AWS Web Application Firewall vs Sucuri Website Security
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, Sucuri Website Security may be better suited if WordPress sites, small business websites, CMS-based applications, agencies managing multiple client sites.
Overview
AWS WAF and Sucuri represent the DIY vs managed approach to web security. AWS WAF gives you building blocks: attach rules to your ALB or CloudFront distribution, use managed rule groups or write custom rules. Sucuri gives you a complete package: managed WAF, CDN, DDoS protection, malware monitoring, and hack cleanup, all behind a DNS change.
The cost comparison is nuanced. AWS WAF starts at $5/month for basic protection but grows with rule count and request volume. Sucuri starts at $199/year for a single site with everything included. For a single website, Sucuri is usually simpler and cheaper. For complex AWS architectures with many services, AWS WAF's native integration makes more sense.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | AWS Web Application Firewall | Sucuri Website Security |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 4.3/5 | 4.2/5 |
| Free Tier | No | No |
| Pricing Model | Pay-per-use (rules + requests) | Per site, annual subscription |
| Ease of Use | 3.5/5 | 4.7/5 |
| Value for Money | 4.0/5 | 4.6/5 |
| Support | 4.0/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Platforms | AWS CloudFront, ALB, API Gateway, AppSync, Cognito, App Runner, Verified Access | WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, Magento, any PHP-based CMS, static sites |
| Compliance | SOC 1/2/3, PCI DSS, HIPAA, FedRAMP, ISO 27001 | PCI DSS scanning, SOC 2 (GoDaddy) |
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
Sucuri Website Security
Model: Per site, annual subscription
Basic Firewall
$9.99/month
Pro Firewall
$19.98/month
Basic Platform
$199.99/year (~$17/mo)
Pro Platform
$299.99/year (~$25/mo)
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.
Sucuri Website Security
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Virtual Patching
Protect against known vulnerabilities in CMS platforms and plugins without updating code.
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DDoS Protection
Layer 3, 4, and 7 DDoS mitigation to keep your site online during attacks.
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Malware Scanning
Regular scanning for malware, backdoors, and suspicious code changes.
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Unlimited Malware Removal
Professional malware cleanup service with no per-incident fees on Platform plans.
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Blocklist Monitoring
Monitor Google, Norton, McAfee, and other blocklists; automatic removal assistance.
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Security Hardening
Recommendations and assistance for hardening WordPress and other CMS platforms.
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
Sucuri Website Security
- You need: WordPress sites, small business websites, CMS-based applications, agencies managing multiple client sites
- You're using: WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, Magento, any PHP-based CMS, static sites
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 Sucuri Website Security?
Sucuri Website Security has a higher support rating (4.3/5) 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 Sucuri Website Security?
Sucuri Website Security scores higher for ease of use (4.7/5) versus AWS Web Application Firewall (3.5/5). Sucuri's managed approach simplifies setup for many users. The actual implementation effort depends on your existing infrastructure and team expertise.
Which is more cost-effective: AWS Web Application Firewall or Sucuri Website Security?
Neither provider offers a completely free tier. Sucuri Website Security 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 Sucuri Website Security?
AWS Web Application Firewall is AWS's native WAF solution, offering the tightest integration with AWS services like CloudFront, ALB, and API Gateway. Sucuri Website Security 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 WordPress: AWS Web Application Firewall or Sucuri Website Security?
Sucuri Website Security is particularly well-suited for WordPress with specialized features. For WordPress-specific threats like plugin vulnerabilities and brute force attacks, look for providers with WordPress-specific rule sets.