Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences) vs LiteSpeed Web Server WAF

Both Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences) and LiteSpeed Web Server WAF are capable WAF solutions. The right choice depends on your specific infrastructure, budget, and feature requirements.

View Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences) Review View LiteSpeed Web Server WAF Review

Overview

Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences) and LiteSpeed Web Server WAF are both popular web application firewall solutions. This comparison will help you understand the key differences and choose the right one for your needs.

Developer-friendly WAF using proprietary SmartParse technology, offering low false positives and seamless DevOps integration for modern application security.

Built-in WAF module for LiteSpeed Web Server providing ModSecurity-compatible protection with high performance and low resource usage.

Quick Comparison

Feature Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences) LiteSpeed Web Server WAF
Overall Rating 4.5/5 3.8/5
Free Tier No Yes
Pricing Model Custom pricing based on requests and features Per-server license
Ease of Use 4.0/5 4.0/5
Value for Money 3.8/5 4.5/5
Support 4.5/5 3.5/5
Platforms Any web application, AWS, GCP, Azure, Kubernetes, Docker, Serverless, Nginx, Apache Linux servers
Compliance SOC 2 Type II, PCI DSS, ISO 27001, HIPAA, GDPR PCI DSS (with proper configuration)

Pricing Comparison

Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences)

Model: Custom pricing based on requests and features

Essential

Custom pricing

Professional

Custom pricing

Premier

Custom pricing

View full pricing →

LiteSpeed Web Server WAF

Model: Per-server license

Free Tier Available

OpenLiteSpeed

Free

LiteSpeed Enterprise

From $0 (1-worker) to $92/month

View full pricing →

Features Comparison

Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences)

  • SmartParse Technology

    Intelligent parsing technology that understands application context to reduce false positives by 90%+.

  • Power Rules

    Flexible rule language for creating custom detection and response logic based on any request attribute.

  • API Discovery

    Automatic discovery and cataloging of API endpoints with security assessment.

  • DevOps Integration

    Native integrations with CI/CD tools, infrastructure as code support, and developer-friendly APIs.

  • Multi-Environment Deployment

    Deploy as cloud service, agent, or edge module across diverse infrastructure.

  • Real-Time Dashboards

    Live visibility into attacks, decisions, and application health without sampling.

LiteSpeed Web Server WAF

  • ModSecurity Compatibility

    Supports ModSecurity rules with significantly better performance than Apache mod_security.

  • Built-In WAF

    WAF integrated directly into the web server for minimal overhead.

  • OWASP CRS Support

    Compatible with the OWASP Core Rule Set; CRS must be enabled and the rule set installed, it is not active by default.

Which One Is Right for You?

The best WAF depends on your specific requirements, infrastructure, and team expertise.

Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences)

  • You need: Modern DevOps teams, API-heavy applications, organizations frustrated with false positives, companies needing flexible deployment options
  • You're using: Any web application, AWS, GCP, Azure, Kubernetes, Docker, Serverless, Nginx, Apache
Learn more →

LiteSpeed Web Server WAF

  • You need: Hosting providers, WordPress sites on LiteSpeed, organizations wanting server-level WAF
  • You want to start with a free tier
  • You're using: Linux servers
Learn more →

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: Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences) or LiteSpeed Web Server WAF?

LiteSpeed Web Server WAF offers a free tier while Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences) does not, making LiteSpeed Web Server WAF more accessible for budget-conscious startups. Consider your immediate security needs and growth plans when choosing.

Which has better support: Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences) or LiteSpeed Web Server WAF?

Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences) has a higher support rating (4.5/5) compared to LiteSpeed Web Server WAF (3.5/5). 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: Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences) or LiteSpeed Web Server WAF?

LiteSpeed Web Server WAF scores higher for ease of use (4.0/5) versus Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences) (4.0/5). The actual implementation effort depends on your existing infrastructure and team expertise.

Which is more cost-effective: Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences) or LiteSpeed Web Server WAF?

LiteSpeed Web Server WAF offers a free tier while Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences) requires a paid plan. LiteSpeed Web Server WAF 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: Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences) or LiteSpeed Web Server WAF?

Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences) explicitly supports AWS while LiteSpeed Web Server WAF's AWS integration may vary. Consider whether native AWS integration or cross-cloud portability matters more for your use case.