Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences) vs Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security)

Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences) 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.

View Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences) Review View Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) Review

Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences) 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

Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences) 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.

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

Comprehensive WordPress security plugin with Patchstack-powered firewall rules, virtual patching, two-factor authentication, and site scanning for proactive protection.

Quick Comparison

Feature	Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences)	Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security)
Overall Rating	4.5/5	4.1/5
Free Tier	No	Yes
Pricing Model	Custom pricing based on requests and features	Freemium (Free tier + annual Pro license)
Ease of Use	4.0/5	4.3/5
Value for Money	3.8/5	4.2/5
Support	4.5/5	4.0/5
Open Source	No	Yes
Platforms	Any web application, AWS, GCP, Azure, Kubernetes, Docker, Serverless, Nginx, Apache	WordPress (self-hosted)
Compliance	SOC 2 Type II, PCI DSS, ISO 27001, HIPAA, GDPR	Contact vendor

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 →

Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security)

Model: Freemium (Free tier + annual Pro license)

Free Tier Available

Free

Pro (1 site)

$99/year (~$8.25/month)

Pro (multi-site)

From $199/year

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.

Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security)

Patchstack Firewall
Virtual patching rules powered by Patchstack that protect against known plugin and theme vulnerabilities automatically.
Two-Factor Authentication
Multiple 2FA methods including authenticator apps, email codes, and backup codes for all user roles.
Passwordless Login
Login via passkeys and biometrics, eliminating password-based attacks entirely (Pro feature).
Site Scanner
Checks for known malware, vulnerabilities in plugins and themes, and blocklist status.
File Change Detection
Monitors WordPress core files and alerts when unexpected changes are detected.
Security Dashboard
Unified dashboard showing security status, recent events, and actionable recommendations.
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.

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 →

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)

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 Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security)?

Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) offers a free tier while Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences) does not, making Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) more accessible for budget-conscious startups. Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) scores higher for ease of use (4.3/5), which is valuable for smaller teams. Consider your immediate security needs and growth plans when choosing.

Which has better support: Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences) or Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security)?

Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences) 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: Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences) or Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security)?

Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) scores higher for ease of use (4.3/5) 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 Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security)?

Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) offers a free tier while Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences) 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: Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences) or Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security)?

Fastly Next-Gen WAF (Signal Sciences) 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.