StackPath Web Application Firewall vs Vercel Firewall
Both StackPath Web Application Firewall and Vercel Firewall are capable WAF solutions. The right choice depends on your specific infrastructure, budget, and feature requirements.
Overview
StackPath Web Application Firewall and Vercel 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.
Edge-based WAF that was part of StackPath's CDN and edge computing platform. Discontinued in June 2024 when the company shut down operations.
Edge-based web application firewall built into the Vercel platform, providing DDoS protection, bot management, and configurable security rules for Next.js and other frontend applications deployed on Vercel.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | StackPath Web Application Firewall | Vercel Firewall |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 1.0/5 | 3.8/5 |
| Free Tier | No | Yes |
| Pricing Model | Per site / Per bandwidth tier (discontinued) | Included in Vercel plans, features vary by tier |
| Ease of Use | 1.0/5 | 4.8/5 |
| Value for Money | 1.0/5 | 4.2/5 |
| Support | 1.0/5 | 3.8/5 |
| Platforms | Cloud (SaaS, discontinued) | Vercel platform only (Next.js, React, Svelte, Vue, Nuxt, Astro, and other frameworks) |
| Compliance | SOC 2, PCI DSS (historical) | SOC 2 Type II, GDPR, HIPAA (Enterprise) |
Pricing Comparison
StackPath Web Application Firewall
Model: Per site / Per bandwidth tier (discontinued)
Edge Delivery 200
$27.50/month
Edge Delivery 2000
$275/month
Vercel Firewall
Model: Included in Vercel plans, features vary by tier
Free Tier AvailableHobby (Free)
$0/month
Pro
$20/month per team member
Enterprise
Custom pricing
Features Comparison
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.
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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.
Vercel Firewall
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Edge-Based Protection
Firewall runs at the edge across Vercel''s global network, blocking threats before they reach origin servers or serverless functions.
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DDoS Protection
Automatic DDoS mitigation at the network and application layer, included on all plans with no configuration required.
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Rate Limiting
Configurable rate limits per IP, path, or custom criteria to prevent abuse of APIs and serverless functions.
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Bot Management
Detection and management of automated traffic using behavioral signals and challenge pages.
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Custom Firewall Rules
Configurable rules based on IP, geography, headers, paths, and request properties via dashboard or vercel.json.
-
Attack Challenge Mode
Automatic challenge pages for suspicious traffic during active attacks, allowing legitimate users through while blocking bots.
Which One Is Right for You?
The best WAF depends on your specific requirements, infrastructure, and team expertise.
StackPath Web Application Firewall
- You need: Historical reference only. StackPath is no longer available.
- You're using: Cloud (SaaS, discontinued)
Vercel Firewall
- You need: Next.js and React applications on Vercel, frontend teams wanting integrated security, Jamstack projects, developers wanting zero-config protection
- You want to start with a free tier
- You're using: Vercel platform only (Next.js, React, Svelte, Vue, Nuxt, Astro, and other frameworks)
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: StackPath Web Application Firewall or Vercel Firewall?
Vercel Firewall offers a free tier while StackPath Web Application Firewall does not, making Vercel Firewall more accessible for budget-conscious startups. Vercel Firewall 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: StackPath Web Application Firewall or Vercel Firewall?
Vercel Firewall 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: StackPath Web Application Firewall or Vercel Firewall?
Vercel Firewall 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: StackPath Web Application Firewall or Vercel Firewall?
Vercel Firewall offers a free tier while StackPath Web Application Firewall requires a paid plan. Vercel Firewall scores higher for value (4.2/5). Total cost depends on your traffic volume, required features, and support level needs.