Kong Gateway WAF vs Sansec Shield Web Application Firewall
Both Kong Gateway WAF and Sansec Shield Web Application Firewall are capable WAF solutions. The right choice depends on your specific infrastructure, budget, and feature requirements.
Overview
Kong Gateway WAF and Sansec Shield 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.
API gateway with built-in WAF plugin for enterprise customers. Kong is the most popular open source API gateway (35K+ GitHub stars, 312M+ downloads) built on NGINX, processing 400B+ API calls daily. The WAF plugin is an Enterprise-only add-on that protects API endpoints at the gateway layer.
Magento-specific WAF with real-time threat protection, zero false positives, and deep Adobe Commerce integration for e-commerce stores.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Kong Gateway WAF | Sansec Shield Web Application Firewall |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 3.8/5 | 4.4/5 |
| Free Tier | No | No |
| Pricing Model | Tiered (Plus per-gateway + Enterprise custom) | Subscription by store revenue tier |
| Ease of Use | 3.2/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Value for Money | 3.0/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Support | 4.2/5 | 4.6/5 |
| Platforms | Linux (Ubuntu, RHEL, Debian, Amazon Linux, Alpine), Docker, Kubernetes (via Ingress Controller and Operator), AWS, Azure, GCP, ARM64, macOS (dev) | Magento 2, Adobe Commerce, Adobe Cloud |
| Compliance | SOC 2 Type II, FIPS 140-2 (Enterprise data planes), supports PCI DSS and HIPAA compliance | PCI DSS compatible |
Pricing Comparison
Kong Gateway WAF
Model: Tiered (Plus per-gateway + Enterprise custom)
Kong Gateway OSS
Free
Kong Konnect Plus
From $225/mo
Kong Konnect Enterprise
Custom (annual)
Dedicated Cloud Gateway
$500/mo per control plane + $0.15/GB
Sansec Shield Web Application Firewall
Model: Subscription by store revenue tier
Secure
Custom pricing
Advanced
Custom pricing
Enterprise
Custom pricing
Features Comparison
Kong Gateway WAF
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Gateway-Embedded WAF
WAF runs as a plugin inside the Kong Gateway process, inspecting API traffic at the same layer where routing, authentication, and rate limiting occur. No separate WAF appliance or additional proxy hop needed.
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OWASP Top 10 Protection
Built-in protection against common web application attacks including SQL injection, cross-site scripting, command injection, and path traversal at the API gateway layer.
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Plugin Ecosystem
Over 100 plugins for security, traffic control, authentication, and observability. WAF works alongside bot detection, IP restriction, CORS, ACL, and rate limiting plugins in a configurable execution chain.
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Third-Party WAF Integrations
Open plugin architecture supports third-party WAF engines including open-appsec (ML-driven detection) and Wallarm (API security). Teams can choose the WAF engine that fits their threat model.
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Kubernetes-Native Deployment
Kong Ingress Controller and Kong Kubernetes Operator provide native Kubernetes integration. WAF policies can be managed declaratively through Kubernetes CRDs alongside gateway configuration.
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Hybrid Mode
Cloud-managed control plane with self-hosted data planes. WAF policies are centrally managed and distributed to data planes running in any environment, including air-gapped networks.
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AI Gateway
Dedicated AI gateway capabilities including LLM proxy, token-based rate limiting, semantic caching, PII sanitization, prompt guardrails, and MCP server proxy. WAF protects AI endpoints alongside traditional APIs.
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Declarative Configuration
Gateway and WAF configuration can be managed as code through declarative YAML/JSON, enabling GitOps workflows and CI/CD pipeline integration for security policy changes.
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Advanced Rate Limiting
Enterprise-grade rate limiting with sliding window counters, consumer groups, and cluster-wide synchronization. Works in conjunction with WAF to prevent both application-layer attacks and abuse.
Sansec Shield Web Application Firewall
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Origin-Based Protection
Operates at the application layer as a PHP module, protecting against attacks that bypass CDN-based WAFs.
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Real-Time Threat Detection
Sub-millisecond pattern matching with zero performance impact on store operations.
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Zero False Positives
Blocks only actual attacks using Magento-specific intelligence, not generic criteria.
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Rapid Threat Response
New protection rules deployed within minutes of detecting new attack patterns in the wild.
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Magento-Specific Rules
Deep understanding of Magento architecture enables detection of platform-specific vulnerabilities.
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Hack Protection Guarantee
Conditional guarantee against successful attacks when security requirements are met.
Which One Is Right for You?
The best WAF depends on your specific requirements, infrastructure, and team expertise.
Kong Gateway WAF
- You need: Organizations already using Kong as their API gateway, Kubernetes-native architectures needing gateway-level WAF, teams wanting unified API management and security in one platform, enterprises with microservices architectures routing all traffic through an API gateway
- You're using: Linux (Ubuntu, RHEL, Debian, Amazon Linux, Alpine), Docker, Kubernetes (via Ingress Controller and Operator), AWS, Azure, GCP, ARM64, macOS (dev)
Sansec Shield Web Application Firewall
- You need: Magento 2 stores, Adobe Commerce merchants, e-commerce businesses requiring specialized protection
- You're using: Magento 2, Adobe Commerce, Adobe Cloud
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: Kong Gateway WAF or Sansec Shield Web Application Firewall?
Sansec Shield Web Application Firewall has a higher support rating (4.6/5) compared to Kong Gateway WAF (4.2/5). 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: Kong Gateway WAF or Sansec Shield Web Application Firewall?
Sansec Shield Web Application Firewall scores higher for ease of use (4.0/5) versus Kong Gateway WAF (3.2/5). The actual implementation effort depends on your existing infrastructure and team expertise.
Which is more cost-effective: Kong Gateway WAF or Sansec Shield Web Application Firewall?
Neither provider offers a completely free tier. Sansec Shield Web Application Firewall scores higher for value (4.3/5). Total cost depends on your traffic volume, required features, and support level needs.
Which works better with AWS: Kong Gateway WAF or Sansec Shield Web Application Firewall?
Kong Gateway WAF explicitly supports AWS while Sansec Shield 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: Kong Gateway WAF or Sansec Shield Web Application Firewall?
Kong Gateway WAF is positioned for enterprise use cases, while Sansec Shield 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.