CDNetworks Application Shield vs Imperva Web Application Firewall
Both CDNetworks Application Shield and Imperva Web Application Firewall are capable WAF solutions. The right choice depends on your specific infrastructure, budget, and feature requirements.
Overview
CDNetworks Application Shield and Imperva Web Application Firewall 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.
Enterprise-grade cloud WAF with industry-leading threat research, offering comprehensive application security with advanced bot protection and API security.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | CDNetworks Application Shield | Imperva Web Application Firewall |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 3.7/5 | 4.4/5 |
| Free Tier | No | No |
| Pricing Model | Custom pricing, usage-based | Custom enterprise pricing |
| Ease of Use | 3.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Value for Money | 3.5/5 | 3.7/5 |
| Support | 3.8/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Platforms | Any web application, cloud-hosted sites, on-premises origins | Any web application, AWS, Azure, GCP, Kubernetes, on-premise |
| Compliance | PCI DSS, ISO 27001, SOC 2 | SOC 2, PCI DSS, HIPAA, ISO 27001, ISO 27017, ISO 27018 |
Pricing Comparison
CDNetworks Application Shield
Model: Custom pricing, usage-based
Application Shield Standard
Custom pricing
Application Shield Advanced
Custom pricing
Imperva Web Application Firewall
Model: Custom enterprise pricing
Pro
Starting ~$59/month
Business
Starting ~$299/month
Enterprise
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.
Imperva Web Application Firewall
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Advanced Bot Protection
Machine learning-powered bot detection that distinguishes between legitimate users, good bots, and malicious automation.
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API Security
Discover, classify, and protect APIs with schema validation, anomaly detection, and positive security model.
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Account Takeover Protection
Detect and prevent credential stuffing and account takeover attacks using behavioral analysis.
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Client-Side Protection
Monitor and protect against client-side attacks like Magecart, formjacking, and supply chain compromises.
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Attack Analytics
AI-powered analysis of security events to identify attack campaigns and reduce alert fatigue.
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Virtual Patching
Immediate protection against known vulnerabilities while you work on permanent fixes.
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
Imperva Web Application Firewall
- You need: Large enterprises, organizations with sophisticated security requirements, companies needing advanced bot management, regulated industries
- You're using: Any web application, AWS, Azure, GCP, Kubernetes, on-premise
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 Imperva Web Application Firewall?
Imperva Web Application Firewall 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 Imperva Web Application Firewall?
Imperva Web Application Firewall 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 Imperva Web Application Firewall?
Neither provider offers a completely free tier. Imperva Web Application Firewall scores higher for value (3.7/5). Total cost depends on your traffic volume, required features, and support level needs.
Which works better with AWS: CDNetworks Application Shield or Imperva Web Application Firewall?
Imperva Web Application Firewall 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 Imperva Web Application Firewall?
Both CDNetworks Application Shield and Imperva Web Application Firewall are well-suited for enterprise deployments. Both offer compliance certifications important for enterprise. Enterprise buyers should evaluate SLAs, support options, and integration capabilities.