall and Google Cloud Armor 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.
Google Cloud's edge security service combining WAF, DDoS protection, and adaptive protection with the scale and intelligence of Google's global network.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | AWS Web Application Firewall | Google Cloud Armor |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 4.3/5 | 4.2/5 |
| Free Tier | No | No |
| Pricing Model | Pay-per-use (rules + requests) | Pay-per-use (policies + rules + requests) |
| Ease of Use | 3.5/5 | 3.8/5 |
| Value for Money | 4.0/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Support | 4.0/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Platforms | AWS CloudFront, ALB, API Gateway, AppSync, Cognito, App Runner, Verified Access | Google Cloud Load Balancer (HTTP/S, TCP/SSL Proxy), Cloud CDN, Cloud Run, GKE |
| Compliance | SOC 1/2/3, PCI DSS, HIPAA, FedRAMP, ISO 27001 | SOC 1/2/3, PCI DSS, ISO 27001, ISO 27017, ISO 27018, FedRAMP, HIPAA |
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
Google Cloud Armor
Model: Pay-per-use (policies + rules + requests)
Standard (Small)
~$20/mo + $0.75/M requests
Standard (Medium)
~$55/mo + $0.75/M requests
Plus (Managed Protection)
$3,000/month
Enterprise
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.
Google Cloud Armor
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Pre-configured WAF Rules
Ready-to-use rule sets for OWASP Top 10, SQLi, XSS, and other common attacks.
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Adaptive Protection
ML-powered automatic detection and mitigation of sophisticated L7 DDoS attacks.
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Bot Management
Integration with reCAPTCHA Enterprise for advanced bot detection and challenge pages.
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Rate Limiting
Flexible rate limiting based on IP, headers, or other request attributes.
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Geo-Based Access Control
Allow or deny traffic based on geographic location of the request origin.
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Named IP Lists
Block known malicious IPs using Google's threat intelligence or custom lists.
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
Google Cloud Armor
- You need: GCP-native applications, organizations using Google Cloud, applications needing reCAPTCHA integration, multi-cloud with GCP component
- You're using: Google Cloud Load Balancer (HTTP/S, TCP/SSL Proxy), Cloud CDN, Cloud Run, GKE
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 Google Cloud Armor?
Google Cloud Armor has a higher support rating (4.0/5) 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 Google Cloud Armor?
Google Cloud Armor 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 Google Cloud Armor?
Neither provider offers a completely free tier. Total cost depends on your traffic volume, required features, and support level needs.
Which works better with AWS: AWS Web Application Firewall or Google Cloud Armor?
AWS Web Application Firewall is AWS's native WAF solution, offering the tightest integration with AWS services like CloudFront, ALB, and API Gateway. Google Cloud Armor can also protect AWS workloads but requires additional configuration. Consider whether native AWS integration or cross-cloud portability matters more for your use case.