AWS Web Application Firewall vs ThreatX by A10 Networks
Both AWS Web Application Firewall and ThreatX by A10 Networks are capable WAF solutions. The right choice depends on your specific infrastructure, budget, and feature requirements.
Overview
AWS Web Application Firewall and ThreatX by A10 Networks 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 WAF with pay-per-use pricing starting at $5/mo per Web ACL, $1/rule, and $0.60 per million requests. Protects CloudFront, ALB, and API Gateway workloads.
Managed WAAP that combines a next-gen WAF, API protection, bot defense, and Layer 7 DDoS mitigation with behavioral risk scoring and a 24/7 SOC included in the subscription.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | AWS Web Application Firewall | ThreatX by A10 Networks |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 4.3/5 | 4.2/5 |
| Free Tier | No | No |
| Pricing Model | Pay-per-use (rules + requests) | Subscription tiered by monthly HTTP/HTTPS request volume, managed SOC included |
| Ease of Use | 3.5/5 | 4.4/5 |
| Value for Money | 4.0/5 | 3.9/5 |
| Support | 4.0/5 | 4.6/5 |
| Platforms | AWS CloudFront, ALB, API Gateway, AppSync, Cognito, App Runner, Verified Access | AWS, Azure, GCP, Docker, on-premises data centers, virtual private cloud, hybrid environments |
| Compliance | SOC 1/2/3, PCI DSS, HIPAA, FedRAMP, ISO 27001 | SOC 2 Type 2 (Security and Availability), supports PCI DSS Requirement 6.6, 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
ThreatX by A10 Networks
Model: Subscription tiered by monthly HTTP/HTTPS request volume, managed SOC included
ThreatX Protect
Custom quote
Enterprise
Contact Sales
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.
ThreatX by A10 Networks
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Hacker Mind Risk Engine
Adaptive risk scoring that tracks entities across sessions and attack vectors, correlating probing behavior over time instead of judging requests one at a time.
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Managed SOC
24/7 analysts included in the subscription who tune policies, hunt threats, apply virtual patches, and hand-validate alerts before they reach your team.
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API Protection
Automatic API cataloging with behavioral analysis and fingerprinting to catch abuse, enumeration, and business logic attacks against north-south API traffic.
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Bot Management
Blocks credential stuffing, scraping, and scalping by profiling the attacker rather than matching a static bot signature list.
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Layer 7 DDoS Defense
Entity and transaction based tracking that absorbs multi-vector application-layer floods without blanket rate limits on real users.
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Sensitive Data Redaction
Automatic redaction of credentials, tokens, card numbers, and SSN patterns in captured traffic, with a 90-day retention policy.
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
ThreatX by A10 Networks
- You need: Mid-market and enterprise teams without a dedicated appsec function, API-heavy applications, organizations that want managed detection rather than another dashboard to tune
- You're using: AWS, Azure, GCP, Docker, on-premises data centers, virtual private cloud, hybrid 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 has better support: AWS Web Application Firewall or ThreatX by A10 Networks?
ThreatX by A10 Networks has a higher support rating (4.6/5) 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 ThreatX by A10 Networks?
ThreatX by A10 Networks scores higher for ease of use (4.4/5) 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 ThreatX by A10 Networks?
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 ThreatX by A10 Networks?
AWS Web Application Firewall is AWS's native WAF solution, offering the tightest integration with AWS services like CloudFront, ALB, and API Gateway. ThreatX by A10 Networks 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 ThreatX by A10 Networks?
ThreatX by A10 Networks 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.