BulletProof Security vs Kong Gateway WAF
Both BulletProof Security and Kong Gateway WAF are capable WAF solutions. The right choice depends on your specific infrastructure, budget, and feature requirements.
Overview
BulletProof Security and Kong Gateway 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.
WordPress security plugin featuring .htaccess-based firewall protection, one-click setup wizard, login security, database backups, and a lifetime Pro license for unlimited sites.
API gateway with built-in WAF plugin for enterprise customers. Kong is the most popular open source API gateway (35K+ GitHub stars, 312M+ downloads) built on NGINX, processing 400B+ API calls daily. The WAF plugin is an Enterprise-only add-on that protects API endpoints at the gateway layer.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | BulletProof Security | Kong Gateway WAF |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 3.7/5 | 3.8/5 |
| Free Tier | Yes | No |
| Pricing Model | Free edition + one-time Pro license (lifetime) | Tiered (Plus per-gateway + Enterprise custom) |
| Ease of Use | 3.4/5 | 3.2/5 |
| Value for Money | 4.5/5 | 3.0/5 |
| Support | 3.5/5 | 4.2/5 |
| Platforms | WordPress (self-hosted) | Linux (Ubuntu, RHEL, Debian, Amazon Linux, Alpine), Docker, Kubernetes (via Ingress Controller and Operator), AWS, Azure, GCP, ARM64, macOS (dev) |
| Compliance | Contact vendor | SOC 2 Type II, FIPS 140-2 (Enterprise data planes), supports PCI DSS and HIPAA compliance |
Pricing Comparison
BulletProof Security
Model: Free edition + one-time Pro license (lifetime)
Free Tier AvailableFree
$0
Pro (Lifetime)
$69.95 one-time
Kong Gateway WAF
Model: Tiered (Plus per-gateway + Enterprise custom)
Kong Gateway OSS
Free
Kong Konnect Plus
From $225/mo
Kong Konnect Enterprise
Custom (annual)
Dedicated Cloud Gateway
$500/mo per control plane + $0.15/GB
Features Comparison
BulletProof Security
-
.htaccess Firewall
Server-level request filtering via Apache .htaccess rules blocking SQL injection, XSS, and code injection.
-
Setup Wizard
One-click automated setup that configures .htaccess firewall rules without manual configuration.
-
Login Security
Login monitoring, failed login lockout, and idle session logout to prevent unauthorized access.
-
MScan Malware Scanner
Scans for malware, modified files, and suspicious code with automated quarantine and restore (Pro).
-
Database Backup
Scheduled and manual database backups with email notifications and backup management.
-
Real-Time File Monitoring
Monitors file system changes in real-time and alerts on unauthorized modifications (Pro).
Kong Gateway WAF
-
Gateway-Embedded WAF
WAF runs as a plugin inside the Kong Gateway process, inspecting API traffic at the same layer where routing, authentication, and rate limiting occur. No separate WAF appliance or additional proxy hop needed.
-
OWASP Top 10 Protection
Built-in protection against common web application attacks including SQL injection, cross-site scripting, command injection, and path traversal at the API gateway layer.
-
Plugin Ecosystem
Over 100 plugins for security, traffic control, authentication, and observability. WAF works alongside bot detection, IP restriction, CORS, ACL, and rate limiting plugins in a configurable execution chain.
-
Third-Party WAF Integrations
Open plugin architecture supports third-party WAF engines including open-appsec (ML-driven detection) and Wallarm (API security). Teams can choose the WAF engine that fits their threat model.
-
Kubernetes-Native Deployment
Kong Ingress Controller and Kong Kubernetes Operator provide native Kubernetes integration. WAF policies can be managed declaratively through Kubernetes CRDs alongside gateway configuration.
-
Hybrid Mode
Cloud-managed control plane with self-hosted data planes. WAF policies are centrally managed and distributed to data planes running in any environment, including air-gapped networks.
-
AI Gateway
Dedicated AI gateway capabilities including LLM proxy, token-based rate limiting, semantic caching, PII sanitization, prompt guardrails, and MCP server proxy. WAF protects AI endpoints alongside traditional APIs.
-
Declarative Configuration
Gateway and WAF configuration can be managed as code through declarative YAML/JSON, enabling GitOps workflows and CI/CD pipeline integration for security policy changes.
-
Advanced Rate Limiting
Enterprise-grade rate limiting with sliding window counters, consumer groups, and cluster-wide synchronization. Works in conjunction with WAF to prevent both application-layer attacks and abuse.
Which One Is Right for You?
The best WAF depends on your specific requirements, infrastructure, and team expertise.
BulletProof Security
- You need: WordPress agencies needing affordable security for many sites, Apache-hosted WordPress sites, budget-conscious users wanting lifetime licensing
- You want to start with a free tier
- You're using: WordPress (self-hosted)
Kong Gateway WAF
- You need: Organizations already using Kong as their API gateway, Kubernetes-native architectures needing gateway-level WAF, teams wanting unified API management and security in one platform, enterprises with microservices architectures routing all traffic through an API gateway
- You're using: Linux (Ubuntu, RHEL, Debian, Amazon Linux, Alpine), Docker, Kubernetes (via Ingress Controller and Operator), AWS, Azure, GCP, ARM64, macOS (dev)
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: BulletProof Security or Kong Gateway WAF?
BulletProof Security offers a free tier while Kong Gateway WAF does not, which may be important for early-stage startups. BulletProof Security scores higher for ease of use (3.4/5), which is valuable for smaller teams. Consider your immediate security needs and growth plans when choosing.
Which has better support: BulletProof Security or Kong Gateway WAF?
Kong Gateway WAF has a higher support rating (4.2/5) compared to BulletProof Security (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: BulletProof Security or Kong Gateway WAF?
BulletProof Security scores higher for ease of use (3.4/5) versus Kong Gateway WAF (3.2/5). The actual implementation effort depends on your existing infrastructure and team expertise.
Which is more cost-effective: BulletProof Security or Kong Gateway WAF?
BulletProof Security offers a free tier while Kong Gateway WAF requires a paid plan. BulletProof Security scores higher for value (4.5/5). Total cost depends on your traffic volume, required features, and support level needs.
Which works better with AWS: BulletProof Security or Kong Gateway WAF?
Kong Gateway WAF explicitly supports AWS while BulletProof Security's AWS integration may vary. Consider whether native AWS integration or cross-cloud portability matters more for your use case.