WAFPlanet

Google Cloud Armor vs Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security)

Google Cloud Armor 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 Google Cloud Armor Review View Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) Review

Google Cloud Armor 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

Google Cloud Armor 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.

Google Cloud's edge security service combining WAF, DDoS protection, and adaptive protection with the scale and intelligence of Google's global network.

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

Quick Comparison

Feature Google Cloud Armor Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security)
Overall Rating 4.2/5 4.1/5
Free Tier No Yes
Pricing Model Pay-per-use (policies + rules + requests) Freemium (Free tier + annual Pro license)
Ease of Use 3.8/5 4.3/5
Value for Money 4.0/5 4.2/5
Support 4.0/5 4.0/5
Open Source No Yes
Platforms Google Cloud Load Balancer (HTTP/S, TCP/SSL Proxy), Cloud CDN, Cloud Run, GKE WordPress (self-hosted)
Compliance SOC 1/2/3, PCI DSS, ISO 27001, ISO 27017, ISO 27018, FedRAMP, HIPAA Contact vendor

Pricing Comparison

Google Cloud Armor

Model: Pay-per-use (policies + rules + requests)

Standard (Small)

~$20/mo + $0.75/M requests

Standard (Medium)

~$55/mo + $0.75/M requests

Plus (Managed Protection)

$3,000/month

Enterprise

Custom pricing

View full pricing →

Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security)

Model: Freemium (Free tier + annual Pro license)

Free Tier Available

Free

$0

Pro (1 site)

$99/year (~$8.25/month)

Pro (multi-site)

From $199/year

View full pricing →

Features Comparison

Google Cloud Armor

  • Pre-configured WAF Rules

    Ready-to-use rule sets for OWASP Top 10, SQLi, XSS, and other common attacks.

  • Adaptive Protection

    ML-powered automatic detection and mitigation of sophisticated L7 DDoS attacks.

  • Bot Management

    Integration with reCAPTCHA Enterprise for advanced bot detection and challenge pages.

  • Rate Limiting

    Flexible rate limiting based on IP, headers, or other request attributes.

  • Geo-Based Access Control

    Allow or deny traffic based on geographic location of the request origin.

  • Named IP Lists

    Block known malicious IPs using Google's threat intelligence or custom lists.

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.

Google Cloud Armor

  • You need: GCP-native applications, organizations using Google Cloud, applications needing reCAPTCHA integration, multi-cloud with GCP component
  • You're using: Google Cloud Load Balancer (HTTP/S, TCP/SSL Proxy), Cloud CDN, Cloud Run, GKE
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: Google Cloud Armor or Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security)?

Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) offers a free tier while Google Cloud Armor 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: Google Cloud Armor or Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security)?

Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) has a higher support rating (4.0/5) compared to Google Cloud Armor (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: Google Cloud Armor or Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security)?

Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) scores higher for ease of use (4.3/5) versus Google Cloud Armor (3.8/5). The actual implementation effort depends on your existing infrastructure and team expertise.

Which is more cost-effective: Google Cloud Armor or Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security)?

Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) offers a free tier while Google Cloud Armor 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 is better for WordPress: Google Cloud Armor or Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security)?

Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) explicitly supports WordPress while Google Cloud Armor takes a more platform-agnostic approach. For WordPress-specific threats like plugin vulnerabilities and brute force attacks, look for providers with WordPress-specific rule sets.