BBQ Firewall vs HUMAN Security
Both BBQ Firewall and HUMAN Security are capable WAF solutions. The right choice depends on your specific infrastructure, budget, and feature requirements.
Overview
BBQ Firewall and HUMAN 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.
The lightest WordPress firewall plugin. Under 10KB, zero configuration, based on Jeff Starr's battle-tested 7G/8G ruleset. 100,000+ active installs. Free version covers most sites. Pro adds customizable rules and statistics.
Advanced bot management and fraud prevention platform combining technologies from HUMAN (formerly White Ops) and PerimeterX.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | BBQ Firewall | HUMAN Security |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 4.0/5 | 4.2/5 |
| Free Tier | Yes | No |
| Pricing Model | Freemium (Free tier + paid licenses with lifetime option) | Custom enterprise pricing |
| Ease of Use | 5.0/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Value for Money | 4.6/5 | 3.3/5 |
| Support | 3.7/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Platforms | WordPress (self-hosted) | Any web application, mobile apps, APIs |
| Compliance | Contact vendor | SOC 2, ISO 27001, TAG Certified Against Fraud |
Pricing Comparison
BBQ Firewall
Model: Freemium (Free tier + paid licenses with lifetime option)
Free Tier AvailableFree
$0
Pro (1 site, yearly)
$30/year
Pro (1 site, lifetime)
$50 one-time
Pro (3 sites, lifetime)
$100 one-time
Pro (10 sites, lifetime)
$200 one-time
Pro (300 sites, lifetime)
$440 one-time
Features Comparison
BBQ Firewall
-
7G/8G Request Filtering
Regex-based pattern matching against incoming URIs, query strings, user agents, and referrers. Based on over a decade of refinement by Jeff Starr.
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SQL Injection Protection
Blocks common SQL injection patterns including UNION, SELECT, eval(), and base64-encoded payloads.
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Directory Traversal Protection
Catches path traversal attempts, null byte injection, and requests for sensitive system files.
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Bad Bot Blocking
Filters known malicious user agents and referrer spam patterns.
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Request Method Scanning
Checks all HTTP methods (GET, POST, PUT, DELETE, etc.) against firewall rules.
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Customizable Patterns
Add, edit, or remove firewall patterns to fine-tune protection for your specific site (Pro feature).
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Block Statistics
Visual bar graphs showing hit counts per pattern to measure firewall effectiveness (Pro feature).
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Email Alerts
Receive notifications when requests are blocked (Pro feature).
HUMAN Security
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Behavioral Analysis
Advanced behavioral detection using client-side signals and server-side analysis.
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Human Verification
Proprietary technology to verify whether interactions are from humans or bots.
-
Account Protection
Prevent account takeover, credential stuffing, and fake account creation.
Which One Is Right for You?
The best WAF depends on your specific requirements, infrastructure, and team expertise.
BBQ Firewall
- You need: WordPress site owners wanting the absolute lightest firewall with zero overhead. Sites where every millisecond of performance matters. Developers who want a clean, focused security tool without bloat. Agencies managing hundreds of sites on a budget with the lifetime license.
- You want to start with a free tier
- You're using: WordPress (self-hosted)
HUMAN Security
- You need: Large enterprises facing sophisticated bot threats, ad-tech companies, e-commerce platforms
- You're using: Any web application, mobile apps, APIs
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: BBQ Firewall or HUMAN Security?
BBQ Firewall offers a free tier while HUMAN Security does not, which may be important for early-stage startups. BBQ Firewall scores higher for ease of use (5.0/5), which is valuable for smaller teams. Consider your immediate security needs and growth plans when choosing.
Which has better support: BBQ Firewall or HUMAN Security?
HUMAN Security has a higher support rating (4.0/5) compared to BBQ Firewall (3.7/5). 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: BBQ Firewall or HUMAN Security?
BBQ Firewall scores higher for ease of use (5.0/5) versus HUMAN Security (3.5/5). The actual implementation effort depends on your existing infrastructure and team expertise.
Which is more cost-effective: BBQ Firewall or HUMAN Security?
BBQ Firewall offers a free tier while HUMAN Security requires a paid plan. BBQ Firewall scores higher for value (4.6/5). Total cost depends on your traffic volume, required features, and support level needs.
Which is better for WordPress: BBQ Firewall or HUMAN Security?
BBQ Firewall explicitly supports WordPress while HUMAN Security 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.