AWS Web Application Firewall vs UBIKA WAAP
Both AWS Web Application Firewall and UBIKA WAAP are capable WAF solutions. The right choice depends on your specific infrastructure, budget, and feature requirements.
Overview
AWS WAF and UBIKA WAAP (from Rohde & Schwarz Cybersecurity) serve different priorities. AWS WAF is the obvious choice for AWS-native infrastructure: it integrates directly with ALB, CloudFront, and API Gateway. UBIKA is a European WAF provider that emphasizes GDPR compliance and European data sovereignty.
For organizations with European data residency requirements, UBIKA's guarantee that traffic stays within EU borders is a regulatory advantage. AWS WAF can run in EU regions but is still operated by a US company, which matters for some compliance frameworks.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | AWS Web Application Firewall | UBIKA WAAP |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 4.3/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Free Tier | No | No |
| Pricing Model | Pay-per-use (rules + requests) | Subscription / Pay-as-you-go |
| Ease of Use | 3.5/5 | 3.7/5 |
| Value for Money | 4.0/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Support | 4.0/5 | 4.1/5 |
| Platforms | AWS CloudFront, ALB, API Gateway, AppSync, Cognito, App Runner, Verified Access | Any web application, AWS, Azure, on-premises, hybrid cloud |
| Compliance | SOC 1/2/3, PCI DSS, HIPAA, FedRAMP, ISO 27001 | ISO 27001, HDS (Health Data Hosting), SecNumCloud, GDPR, PCI DSS |
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
UBIKA WAAP
Model: Subscription / Pay-as-you-go
Cloud Protector SaaS
Subscription-based
WAAP Cloud
Pay-as-you-go / BYOL
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.
UBIKA WAAP
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EU Data Sovereignty
Hosted in OVHcloud European data centers, not subject to US Cloud Act or other extraterritorial laws.
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Workflow Technology
Unique visual workflow design for security policies allows tailoring protection to specific application requirements.
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API Protection
Advanced API security with JWT/OAuth support, JSON/XML filtering, and OpenAPI schema validation.
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DDoS Protection
Network and application-layer DDoS mitigation with global caching and acceleration.
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DevOps Integration
Infrastructure-as-Code support with REST API and gRPC (Appsecctl) for CI/CD pipeline integration.
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Managed Security Services
Optional MSS with proactive monitoring, false positive management, and monthly security reporting.
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
UBIKA WAAP
- You need: European enterprises, regulated industries (healthcare, finance), organizations requiring EU data residency, French public sector
- You're using: Any web application, AWS, Azure, on-premises, hybrid cloud
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 UBIKA WAAP?
UBIKA WAAP has a higher support rating (4.1/5) 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 UBIKA WAAP?
UBIKA WAAP scores higher for ease of use (3.7/5) 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 UBIKA WAAP?
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 UBIKA WAAP?
AWS Web Application Firewall is AWS's native WAF solution, offering the tightest integration with AWS services like CloudFront, ALB, and API Gateway. UBIKA WAAP 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 UBIKA WAAP?
UBIKA WAAP is positioned for enterprise use cases, while AWS Web Application Firewall may be more suited for small to mid-market organizations. Enterprise buyers should evaluate SLAs, support options, and integration capabilities.