CDNetworks Application Shield vs Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences)
Both CDNetworks Application Shield and Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences) are capable WAF solutions. The right choice depends on your specific infrastructure, budget, and feature requirements.
Overview
CDNetworks Application Shield and Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences) are both popular web application firewall solutions. This comparison will help you understand the key differences and choose the right one for your needs.
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.
Developer-friendly WAF using proprietary SmartParse technology, offering low false positives and seamless DevOps integration for modern application security.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | CDNetworks Application Shield | Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences) |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 3.7/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Free Tier | No | No |
| Pricing Model | Custom pricing, usage-based | Custom pricing based on requests and features |
| Ease of Use | 3.5/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Value for Money | 3.5/5 | 3.8/5 |
| Support | 3.8/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Platforms | Any web application, cloud-hosted sites, on-premises origins | Any web application, AWS, GCP, Azure, Kubernetes, Docker, Serverless, Nginx, Apache |
| Compliance | PCI DSS, ISO 27001, SOC 2 | SOC 2 Type II, PCI DSS, ISO 27001, HIPAA, GDPR |
Pricing Comparison
CDNetworks Application Shield
Model: Custom pricing, usage-based
Application Shield Standard
Custom pricing
Application Shield Advanced
Custom pricing
Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences)
Model: Custom pricing based on requests and features
Essential
Custom pricing
Professional
Custom pricing
Premier
Custom pricing
Features Comparison
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.
Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences)
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SmartParse Technology
Intelligent parsing technology that understands application context to reduce false positives by 90%+.
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Power Rules
Flexible rule language for creating custom detection and response logic based on any request attribute.
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API Discovery
Automatic discovery and cataloging of API endpoints with security assessment.
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DevOps Integration
Native integrations with CI/CD tools, infrastructure as code support, and developer-friendly APIs.
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Multi-Environment Deployment
Deploy as cloud service, agent, or edge module across diverse infrastructure.
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Real-Time Dashboards
Live visibility into attacks, decisions, and application health without sampling.
Which One Is Right for You?
The best WAF depends on your specific requirements, infrastructure, and team expertise.
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
Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences)
- You need: Modern DevOps teams, API-heavy applications, organizations frustrated with false positives, companies needing flexible deployment options
- You're using: Any web application, AWS, GCP, Azure, Kubernetes, Docker, Serverless, Nginx, Apache
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: CDNetworks Application Shield or Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences)?
Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences) has a higher support rating (4.5/5) 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: CDNetworks Application Shield or Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences)?
Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences) scores higher for ease of use (4.0/5) versus CDNetworks Application Shield (3.5/5). The actual implementation effort depends on your existing infrastructure and team expertise.
Which is more cost-effective: CDNetworks Application Shield or Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences)?
Neither provider offers a completely free tier. Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences) scores higher for value (3.8/5). Total cost depends on your traffic volume, required features, and support level needs.
Which works better with AWS: CDNetworks Application Shield or Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences)?
Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences) explicitly supports AWS while CDNetworks Application Shield's AWS integration may vary. Consider whether native AWS integration or cross-cloud portability matters more for your use case.
Which is better for enterprise: CDNetworks Application Shield or Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences)?
CDNetworks Application Shield is positioned for enterprise use cases, while Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences) may be more suited for small to mid-market organizations. Both offer compliance certifications important for enterprise. Enterprise buyers should evaluate SLAs, support options, and integration capabilities.