Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) vs ThreatX by A10 Networks

Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) and ThreatX by A10 Networks take different approaches to web application security. Consider your team's expertise and infrastructure preferences when evaluating these options.

View Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) Review View ThreatX by A10 Networks Review

Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) and ThreatX by A10 Networks take fundamentally different approaches to web application security. Understanding your infrastructure and team capabilities will help determine which approach fits your needs.

Overview

Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) and ThreatX by A10 Networks 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.

Managed WAAP that combines a next-gen WAF, API protection, bot defense, and Layer 7 DDoS mitigation with behavioral risk scoring and a 24/7 SOC included in the subscription.

Quick Comparison

Feature Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) ThreatX by A10 Networks
Overall Rating 4.1/5 4.2/5
Free Tier Yes No
Pricing Model Freemium (Free tier + annual Pro license) Subscription tiered by monthly HTTP/HTTPS request volume, managed SOC included
Ease of Use 4.3/5 4.4/5
Value for Money 4.2/5 3.9/5
Support 4.0/5 4.6/5
Open Source Yes No
Platforms WordPress (self-hosted) AWS, Azure, GCP, Docker, on-premises data centers, virtual private cloud, hybrid environments
Compliance Contact vendor SOC 2 Type 2 (Security and Availability), supports PCI DSS Requirement 6.6, GDPR

Pricing Comparison

Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security)

Model: Freemium (Free tier + annual Pro license)

Free Tier Available

Free

$0

Pro (1 site)

$99/year (~$8.25/month)

Pro (multi-site)

From $199/year

View full pricing →

ThreatX by A10 Networks

Model: Subscription tiered by monthly HTTP/HTTPS request volume, managed SOC included

ThreatX Protect

Custom quote

Enterprise

Contact Sales

View full pricing →

Features Comparison

Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security)

  • Patchstack Firewall

    Virtual patching rules powered by Patchstack that protect against known plugin and theme vulnerabilities automatically.

  • Two-Factor Authentication

    Multiple 2FA methods including authenticator apps, email codes, and backup codes for all user roles.

  • Passwordless Login

    Login via passkeys and biometrics, eliminating password-based attacks entirely (Pro feature).

  • Site Scanner

    Checks for known malware, vulnerabilities in plugins and themes, and blocklist status.

  • File Change Detection

    Monitors WordPress core files and alerts when unexpected changes are detected.

  • Security Dashboard

    Unified dashboard showing security status, recent events, and actionable recommendations.

  • Trusted Devices

    Recognizes trusted devices and restricts admin access from unknown devices (Pro feature).

ThreatX by A10 Networks

  • Hacker Mind Risk Engine

    Adaptive risk scoring that tracks entities across sessions and attack vectors, correlating probing behavior over time instead of judging requests one at a time.

  • Managed SOC

    24/7 analysts included in the subscription who tune policies, hunt threats, apply virtual patches, and hand-validate alerts before they reach your team.

  • API Protection

    Automatic API cataloging with behavioral analysis and fingerprinting to catch abuse, enumeration, and business logic attacks against north-south API traffic.

  • Bot Management

    Blocks credential stuffing, scraping, and scalping by profiling the attacker rather than matching a static bot signature list.

  • Layer 7 DDoS Defense

    Entity and transaction based tracking that absorbs multi-vector application-layer floods without blanket rate limits on real users.

  • Sensitive Data Redaction

    Automatic redaction of credentials, tokens, card numbers, and SSN patterns in captured traffic, with a 90-day retention policy.

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)
Learn more →

ThreatX by A10 Networks

  • You need: Mid-market and enterprise teams without a dedicated appsec function, API-heavy applications, organizations that want managed detection rather than another dashboard to tune
  • You're using: AWS, Azure, GCP, Docker, on-premises data centers, virtual private cloud, hybrid environments
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: Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) or ThreatX by A10 Networks?

Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) offers a free tier while ThreatX by A10 Networks does not, which may be important for early-stage startups. ThreatX by A10 Networks scores higher for ease of use (4.4/5), 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 ThreatX by A10 Networks?

ThreatX by A10 Networks has a higher support rating (4.6/5) compared to Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) (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: Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) or ThreatX by A10 Networks?

ThreatX by A10 Networks scores higher for ease of use (4.4/5) versus Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) (4.3/5). The actual implementation effort depends on your existing infrastructure and team expertise.

Which is more cost-effective: Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) or ThreatX by A10 Networks?

Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) offers a free tier while ThreatX by A10 Networks requires a paid plan. Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) scores higher for value (4.2/5). Total cost depends on your traffic volume, required features, and support level needs.

Which works better with AWS: Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security) or ThreatX by A10 Networks?

ThreatX by A10 Networks explicitly supports AWS while Solid Security (formerly iThemes Security)'s AWS integration may vary. Consider whether native AWS integration or cross-cloud portability matters more for your use case.