Azure Web Application Firewall vs CDNetworks Application Shield
Azure Web Application Firewall and CDNetworks Application Shield take different approaches to web application security. Consider your team's expertise and infrastructure preferences when evaluating these options.
Azure Web Application Firewall and CDNetworks Application Shield take fundamentally different approaches to web application security. Understanding your infrastructure and team capabilities will help determine which approach fits your needs.
Overview
Azure Web Application Firewall and CDNetworks Application Shield are both popular web application firewall solutions. This comparison will help you understand the key differences and choose the right one for your needs.
Microsoft's cloud-native WAF integrated with Azure Application Gateway and Front Door, offering enterprise-grade protection with deep Azure ecosystem integration.
Cloud-based WAF integrated with CDNetworks' global CDN, offering signature-based threat detection, DDoS protection, and bot management across 1,500+ points of presence worldwide.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Azure Web Application Firewall | CDNetworks Application Shield |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 4.2/5 | 3.7/5 |
| Free Tier | No | No |
| Pricing Model | Pay-per-use (gateway hours + data processed) | Custom pricing, usage-based |
| Ease of Use | 3.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Value for Money | 3.8/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Support | 4.2/5 | 3.8/5 |
| Platforms | Azure Application Gateway, Azure Front Door, Azure CDN, Azure Spring Apps | Any web application, cloud-hosted sites, on-premises origins |
| Compliance | SOC 1/2/3, PCI DSS, HIPAA, FedRAMP High, ISO 27001, ISO 27018 | PCI DSS, ISO 27001, SOC 2 |
Pricing Comparison
Azure Web Application Firewall
Model: Pay-per-use (gateway hours + data processed)
Application Gateway WAF v2
~$0.443/hour + $0.008/GB
Front Door Standard
$35/month base + usage
Front Door Premium
$330/month base + usage
CDNetworks Application Shield
Model: Custom pricing, usage-based
Application Shield Standard
Custom pricing
Application Shield Advanced
Custom pricing
Features Comparison
Azure Web Application Firewall
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OWASP Core Rule Set
Pre-configured protection against OWASP Top 10 vulnerabilities with regularly updated rule sets.
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Custom Rules
Create custom rules based on geo-location, IP address, request attributes, and rate limiting.
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Bot Protection
Managed bot protection ruleset to detect and mitigate malicious bot traffic (Premium tier).
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Per-Site Policies
Apply different WAF policies to different sites behind the same gateway.
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Exclusion Lists
Fine-tune rules by excluding specific request attributes to reduce false positives.
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Geo-Filtering
Allow or block traffic based on country/region of origin.
CDNetworks Application Shield
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Edge-Based WAF
WAF filtering at 1,500+ global edge locations for low-latency protection close to end users.
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DDoS Protection
Multi-layer DDoS mitigation covering network (L3/L4) and application (L7) layer attacks.
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Bot Management
Identify and manage automated traffic including scrapers, credential stuffers, and inventory hoarders.
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API Protection
Secure APIs against abuse, injection attacks, and unauthorized access with dedicated API security rules.
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Virtual Patching
Quickly mitigate known vulnerabilities without modifying application code.
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Real-Time Analytics
Comprehensive dashboards showing attack trends, blocked requests, and traffic patterns.
Which One Is Right for You?
The best WAF depends on your specific requirements, infrastructure, and team expertise.
Azure Web Application Firewall
- You need: Azure-native applications, Microsoft enterprise customers, government and regulated industries, global applications needing edge protection
- You're using: Azure Application Gateway, Azure Front Door, Azure CDN, Azure Spring Apps
CDNetworks Application Shield
- You need: Businesses with significant Asian traffic, organizations needing combined CDN and WAF, enterprises targeting China market
- You're using: Any web application, cloud-hosted sites, on-premises origins
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: Azure Web Application Firewall or CDNetworks Application Shield?
Azure Web Application Firewall has a higher support rating (4.2/5) compared to CDNetworks Application Shield (3.8/5). 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: Azure Web Application Firewall or CDNetworks Application Shield?
CDNetworks Application Shield scores higher for ease of use (3.5/5) versus Azure Web Application Firewall (3.5/5). The actual implementation effort depends on your existing infrastructure and team expertise.
Which is more cost-effective: Azure Web Application Firewall or CDNetworks Application Shield?
Neither provider offers a completely free tier. Azure Web Application Firewall scores higher for value (3.8/5). Total cost depends on your traffic volume, required features, and support level needs.
Which is better for enterprise: Azure Web Application Firewall or CDNetworks Application Shield?
Both Azure Web Application Firewall and CDNetworks Application Shield are well-suited for enterprise deployments. Both offer compliance certifications important for enterprise. Enterprise buyers should evaluate SLAs, support options, and integration capabilities.