Fortinet FortiWeb vs Imperva Web Application Firewall
Both Fortinet FortiWeb and Imperva Web Application Firewall are capable WAF solutions. The right choice depends on your specific infrastructure, budget, and feature requirements.
Overview
Fortinet FortiWeb and Imperva Web Application Firewall 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 web application firewall from Fortinet providing advanced threat detection, API protection, and bot mitigation for web applications and APIs, available as hardware appliance, VM, or cloud service.
Enterprise-grade cloud WAF with industry-leading threat research, offering comprehensive application security with advanced bot protection and API security.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Fortinet FortiWeb | Imperva Web Application Firewall |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 4.2/5 | 4.4/5 |
| Free Tier | No | No |
| Pricing Model | Appliance purchase + subscription, or SaaS subscription | Custom enterprise pricing |
| Ease of Use | 3.5/5 | 3.5/5 |
| Value for Money | 3.8/5 | 3.7/5 |
| Support | 4.3/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Platforms | On-premises, AWS, Azure, GCP, Oracle Cloud, Kubernetes, VMware, Hyper-V, KVM | Any web application, AWS, Azure, GCP, Kubernetes, on-premise |
| Compliance | PCI DSS, HIPAA, SOC 2, GDPR, FIPS 140-2 | SOC 2, PCI DSS, HIPAA, ISO 27001, ISO 27017, ISO 27018 |
Pricing Comparison
Fortinet FortiWeb
Model: Appliance purchase + subscription, or SaaS subscription
FortiWeb Appliance
Starting ~$20,000
FortiWeb VM
Custom pricing
FortiWeb Cloud
Custom pricing (SaaS)
Imperva Web Application Firewall
Model: Custom enterprise pricing
Pro
Starting ~$59/month
Business
Starting ~$299/month
Enterprise
Custom pricing
Features Comparison
Fortinet FortiWeb
-
ML-Based Threat Detection
Dual-layer machine learning engine that profiles application behavior and detects anomalies without manual rule tuning.
-
API Protection
Automatic API discovery, schema validation, and protection against OWASP API Top 10 threats including parameter tampering and injection attacks.
-
Bot Mitigation
Advanced bot detection using ML, browser fingerprinting, and behavioral analysis to distinguish legitimate users from malicious bots.
-
Virtual Patching
Automatic virtual patches from FortiGuard Labs to protect against newly discovered vulnerabilities before application code can be updated.
-
DDoS Protection
Layer 7 DDoS protection with rate limiting, IP reputation, and geographic blocking to prevent application-layer denial of service attacks.
-
Security Fabric Integration
Deep integration with Fortinet Security Fabric for correlated threat intelligence, automated response, and unified security management.
Imperva Web Application Firewall
-
Advanced Bot Protection
Machine learning-powered bot detection that distinguishes between legitimate users, good bots, and malicious automation.
-
API Security
Discover, classify, and protect APIs with schema validation, anomaly detection, and positive security model.
-
Account Takeover Protection
Detect and prevent credential stuffing and account takeover attacks using behavioral analysis.
-
Client-Side Protection
Monitor and protect against client-side attacks like Magecart, formjacking, and supply chain compromises.
-
Attack Analytics
AI-powered analysis of security events to identify attack campaigns and reduce alert fatigue.
-
Virtual Patching
Immediate protection against known vulnerabilities while you work on permanent fixes.
Which One Is Right for You?
The best WAF depends on your specific requirements, infrastructure, and team expertise.
Fortinet FortiWeb
- You need: Mid-to-large enterprises, organizations using Fortinet Security Fabric, hybrid cloud deployments, regulated industries needing compliance certifications
- You're using: On-premises, AWS, Azure, GCP, Oracle Cloud, Kubernetes, VMware, Hyper-V, KVM
Imperva Web Application Firewall
- You need: Large enterprises, organizations with sophisticated security requirements, companies needing advanced bot management, regulated industries
- You're using: Any web application, AWS, Azure, GCP, Kubernetes, on-premise
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: Fortinet FortiWeb or Imperva Web Application Firewall?
Imperva Web Application Firewall has a higher support rating (4.5/5) compared to Fortinet FortiWeb (4.3/5). 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: Fortinet FortiWeb or Imperva Web Application Firewall?
Imperva Web Application Firewall scores higher for ease of use (3.5/5) versus Fortinet FortiWeb (3.5/5). The actual implementation effort depends on your existing infrastructure and team expertise.
Which is more cost-effective: Fortinet FortiWeb or Imperva Web Application Firewall?
Neither provider offers a completely free tier. Fortinet FortiWeb scores higher for value (3.8/5). Total cost depends on your traffic volume, required features, and support level needs.
Which works better with AWS: Fortinet FortiWeb or Imperva Web Application Firewall?
Both Fortinet FortiWeb and Imperva Web Application Firewall support AWS deployments. Consider whether native AWS integration or cross-cloud portability matters more for your use case.
Which is better for enterprise: Fortinet FortiWeb or Imperva Web Application Firewall?
Both Fortinet FortiWeb and Imperva Web Application Firewall are well-suited for enterprise deployments. Both offer compliance certifications important for enterprise. Enterprise buyers should evaluate SLAs, support options, and integration capabilities.