CDNetworks Application Shield vs Fortinet FortiWeb
Both CDNetworks Application Shield and Fortinet FortiWeb are capable WAF solutions. The right choice depends on your specific infrastructure, budget, and feature requirements.
Overview
CDNetworks Application Shield and Fortinet FortiWeb 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.
AI-powered web application firewall from Fortinet providing advanced threat detection, API protection, and bot mitigation for web applications and APIs, available as hardware appliance, VM, or cloud service.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | CDNetworks Application Shield | Fortinet FortiWeb |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 3.7/5 | 4.2/5 |
| Free Tier | No | No |
| Pricing Model | Custom pricing, usage-based | Appliance purchase + subscription, or SaaS subscription |
| Ease of Use | 3.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Value for Money | 3.5/5 | 3.8/5 |
| Support | 3.8/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Platforms | Any web application, cloud-hosted sites, on-premises origins | On-premises, AWS, Azure, GCP, Oracle Cloud, Kubernetes, VMware, Hyper-V, KVM |
| Compliance | PCI DSS, ISO 27001, SOC 2 | PCI DSS, HIPAA, SOC 2, GDPR, FIPS 140-2 |
Pricing Comparison
CDNetworks Application Shield
Model: Custom pricing, usage-based
Application Shield Standard
Custom pricing
Application Shield Advanced
Custom pricing
Fortinet FortiWeb
Model: Appliance purchase + subscription, or SaaS subscription
FortiWeb Appliance
Starting ~$20,000
FortiWeb VM
Custom pricing
FortiWeb Cloud
Custom pricing (SaaS)
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.
Fortinet FortiWeb
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ML-Based Threat Detection
Dual-layer machine learning engine that profiles application behavior and detects anomalies without manual rule tuning.
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API Protection
Automatic API discovery, schema validation, and protection against OWASP API Top 10 threats including parameter tampering and injection attacks.
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Bot Mitigation
Advanced bot detection using ML, browser fingerprinting, and behavioral analysis to distinguish legitimate users from malicious bots.
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Virtual Patching
Automatic virtual patches from FortiGuard Labs to protect against newly discovered vulnerabilities before application code can be updated.
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DDoS Protection
Layer 7 DDoS protection with rate limiting, IP reputation, and geographic blocking to prevent application-layer denial of service attacks.
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Security Fabric Integration
Deep integration with Fortinet Security Fabric for correlated threat intelligence, automated response, and unified security management.
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
Fortinet FortiWeb
- You need: Mid-to-large enterprises, organizations using Fortinet Security Fabric, hybrid cloud deployments, regulated industries needing compliance certifications
- You're using: On-premises, AWS, Azure, GCP, Oracle Cloud, Kubernetes, VMware, Hyper-V, KVM
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 Fortinet FortiWeb?
Fortinet FortiWeb has a higher support rating (4.3/5) 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 Fortinet FortiWeb?
Fortinet FortiWeb scores higher for ease of use (3.5/5) 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 Fortinet FortiWeb?
Neither provider offers a completely free tier. Fortinet FortiWeb 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 Fortinet FortiWeb?
Fortinet FortiWeb 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 Fortinet FortiWeb?
Both CDNetworks Application Shield and Fortinet FortiWeb are well-suited for enterprise deployments. Both offer compliance certifications important for enterprise. Enterprise buyers should evaluate SLAs, support options, and integration capabilities.