Kong Gateway WAF vs Zscaler Internet Access (ZIA) WAF
Both Kong Gateway WAF and Zscaler Internet Access (ZIA) WAF are capable WAF solutions. The right choice depends on your specific infrastructure, budget, and feature requirements.
Overview
Kong Gateway WAF and Zscaler Internet Access (ZIA) WAF 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.
Enterprise zero trust security platform with integrated cloud WAF capabilities as part of Zscaler Internet Access. Inspects all traffic including encrypted SSL/TLS at cloud scale.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Kong Gateway WAF | Zscaler Internet Access (ZIA) WAF |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 3.8/5 | 3.8/5 |
| Free Tier | No | No |
| Pricing Model | Tiered (Plus per-gateway + Enterprise custom) | Per user / Annual subscription |
| Ease of Use | 3.2/5 | 3.2/5 |
| Value for Money | 3.0/5 | 3.0/5 |
| Support | 4.2/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Platforms | Linux (Ubuntu, RHEL, Debian, Amazon Linux, Alpine), Docker, Kubernetes (via Ingress Controller and Operator), AWS, Azure, GCP, ARM64, macOS (dev) | Cloud (SaaS) |
| Compliance | SOC 2 Type II, FIPS 140-2 (Enterprise data planes), supports PCI DSS and HIPAA compliance | SOC 2, ISO 27001, FedRAMP, HIPAA, PCI DSS, GDPR |
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
Zscaler Internet Access (ZIA) WAF
Model: Per user / Annual subscription
ZIA Business
Custom pricing
ZIA Transformation
Custom pricing
Features Comparison
Kong Gateway WAF
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
Zscaler Internet Access (ZIA) WAF
-
Inline WAF Protection
Inspects web traffic inline for OWASP Top 10 threats as part of the broader ZIA security stack.
-
Full SSL/TLS Inspection
Decrypts, inspects, and re-encrypts all encrypted traffic at cloud scale without performance degradation.
-
AI-Powered Threat Detection
Machine learning models analyze traffic patterns to detect zero-day threats and advanced attacks.
-
Cloud Firewall
Stateful inspection firewall for all ports and protocols, extending protection beyond HTTP/S traffic.
-
Centralized Policy Management
Single console for global security policy enforcement across 150+ data centers.
-
Zero Trust Architecture
Identity-based access control ensuring users only reach authorized applications regardless of location.
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)
Zscaler Internet Access (ZIA) WAF
- You need: Large enterprises adopting zero trust, organizations wanting a single vendor for all web security, companies with distributed workforces needing consistent global security policy
- You're using: Cloud (SaaS)
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 Zscaler Internet Access (ZIA) WAF?
Kong Gateway WAF has a higher support rating (4.2/5) compared to Zscaler Internet Access (ZIA) WAF (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: Kong Gateway WAF or Zscaler Internet Access (ZIA) WAF?
Zscaler Internet Access (ZIA) WAF scores higher for ease of use (3.2/5) 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 Zscaler Internet Access (ZIA) WAF?
Neither provider offers a completely free tier. Total cost depends on your traffic volume, required features, and support level needs.
Which works better with AWS: Kong Gateway WAF or Zscaler Internet Access (ZIA) WAF?
Kong Gateway WAF explicitly supports AWS while Zscaler Internet Access (ZIA) WAF'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 Zscaler Internet Access (ZIA) WAF?
Both Kong Gateway WAF and Zscaler Internet Access (ZIA) WAF are well-suited for enterprise deployments. Both offer compliance certifications important for enterprise. Enterprise buyers should evaluate SLAs, support options, and integration capabilities.