Fortinet FortiWeb vs StackPath Web Application Firewall
Both Fortinet FortiWeb and StackPath Web Application Firewall are capable WAF solutions. The right choice depends on your specific infrastructure, budget, and feature requirements.
Overview
Fortinet FortiWeb and StackPath 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.
Edge-based WAF that was part of StackPath's CDN and edge computing platform. Discontinued in June 2024 when the company shut down operations.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Fortinet FortiWeb | StackPath Web Application Firewall |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 4.2/5 | 1.0/5 |
| Free Tier | No | No |
| Pricing Model | Appliance purchase + subscription, or SaaS subscription | Per site / Per bandwidth tier (discontinued) |
| Ease of Use | 3.5/5 | 1.0/5 |
| Value for Money | 3.8/5 | 1.0/5 |
| Support | 4.3/5 | 1.0/5 |
| Platforms | On-premises, AWS, Azure, GCP, Oracle Cloud, Kubernetes, VMware, Hyper-V, KVM | Cloud (SaaS, discontinued) |
| Compliance | PCI DSS, HIPAA, SOC 2, GDPR, FIPS 140-2 | SOC 2, PCI DSS (historical) |
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)
StackPath Web Application Firewall
Model: Per site / Per bandwidth tier (discontinued)
Edge Delivery 200
$27.50/month
Edge Delivery 2000
$275/month
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.
StackPath Web Application Firewall
-
Edge WAF
Application-layer firewall deployed at the edge, filtering traffic before it reached origin servers. Included OWASP Top 10 coverage and custom rule support.
-
DDoS Protection
Volumetric and application-layer DDoS mitigation integrated with the CDN edge network.
-
Bot Management
Bot detection and mitigation using behavioral analysis and challenge-based verification.
-
Real-time Analytics
Dashboard showing traffic patterns, blocked requests, and attack trends across protected sites.
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
StackPath Web Application Firewall
- You need: Historical reference only. StackPath is no longer available.
- You're using: Cloud (SaaS, discontinued)
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 StackPath Web Application Firewall?
Fortinet FortiWeb has a higher support rating (4.3/5) compared to StackPath Web Application Firewall (1.0/5). 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: Fortinet FortiWeb or StackPath Web Application Firewall?
Fortinet FortiWeb scores higher for ease of use (3.5/5) versus StackPath Web Application Firewall (1.0/5). The actual implementation effort depends on your existing infrastructure and team expertise.
Which is more cost-effective: Fortinet FortiWeb or StackPath 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 StackPath Web Application Firewall?
Fortinet FortiWeb explicitly supports AWS while StackPath Web Application Firewall's AWS integration may vary. Consider whether native AWS integration or cross-cloud portability matters more for your use case.
Which is better for enterprise: Fortinet FortiWeb or StackPath Web Application Firewall?
Fortinet FortiWeb is positioned for enterprise use cases, while StackPath Web Application Firewall may be more suited for small to mid-market organizations. Both offer compliance certifications important for enterprise. Enterprise buyers should evaluate SLAs, support options, and integration capabilities.