AWS Web Application Firewall vs Wallarm API Security Platform

Both AWS Web Application Firewall and Wallarm API Security Platform are capable WAF solutions. The right choice depends on your specific infrastructure, budget, and feature requirements.

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Overview

AWS Web Application Firewall and Wallarm API Security Platform 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.

API-first security platform combining cloud-native WAF, automated security testing, and advanced API abuse detection with real-time blocking capabilities.

Quick Comparison

Feature	AWS Web Application Firewall	Wallarm API Security Platform
Overall Rating	4.3/5	4.3/5
Free Tier	No	Yes
Pricing Model	Pay-per-use (rules + requests)	Subscription based on requests
Ease of Use	3.5/5	4.0/5
Value for Money	4.0/5	4.2/5
Support	4.0/5	4.1/5
Platforms	AWS CloudFront, ALB, API Gateway, AppSync, Cognito, App Runner, Verified Access	AWS, GCP, Azure, Kubernetes, Docker, eBPF, any cloud environment
Compliance	SOC 1/2/3, PCI DSS, HIPAA, FedRAMP, ISO 27001	SOC 2, GDPR, 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

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Wallarm API Security Platform

Model: Subscription based on requests

Free Tier Available

Free Tier

$0/month

Pro

Starting $833/month

Enterprise

Custom pricing

View full pricing →

Features Comparison

AWS Web Application Firewall

AWS Managed Rules
Pre-configured rule groups maintained by AWS and AWS Marketplace sellers for common threats.
Custom Rules
Build your own rules using conditions like IP addresses, HTTP headers, URI strings, and more.
Rate-Based Rules
Automatically block IPs that exceed defined request thresholds.
Bot Control
Managed rule group for detecting and managing bot traffic (additional cost).
Fraud Control
Account takeover prevention and creation fraud detection for login/signup pages.
Firewall Manager Integration
Centrally configure and manage WAF rules across multiple AWS accounts.

Wallarm API Security Platform

API Discovery
Automatically discover and inventory all APIs with visibility into sensitive data flows and business-critical endpoints.
API Abuse Prevention
Patented AI/ML detection for sophisticated API abuse, credential stuffing, and account takeover attacks.
Cloud-Native WAAP
Web application and API protection deployable across any environment with single-day implementation.
Security Testing
Integrated DAST and automated fuzzing to proactively identify vulnerabilities in APIs and applications.
API Attack Surface Management
Agentless discovery of external API hosts, missing WAF coverage, vulnerabilities, and API leaks.
Agentic AI Protection
Specialized protection for AI-powered applications and agentic AI systems.

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

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Wallarm API Security Platform

You need: API-heavy applications, microservices architectures, DevSecOps teams, organizations wanting integrated security testing
You want to start with a free tier
You're using: AWS, GCP, Azure, Kubernetes, Docker, eBPF, any cloud environment

Learn more →

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 is better for startups: AWS Web Application Firewall or Wallarm API Security Platform?

Wallarm API Security Platform offers a free tier while AWS Web Application Firewall does not, making Wallarm API Security Platform more accessible for budget-conscious startups. Wallarm API Security Platform scores higher for ease of use (4.0/5), which is valuable for smaller teams. Consider your immediate security needs and growth plans when choosing.

Which has better support: AWS Web Application Firewall or Wallarm API Security Platform?

Wallarm API Security Platform 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 Wallarm API Security Platform?

Wallarm API Security Platform 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 Wallarm API Security Platform?

Wallarm API Security Platform offers a free tier while AWS Web Application Firewall requires a paid plan. Wallarm API Security Platform scores higher for value (4.2/5). Total cost depends on your traffic volume, required features, and support level needs.

Which works better with AWS: AWS Web Application Firewall or Wallarm API Security Platform?

AWS Web Application Firewall is AWS's native WAF solution, offering the tightest integration with AWS services like CloudFront, ALB, and API Gateway. Wallarm API Security Platform can also protect AWS workloads but requires additional configuration. Consider whether native AWS integration or cross-cloud portability matters more for your use case.