Azure Web Application Firewall vs Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security)
Azure Web Application Firewall and Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) take different approaches to web application security. Consider your team's expertise and infrastructure preferences when evaluating these options.
Azure Web Application Firewall and Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) 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 Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) 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.
Comprehensive WordPress security plugin with Patchstack-powered firewall rules, virtual patching, two-factor authentication, and site scanning for proactive protection.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Azure Web Application Firewall | Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 4.2/5 | 4.1/5 |
| Free Tier | No | Yes |
| Pricing Model | Pay-per-use (gateway hours + data processed) | Freemium (Free tier + annual Pro license) |
| Ease of Use | 3.5/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Value for Money | 3.8/5 | 4.2/5 |
| Support | 4.2/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Open Source | No | Yes |
| Platforms | Azure Application Gateway, Azure Front Door, Azure CDN, Azure Spring Apps | WordPress (self-hosted) |
| Compliance | SOC 1/2/3, PCI DSS, HIPAA, FedRAMP High, ISO 27001, ISO 27018 | Contact vendor |
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
Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security)
Model: Freemium (Free tier + annual Pro license)
Free Tier AvailableFree
$0
Pro (1 site)
$99/year (~$8.25/month)
Pro (multi-site)
From $199/year
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.
Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security)
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Patchstack Firewall
Virtual patching rules powered by Patchstack that protect against known plugin and theme vulnerabilities automatically.
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Two-Factor Authentication
Multiple 2FA methods including authenticator apps, email codes, and backup codes for all user roles.
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Passwordless Login
Login via passkeys and biometrics, eliminating password-based attacks entirely (Pro feature).
-
Site Scanner
Checks for known malware, vulnerabilities in plugins and themes, and blocklist status.
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File Change Detection
Monitors WordPress core files and alerts when unexpected changes are detected.
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Security Dashboard
Unified dashboard showing security status, recent events, and actionable recommendations.
-
Trusted Devices
Recognizes trusted devices and restricts admin access from unknown devices (Pro feature).
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
Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security)
- You need: WordPress agencies managing multiple sites, users wanting modern authentication features like passkeys, sites needing automatic virtual patching for plugin vulnerabilities
- You want to start with a free tier
- You prefer open-source solutions
- You're using: WordPress (self-hosted)
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: Azure Web Application Firewall or Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security)?
Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) offers a free tier while Azure Web Application Firewall does not, making Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) more accessible for budget-conscious startups. Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) scores higher for ease of use (4.3/5), which is valuable for smaller teams. Consider your immediate security needs and growth plans when choosing.
Which has better support: Azure Web Application Firewall or Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security)?
Azure Web Application Firewall has a higher support rating (4.2/5) compared to Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) (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: Azure Web Application Firewall or Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security)?
Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) scores higher for ease of use (4.3/5) 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 Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security)?
Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) offers a free tier while Azure Web Application Firewall requires a paid plan. Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) scores higher for value (4.2/5). Total cost depends on your traffic volume, required features, and support level needs.
Which is better for WordPress: Azure Web Application Firewall or Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security)?
Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) explicitly supports WordPress while Azure Web Application Firewall takes a more platform-agnostic approach. For WordPress-specific threats like plugin vulnerabilities and brute force attacks, look for providers with WordPress-specific rule sets.