Security Ninja vs StackPath Web Application Firewall
Both Security Ninja and StackPath Web Application Firewall are capable WAF solutions. The right choice depends on your specific infrastructure, budget, and feature requirements.
Overview
Security Ninja 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.
Lightweight WordPress security plugin with a free 8G-based firewall that works out of the box. 50+ security tests, vulnerability scanner, and core file integrity checks. Pro adds malware scanning, country blocking, and 2FA.
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 | Security Ninja | StackPath Web Application Firewall |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 3.9/5 | 1.0/5 |
| Free Tier | Yes | No |
| Pricing Model | Freemium (Free tier + paid subscriptions) | Per site / Per bandwidth tier (discontinued) |
| Ease of Use | 4.8/5 | 1.0/5 |
| Value for Money | 4.0/5 | 1.0/5 |
| Support | 3.8/5 | 1.0/5 |
| Platforms | WordPress (self-hosted) | Cloud (SaaS, discontinued) |
| Compliance | Contact vendor | SOC 2, PCI DSS (historical) |
Pricing Comparison
Security Ninja
Model: Freemium (Free tier + paid subscriptions)
Free Tier AvailableFree
$0
Pro (1 site)
$119.99/year (~$10/month)
Pro (3 sites)
$199/year (~$5.53/site/month)
Pro (10 sites)
$399/year (~$3.33/site/month)
Pro (25 sites)
$599/year (~$2/site/month)
StackPath Web Application Firewall
Model: Per site / Per bandwidth tier (discontinued)
Edge Delivery 200
$27.50/month
Edge Delivery 2000
$275/month
Features Comparison
Security Ninja
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8G Firewall
Application-level firewall based on the 8G ruleset, blocking common malicious request patterns including SQL injection, directory traversal, and known bad query strings.
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50+ Security Tests
Comprehensive security audit covering database configuration, file permissions, PHP settings, user accounts, and WordPress hardening best practices.
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Vulnerability Scanner
Scans installed plugins and themes against known vulnerability databases and alerts on outdated or vulnerable components.
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Core File Scanner
Compares WordPress core files against the official repository to detect unauthorized modifications, backdoors, or injected code.
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Event Logger
Logs firewall events and login attempts (free). Full security audit trail with Pro.
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Malware Scanner
Detects and removes malicious code, backdoors, and suspicious files (Pro feature).
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Login Protection
Brute force protection, login URL rename, and two-factor authentication (Pro feature).
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Country Blocking
Block traffic from specific countries at the firewall level (Pro feature).
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.
Security Ninja
- You need: WordPress site owners wanting a simple, low-overhead firewall that works immediately. Small business sites, blogs, and portfolios where ease of setup matters more than advanced WAF features. Agencies managing multiple WordPress sites on a budget.
- You want to start with a free tier
- You're using: WordPress (self-hosted)
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 is better for startups: Security Ninja or StackPath Web Application Firewall?
Security Ninja offers a free tier while StackPath Web Application Firewall does not, which may be important for early-stage startups. Security Ninja scores higher for ease of use (4.8/5), which is valuable for smaller teams. Consider your immediate security needs and growth plans when choosing.
Which has better support: Security Ninja or StackPath Web Application Firewall?
Security Ninja has a higher support rating (3.8/5) 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: Security Ninja or StackPath Web Application Firewall?
Security Ninja scores higher for ease of use (4.8/5) 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: Security Ninja or StackPath Web Application Firewall?
Security Ninja offers a free tier while StackPath Web Application Firewall requires a paid plan. Security Ninja scores higher for value (4.0/5). Total cost depends on your traffic volume, required features, and support level needs.
Which is better for WordPress: Security Ninja or StackPath Web Application Firewall?
Security Ninja explicitly supports WordPress while StackPath Web Application Firewall 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.