Palo Alto Networks Prisma Cloud WAAS vs StackPath Web Application Firewall
Both Palo Alto Networks Prisma Cloud WAAS and StackPath Web Application Firewall are capable WAF solutions. The right choice depends on your specific infrastructure, budget, and feature requirements.
Overview
Palo Alto Networks Prisma Cloud WAAS 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.
Enterprise CNAPP with integrated WAF, API security, and bot management, designed for cloud-native applications across multi-cloud environments.
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 | Palo Alto Networks Prisma Cloud WAAS | StackPath Web Application Firewall |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 4.3/5 | 1.0/5 |
| Free Tier | No | No |
| Pricing Model | Credit-based licensing | Per site / Per bandwidth tier (discontinued) |
| Ease of Use | 3.4/5 | 1.0/5 |
| Value for Money | 3.6/5 | 1.0/5 |
| Support | 4.4/5 | 1.0/5 |
| Platforms | AWS, Azure, GCP, Kubernetes, Docker, OpenShift, any cloud-native environment | Cloud (SaaS, discontinued) |
| Compliance | SOC 2, PCI DSS, HIPAA, ISO 27001, FedRAMP, GDPR | SOC 2, PCI DSS (historical) |
Pricing Comparison
Palo Alto Networks Prisma Cloud WAAS
Model: Credit-based licensing
Business Edition
~$9,000/year (100 credits)
Enterprise Edition
Custom pricing
StackPath Web Application Firewall
Model: Per site / Per bandwidth tier (discontinued)
Edge Delivery 200
$27.50/month
Edge Delivery 2000
$275/month
Features Comparison
Palo Alto Networks Prisma Cloud WAAS
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OWASP Top 10 Protection
Full coverage of OWASP Top 10 vulnerabilities including SQL injection, XSS, and code injection.
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API Discovery & Protection
Automatic API discovery with ML-based profiling and OpenAPI/Swagger spec enforcement.
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Bot Risk Management
Detect and manage web bots with customizable policies for different bot categories.
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DoS Protection
Application-layer DoS protection with rate limiting and traffic analysis.
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Agentless Deployment
Deploy protection without agents for simplified operations in cloud environments.
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Virtual Patching
Immediate protection against known CVEs while permanent fixes are developed.
StackPath Web Application Firewall
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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.
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DDoS Protection
Volumetric and application-layer DDoS mitigation integrated with the CDN edge network.
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Bot Management
Bot detection and mitigation using behavioral analysis and challenge-based verification.
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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.
Palo Alto Networks Prisma Cloud WAAS
- You need: Large enterprises, multi-cloud deployments, organizations using Prisma Cloud, cloud-native application teams
- You're using: AWS, Azure, GCP, Kubernetes, Docker, OpenShift, any cloud-native environment
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: Palo Alto Networks Prisma Cloud WAAS or StackPath Web Application Firewall?
Palo Alto Networks Prisma Cloud WAAS has a higher support rating (4.4/5) 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: Palo Alto Networks Prisma Cloud WAAS or StackPath Web Application Firewall?
Palo Alto Networks Prisma Cloud WAAS scores higher for ease of use (3.4/5) 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: Palo Alto Networks Prisma Cloud WAAS or StackPath Web Application Firewall?
Neither provider offers a completely free tier. Palo Alto Networks Prisma Cloud WAAS scores higher for value (3.6/5). Total cost depends on your traffic volume, required features, and support level needs.
Which works better with AWS: Palo Alto Networks Prisma Cloud WAAS or StackPath Web Application Firewall?
Palo Alto Networks Prisma Cloud WAAS 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: Palo Alto Networks Prisma Cloud WAAS or StackPath Web Application Firewall?
Palo Alto Networks Prisma Cloud WAAS 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.