CDNetworks Application Shield vs Invicti
Both CDNetworks Application Shield and Invicti are capable WAF solutions. The right choice depends on your specific infrastructure, budget, and feature requirements.
Overview
CDNetworks Application Shield and Invicti 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.
Application security testing platform offering DAST and IAST scanning. Formerly Netsparker. Products include Invicti (enterprise DAST) and Acunetix (SMB DAST). Not a WAF, but a vulnerability scanner that finds the vulnerabilities WAFs protect against. OWASP Gold sponsor. Proof-based scanning reduces false positives. Custom enterprise pricing.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | CDNetworks Application Shield | Invicti |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 3.7/5 | 3.8/5 |
| Free Tier | No | No |
| Pricing Model | Custom pricing, usage-based | Custom (enterprise, annual contract) |
| Ease of Use | 3.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Value for Money | 3.5/5 | 3.3/5 |
| Support | 3.8/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Platforms | Any web application, cloud-hosted sites, on-premises origins | Scans any web application accessible via HTTP/HTTPS. Supports REST APIs, GraphQL, SOAP, single-page applications (React, Angular, Vue), and traditional server-rendered applications. On-premises scanner available for internal applications. |
| Compliance | PCI DSS, ISO 27001, SOC 2 | SOC 2 Type 2, helps with PCI DSS, HIPAA, ISO 27001, GDPR compliance scanning |
Pricing Comparison
CDNetworks Application Shield
Model: Custom pricing, usage-based
Application Shield Standard
Custom pricing
Application Shield Advanced
Custom pricing
Invicti
Model: Custom (enterprise, annual contract)
Acunetix (SMB)
Custom (starts ~$4,500/year)
Invicti (Enterprise)
Custom (annual contract)
Features Comparison
CDNetworks Application Shield
-
Edge-Based WAF
WAF filtering at 1,500+ global edge locations for low-latency protection close to end users.
-
DDoS Protection
Multi-layer DDoS mitigation covering network (L3/L4) and application (L7) layer attacks.
-
Bot Management
Identify and manage automated traffic including scrapers, credential stuffers, and inventory hoarders.
-
API Protection
Secure APIs against abuse, injection attacks, and unauthorized access with dedicated API security rules.
-
Virtual Patching
Quickly mitigate known vulnerabilities without modifying application code.
-
Real-Time Analytics
Comprehensive dashboards showing attack trends, blocked requests, and traffic patterns.
Invicti
-
Proof-Based Scanning
When a vulnerability is found, Invicti attempts to safely exploit it and provides concrete proof. For SQL injection, it extracts actual data. For file inclusion, it reads a specific file. This eliminates the false positive problem that plagues most security scanners.
-
DAST (Dynamic Application Security Testing)
Tests running web applications by sending crafted HTTP requests and analyzing responses. Finds SQL injection, XSS, CSRF, file inclusion, authentication flaws, and other OWASP Top 10 vulnerabilities in production or staging environments.
-
IAST (Interactive Application Security Testing)
Instruments the application at runtime to provide deeper vulnerability detection. Combines external scanning with internal application visibility. Finds vulnerabilities that pure DAST scanning might miss, such as insecure deserialization or business logic flaws.
-
API Security Testing
Scans REST APIs, GraphQL endpoints, and SOAP services. Imports API definitions (OpenAPI/Swagger, WSDL, GraphQL schemas) and tests all endpoints for vulnerabilities. Critical for modern applications where APIs are the primary attack surface.
-
CI/CD Pipeline Integration
Integrates with Jenkins, Azure DevOps, GitHub Actions, GitLab CI, and other CI/CD platforms. Automatically scans applications as part of the deployment pipeline. Fails builds if critical vulnerabilities are found.
-
WAF Rule Export
Exports discovered vulnerabilities as WAF rules that can be imported into WAF products. Creates targeted virtual patches for specific vulnerabilities found during scanning. Bridges the gap between vulnerability discovery and runtime mitigation.
-
Compliance Reporting
Generates compliance reports mapped to PCI DSS, HIPAA, ISO 27001, and OWASP Top 10 requirements. Useful for demonstrating due diligence during audits and regulatory reviews.
-
Single-Page Application Support
Full support for scanning modern JavaScript applications built with React, Angular, or Vue. Invicti executes JavaScript, interacts with dynamic page elements, and discovers application states that traditional crawlers miss.
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
Invicti
- You need: Enterprise security teams evaluating WAF effectiveness against actual application vulnerabilities. DevSecOps teams wanting automated vulnerability scanning in CI/CD pipelines. Organizations needing compliance scanning for PCI DSS, HIPAA, or ISO 27001. Security consultants performing application security assessments.
- You're using: Scans any web application accessible via HTTP/HTTPS. Supports REST APIs, GraphQL, SOAP, single-page applications (React, Angular, Vue), and traditional server-rendered applications. On-premises scanner available for internal applications.
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 Invicti?
Invicti has a higher support rating (4.0/5) 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 Invicti?
Invicti 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 Invicti?
Neither provider offers a completely free tier. CDNetworks Application Shield scores higher for value (3.5/5). Total cost depends on your traffic volume, required features, and support level needs.
Which is better for enterprise: CDNetworks Application Shield or Invicti?
Both CDNetworks Application Shield and Invicti are well-suited for enterprise deployments. Both offer compliance certifications important for enterprise. Enterprise buyers should evaluate SLAs, support options, and integration capabilities.