Cloudflare Web Application Firewall vs Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security)
Cloudflare Web Application Firewall and Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) take different approaches to web application security. Consider your team's expertise and infrastructure preferences when evaluating these options.
Cloudflare Web Application Firewall and Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) take fundamentally different approaches to web application security. Understanding your infrastructure and team capabilities will help determine which approach fits your needs.
Overview
Cloudflare Web Application Firewall and Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) are both popular web application firewall solutions. This comparison will help you understand the key differences and choose the right one for your needs.
Industry-leading WAF with global CDN integration, offering robust protection against OWASP threats with easy setup and generous free tier.
Comprehensive WordPress security plugin with Patchstack-powered firewall rules, virtual patching, two-factor authentication, and site scanning for proactive protection.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Cloudflare Web Application Firewall | Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.1/5 |
| Free Tier | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing Model | Per domain / Per feature tier | Freemium (Free tier + annual Pro license) |
| Ease of Use | 4.8/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Value for Money | 4.5/5 | 4.2/5 |
| Support | 4.0/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Open Source | No | Yes |
| Platforms | Any web application, WordPress, Shopify, AWS, GCP, Azure, Kubernetes | WordPress (self-hosted) |
| Compliance | SOC 2, PCI DSS, ISO 27001, HIPAA, FedRAMP | Contact vendor |
Pricing Comparison
Cloudflare Web Application Firewall
Model: Per domain / Per feature tier
Free Tier AvailableFree
$0/month
Pro
$20/month
Business
$200/month
Enterprise
Contact Sales
Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security)
Model: Freemium (Free tier + annual Pro license)
Free Tier AvailableFree
$0
Pro (1 site)
$99/year (~$8.25/month)
Pro (multi-site)
From $199/year
Features Comparison
Cloudflare Web Application Firewall
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Managed Rulesets
Pre-configured rules from Cloudflare and OWASP that are automatically updated to protect against emerging threats.
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Custom Rules
Create your own firewall rules using Cloudflare's expression language to block, challenge, or allow specific traffic patterns.
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Rate Limiting
Protect against brute force attacks and API abuse by limiting request rates from specific IPs or patterns.
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Bot Management
Advanced bot detection and mitigation using machine learning to distinguish good bots from malicious ones.
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API Shield
Protect API endpoints with schema validation, mutual TLS, and anomaly detection.
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Page Shield
Monitor and control third-party JavaScript to prevent supply chain attacks and data theft.
Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security)
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Patchstack Firewall
Virtual patching rules powered by Patchstack that protect against known plugin and theme vulnerabilities automatically.
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Two-Factor Authentication
Multiple 2FA methods including authenticator apps, email codes, and backup codes for all user roles.
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Passwordless Login
Login via passkeys and biometrics, eliminating password-based attacks entirely (Pro feature).
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Site Scanner
Checks for known malware, vulnerabilities in plugins and themes, and blocklist status.
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File Change Detection
Monitors WordPress core files and alerts when unexpected changes are detected.
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Security Dashboard
Unified dashboard showing security status, recent events, and actionable recommendations.
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Trusted Devices
Recognizes trusted devices and restricts admin access from unknown devices (Pro feature).
Which One Is Right for You?
The best WAF depends on your specific requirements, infrastructure, and team expertise.
Cloudflare Web Application Firewall
- You need: Small to medium websites, WordPress sites, developers wanting easy setup, organizations needing integrated CDN+WAF
- You want to start with a free tier
- You're using: Any web application, WordPress, Shopify, AWS, GCP, Azure, Kubernetes
Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security)
- You need: WordPress agencies managing multiple sites, users wanting modern authentication features like passkeys, sites needing automatic virtual patching for plugin vulnerabilities
- You want to start with a free tier
- You prefer open-source solutions
- You're using: WordPress (self-hosted)
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: Cloudflare Web Application Firewall or Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security)?
Both Cloudflare Web Application Firewall and Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) offer free tiers, making them accessible for startups. Cloudflare Web Application Firewall scores higher for ease of use (4.8/5), which is valuable for smaller teams. Consider your immediate security needs and growth plans when choosing.
Which has better support: Cloudflare Web Application Firewall or Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security)?
Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) has a higher support rating (4.0/5) compared to Cloudflare Web Application Firewall (4.0/5). 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: Cloudflare Web Application Firewall or Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security)?
Cloudflare Web Application Firewall scores higher for ease of use (4.8/5) versus Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) (4.3/5). DNS-based setup makes Cloudflare particularly quick to implement. The actual implementation effort depends on your existing infrastructure and team expertise.
Which is more cost-effective: Cloudflare Web Application Firewall or Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security)?
Both providers offer free tiers, making it easy to start without commitment. Cloudflare Web Application Firewall 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: Cloudflare Web Application Firewall or Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security)?
Cloudflare Web Application Firewall explicitly supports AWS while Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security)'s AWS integration may vary. Consider whether native AWS integration or cross-cloud portability matters more for your use case.