Blackwall vs LiteSpeed Web Server WAF

Both Blackwall and LiteSpeed Web Server WAF are capable WAF solutions. The right choice depends on your specific infrastructure, budget, and feature requirements.

View Blackwall Review View LiteSpeed Web Server WAF Review

Overview

Blackwall and LiteSpeed Web Server WAF are both popular web application firewall solutions. This comparison will help you understand the key differences and choose the right one for your needs.

Bot protection and WAF platform formerly known as BotGuard. Two products, BotGuard (website protection for SMBs) and GateKeeper (distributed reverse proxy with WAF for hosting providers). B2B2C model targeting hosting providers who bundle security for their customers. Free monitoring mode available. CloudFest Diamond sponsor.

Built-in WAF module for LiteSpeed Web Server providing ModSecurity-compatible protection with high performance and low resource usage.

Quick Comparison

Feature Blackwall LiteSpeed Web Server WAF
Overall Rating 3.4/5 3.8/5
Free Tier Yes Yes
Pricing Model Custom (contact sales) Per-server license
Ease of Use 3.8/5 4.0/5
Value for Money 3.2/5 4.5/5
Support 3.5/5 3.5/5
Platforms Any web server (Apache, Nginx, LiteSpeed) for BotGuard. Any hosting provider infrastructure for GateKeeper. Compatible with shared hosting, VPS, dedicated servers, and cloud environments. Linux servers
Compliance GDPR compliant PCI DSS (with proper configuration)

Pricing Comparison

Blackwall

Model: Custom (contact sales)

Free Tier Available

BotGuard (Free Monitoring)

Free

BotGuard (Active Protection)

Custom

GateKeeper (Hosting Providers)

Custom

View full pricing →

LiteSpeed Web Server WAF

Model: Per-server license

Free Tier Available

OpenLiteSpeed

Free

LiteSpeed Enterprise

From $0 (1-worker) to $92/month

View full pricing →

Features Comparison

Blackwall

  • BotGuard Web Protection

    Cloud-based bot detection and mitigation for individual websites. Integrates at the web server level without DNS redirect. Behavioral analysis distinguishes legitimate crawlers from malicious bots.

  • GateKeeper Reverse Proxy

    Distributed reverse proxy cluster for hosting providers. Sits in front of all hosted websites, providing transparent security without per-site configuration. Scales with hosting provider infrastructure.

  • HTTP/3 QUIC Support

    GateKeeper supports HTTP/3 with QUIC protocol, providing better performance on high-latency and lossy connections. Automatic protocol negotiation for browsers that support it.

  • Automatic SSL Management

    GateKeeper handles TLS 1.3 certificates automatically. SSL certificates are provisioned and renewed without manual intervention, reducing operational burden for hosting providers managing thousands of domains.

  • WAF with OWASP Top 10

    Rule-based WAF protecting against SQL injection, XSS, CSRF, and other OWASP Top 10 attack vectors. Rules updated by the Blackwall security team.

  • Behavioral Bot Detection

    Uses behavioral analysis to classify traffic as human, good bot (search engine crawlers), or malicious bot. Goes beyond simple user-agent checking to analyze request patterns and behavior.

  • Rate Limiting

    Configurable rate limiting to mitigate brute force attacks, credential stuffing, and application-level DDoS. Can be applied per IP, per endpoint, or globally.

  • CDN Caching Layer

    GateKeeper includes a caching layer that absorbs traffic spikes and reduces load on origin servers. Static content is served from the proxy layer, improving response times.

  • Free Monitoring Mode

    Observe bot traffic and threat patterns without blocking anything. Useful for evaluation and traffic profiling. Available for both BotGuard and GateKeeper deployments.

LiteSpeed Web Server WAF

  • ModSecurity Compatibility

    Supports ModSecurity rules with significantly better performance than Apache mod_security.

  • Built-In WAF

    WAF integrated directly into the web server for minimal overhead.

  • OWASP CRS Support

    Compatible with the OWASP Core Rule Set; CRS must be enabled and the rule set installed, it is not active by default.

Which One Is Right for You?

The best WAF depends on your specific requirements, infrastructure, and team expertise.

Blackwall

  • You need: Web hosting providers wanting to bundle bot protection and WAF for their customers. Hosting companies managing large numbers of domains that need automated SSL and transparent security. SMBs wanting bot protection without DNS changes.
  • You want to start with a free tier
  • You're using: Any web server (Apache, Nginx, LiteSpeed) for BotGuard. Any hosting provider infrastructure for GateKeeper. Compatible with shared hosting, VPS, dedicated servers, and cloud environments.
Learn more →

LiteSpeed Web Server WAF

  • You need: Hosting providers, WordPress sites on LiteSpeed, organizations wanting server-level WAF
  • You want to start with a free tier
  • You're using: Linux servers
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: Blackwall or LiteSpeed Web Server WAF?

Both Blackwall and LiteSpeed Web Server WAF offer free tiers, making them accessible for startups. LiteSpeed Web Server WAF 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: Blackwall or LiteSpeed Web Server WAF?

LiteSpeed Web Server WAF has a higher support rating (3.5/5) compared to Blackwall (3.5/5). 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: Blackwall or LiteSpeed Web Server WAF?

LiteSpeed Web Server WAF scores higher for ease of use (4.0/5) versus Blackwall (3.8/5). The actual implementation effort depends on your existing infrastructure and team expertise.

Which is more cost-effective: Blackwall or LiteSpeed Web Server WAF?

Both providers offer free tiers, making it easy to start without commitment. LiteSpeed Web Server WAF scores higher for value (4.5/5). Total cost depends on your traffic volume, required features, and support level needs.