DataDome vs Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security)
DataDome 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.
DataDome 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
DataDome 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.
AI-powered bot and fraud protection platform that stops advanced bots, credential stuffing, scraping, and L7 DDoS attacks across websites, mobile apps, and APIs. Forrester Leader in Bot Management with 99.99% detection accuracy and sub-2ms latency. Starts at $3,830/month.
Comprehensive WordPress security plugin with Patchstack-powered firewall rules, virtual patching, two-factor authentication, and site scanning for proactive protection.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | DataDome | Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 4.2/5 | 4.1/5 |
| Free Tier | No | Yes |
| Pricing Model | Tiered (by request volume per month) | Freemium (Free tier + annual Pro license) |
| Ease of Use | 4.5/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Value for Money | 3.0/5 | 4.2/5 |
| Support | 4.5/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Open Source | No | Yes |
| Platforms | CDN (Cloudflare, Akamai, Fastly, AWS CloudFront, Imperva, StackPath), web servers (NGINX, Apache, IIS), cloud (AWS, Azure, GCP), frameworks (Node.js, PHP, Python, Java, .NET, Go, Ruby), mobile (iOS, Android SDK) | WordPress (self-hosted) |
| Compliance | SOC 2 Type II, GDPR compliant, ISO 27001 | Contact vendor |
Pricing Comparison
DataDome
Model: Tiered (by request volume per month)
Essentials
$3,830/mo
Advanced
$8,670/mo
Premium
$10,160/mo
Enterprise
From $13,270/mo
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
DataDome
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Multi-Layered AI Detection
Combines client-side and server-side signal analysis across thousands of AI models to detect bot intent in real time. Processes both browser fingerprinting and behavioral signals for 99.99% detection accuracy.
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Agent Trust Management
Identifies and classifies AI agent traffic including LLM crawlers, agentic AI, and MCP clients. Set per-agent policies to allow, block, challenge, or monetize AI traffic across all protected endpoints.
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Account Protect
Prevents account takeover (ATO), credential stuffing, and fake account creation by analyzing login and registration flows for automated behavior. Customers report 99% reduction in ATO fraud.
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L7 DDoS Protection
Detects and blocks application-layer DDoS attacks that bypass CDN-level protection. Real-time detection with auto-scaling to 200x average traffic in under one minute.
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AI Crawler Monetization
Grants controlled access to trusted AI crawlers while blocking unauthorized scrapers. Create rules, define partnerships, and manage AI access to turn crawler traffic into a revenue stream.
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MCP Server Protection
Secures Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers from agentic threats. Real-time detection and automated blocking protects AI infrastructure while allowing trusted agent interactions.
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Real-Time Dashboard
Award-winning interface providing instant visibility into threat landscape, traffic composition (human vs bot vs AI), actions taken, and automated reporting. Drill into individual threats and sessions.
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Vulnerability Scanner
Free tool to assess domain defenses and uncover subdomains exposed to malicious bots and untrusted AI agents. Available without purchase at datadome.co.
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DataDome Intel
Publicly accessible threat intelligence database powered by 5 trillion daily signals. Covers bots, crawlers, AI agents, CAPTCHA solvers, headless browsers, anti-detect tools, and web unblockers.
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.
DataDome
- You need: E-commerce platforms dealing with scraping, inventory hoarding, and account fraud. High-traffic APIs facing credential stuffing and automated abuse. Organizations needing to manage LLM crawler and AI agent traffic. Enterprises already running a WAF that need additional bot and fraud protection.
- You're using: CDN (Cloudflare, Akamai, Fastly, AWS CloudFront, Imperva, StackPath), web servers (NGINX, Apache, IIS), cloud (AWS, Azure, GCP), frameworks (Node.js, PHP, Python, Java, .NET, Go, Ruby), mobile (iOS, Android SDK)
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: DataDome or Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security)?
Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) offers a free tier while DataDome does not, making Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) more accessible for budget-conscious startups. DataDome scores higher for ease of use (4.5/5), which is valuable for smaller teams. Consider your immediate security needs and growth plans when choosing.
Which has better support: DataDome or Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security)?
DataDome has a higher support rating (4.5/5) compared to Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) (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: DataDome or Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security)?
DataDome scores higher for ease of use (4.5/5) versus Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) (4.3/5). The actual implementation effort depends on your existing infrastructure and team expertise.
Which is more cost-effective: DataDome or Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security)?
Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) offers a free tier while DataDome requires a paid plan. Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) scores higher for value (4.2/5). Total cost depends on your traffic volume, required features, and support level needs.
Which works better with AWS: DataDome or Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security)?
DataDome 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.