LiteSpeed Web Server WAF vs StackPath Web Application Firewall

Both LiteSpeed Web Server WAF and StackPath Web Application Firewall are capable WAF solutions. The right choice depends on your specific infrastructure, budget, and feature requirements.

View LiteSpeed Web Server WAF Review View StackPath Web Application Firewall Review

Overview

LiteSpeed Web Server WAF 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.

Built-in WAF module for LiteSpeed Web Server providing ModSecurity-compatible protection with high performance and low resource usage.

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 LiteSpeed Web Server WAF StackPath Web Application Firewall
Overall Rating 3.8/5 1.0/5
Free Tier Yes No
Pricing Model Per-server license Per site / Per bandwidth tier (discontinued)
Ease of Use 4.0/5 1.0/5
Value for Money 4.5/5 1.0/5
Support 3.5/5 1.0/5
Platforms Linux servers Cloud (SaaS, discontinued)
Compliance PCI DSS (with proper configuration) SOC 2, PCI DSS (historical)

Pricing Comparison

LiteSpeed Web Server WAF

Model: Per-server license

Free Tier Available

OpenLiteSpeed

Free

LiteSpeed Enterprise

From $0 (1-worker) to $92/month

View full pricing →

StackPath Web Application Firewall

Model: Per site / Per bandwidth tier (discontinued)

Edge Delivery 200

$27.50/month

Edge Delivery 2000

$275/month

View full pricing →

Features Comparison

LiteSpeed Web Server WAF

  • ModSecurity Compatibility

    Supports ModSecurity rules with significantly better performance than Apache mod_security.

  • Built-In WAF

    WAF integrated directly into the web server for minimal overhead.

  • OWASP CRS Support

    Compatible with the OWASP Core Rule Set; CRS must be enabled and the rule set installed, it is not active by default.

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.

LiteSpeed Web Server WAF

  • You need: Hosting providers, WordPress sites on LiteSpeed, organizations wanting server-level WAF
  • You want to start with a free tier
  • You're using: Linux servers
Learn more →

StackPath Web Application Firewall

  • You need: Historical reference only. StackPath is no longer available.
  • You're using: Cloud (SaaS, discontinued)
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: LiteSpeed Web Server WAF or StackPath Web Application Firewall?

LiteSpeed Web Server WAF offers a free tier while StackPath Web Application Firewall does not, which may be important for early-stage startups. LiteSpeed Web Server WAF scores higher for ease of use (4.0/5), which is valuable for smaller teams. Consider your immediate security needs and growth plans when choosing.

Which has better support: LiteSpeed Web Server WAF or StackPath Web Application Firewall?

LiteSpeed Web Server WAF has a higher support rating (3.5/5) 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: LiteSpeed Web Server WAF or StackPath Web Application Firewall?

LiteSpeed Web Server WAF scores higher for ease of use (4.0/5) 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: LiteSpeed Web Server WAF or StackPath Web Application Firewall?

LiteSpeed Web Server WAF offers a free tier while StackPath Web Application Firewall requires a paid plan. LiteSpeed Web Server WAF scores higher for value (4.5/5). Total cost depends on your traffic volume, required features, and support level needs.