Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) vs Tempesta FW
Both Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) and Tempesta FW are capable WAF solutions. The right choice depends on your specific infrastructure, budget, and feature requirements.
Overview
Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) and Tempesta FW are both popular web application firewall solutions. This comparison will help you understand the key differences and choose the right one for your needs.
Comprehensive WordPress security plugin with Patchstack-powered firewall rules, virtual patching, two-factor authentication, and site scanning for proactive protection.
High-performance open-source WAF and web accelerator built directly into the Linux kernel, delivering up to 1.8M requests per second with integrated L3-L7 DDoS protection and automated bot mitigation via WebShield.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) | Tempesta FW |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 4.1/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Free Tier | Yes | Yes |
| Pricing Model | Freemium (Free tier + annual Pro license) | Free (open source) + professional services |
| Ease of Use | 4.3/5 | 2.5/5 |
| Value for Money | 4.2/5 | 4.8/5 |
| Support | 4.0/5 | 3.0/5 |
| Open Source | Yes | Yes |
| Platforms | WordPress (self-hosted) | Linux (kernel-level integration), bare metal, cloud VMs |
Pricing Comparison
Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security)
Model: Freemium (Free tier + annual Pro license)
Free Tier AvailableFree
$0
Pro (1 site)
$99/year (~$8.25/month)
Pro (multi-site)
From $199/year
Tempesta FW
Model: Free (open source) + professional services
Free Tier AvailableOpen Source
Free
Professional Services
Contact for pricing
Features Comparison
Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security)
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Patchstack Firewall
Virtual patching rules powered by Patchstack that protect against known plugin and theme vulnerabilities automatically.
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Two-Factor Authentication
Multiple 2FA methods including authenticator apps, email codes, and backup codes for all user roles.
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Passwordless Login
Login via passkeys and biometrics, eliminating password-based attacks entirely (Pro feature).
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Site Scanner
Checks for known malware, vulnerabilities in plugins and themes, and blocklist status.
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File Change Detection
Monitors WordPress core files and alerts when unexpected changes are detected.
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Security Dashboard
Unified dashboard showing security status, recent events, and actionable recommendations.
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Trusted Devices
Recognizes trusted devices and restricts admin access from unknown devices (Pro feature).
Tempesta FW
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Kernel-Level Performance
Built directly into Linux TCP/IP stack, processing up to 1.8M HTTP requests per second - 3x faster than Nginx or HAProxy.
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Multi-Layer DDoS Protection
Integrated protection against volumetric and application-layer DDoS attacks with rate limiting, JavaScript challenges, and adaptive QoS.
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HTTP Tables
Extends Linux iptables/nftables for application-layer filtering, enabling rules that combine IP addresses with HTTP headers and content.
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Intelligent Load Balancing
Machine learning-powered load balancing with persistent sessions, weighted round-robin, and rendezvous hashing strategies.
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Web Acceleration
Built-in caching using Tempesta DB, an ultra-fast in-memory database with NUMA-aware distribution and SIMD optimizations.
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High-Performance TLS
Tempesta TLS is 40-80% faster than Nginx/OpenSSL with 4x lower latency for TLS handshakes.
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Bot Protection (WebShield)
Open-source automated bot protection via WebShield — detects and blocks DDoS bots, scrapers, shopping bots, and booking bots using TLS and HTTP fingerprint analysis on access logs stored in ClickHouse.
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Volumetric DDoS Protection
Upcoming open-source volumetric DDoS protection solution, completing a full L3-L7 DDoS and bot mitigation stack when combined with Tempesta FW's application-layer defences and WebShield.
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Native XDP Integration
Uses Linux XDP (eXpress Data Path) for early packet dropping, enabling efficient mitigation of volumetric attacks.
Which One Is Right for You?
The best WAF depends on your specific requirements, infrastructure, and team expertise.
Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security)
- You need: WordPress agencies managing multiple sites, users wanting modern authentication features like passkeys, sites needing automatic virtual patching for plugin vulnerabilities
- You want to start with a free tier
- You prefer open-source solutions
- You're using: WordPress (self-hosted)
Tempesta FW
- You need: High-traffic sites requiring maximum performance, organizations with Linux expertise, teams wanting to replace multiple infrastructure components, performance-critical applications
- You want to start with a free tier
- You prefer open-source solutions
- You're using: Linux (kernel-level integration), bare metal, cloud VMs
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: Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) or Tempesta FW?
Both Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) and Tempesta FW offer free tiers, making them accessible for startups. Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) scores higher for ease of use (4.3/5), which is valuable for smaller teams. Consider your immediate security needs and growth plans when choosing.
Which has better support: Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) or Tempesta FW?
Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) has a higher support rating (4.0/5) compared to Tempesta FW (3.0/5). 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: Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) or Tempesta FW?
Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) scores higher for ease of use (4.3/5) versus Tempesta FW (2.5/5). The actual implementation effort depends on your existing infrastructure and team expertise.
Which is more cost-effective: Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) or Tempesta FW?
Both providers offer free tiers, making it easy to start without commitment. Tempesta FW scores higher for value (4.8/5). Total cost depends on your traffic volume, required features, and support level needs.
Which is better for WordPress: Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) or Tempesta FW?
Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) explicitly supports WordPress while Tempesta FW 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.