StackPath Web Application Firewall vs Wordfence Security
Both StackPath Web Application Firewall and Wordfence Security are capable WAF solutions. The right choice depends on your specific infrastructure, budget, and feature requirements.
Overview
StackPath Web Application Firewall and Wordfence Security 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.
The most popular WordPress security plugin with endpoint firewall, malware scanner, and login security protecting over 5 million sites worldwide.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | StackPath Web Application Firewall | Wordfence Security |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 1.0/5 | 4.4/5 |
| Free Tier | No | Yes |
| Pricing Model | Per site / Per bandwidth tier (discontinued) | Freemium (Free tier + paid subscriptions) |
| Ease of Use | 1.0/5 | 4.7/5 |
| Value for Money | 1.0/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Support | 1.0/5 | 4.2/5 |
| Platforms | Cloud (SaaS, discontinued) | WordPress (self-hosted) |
| Compliance | SOC 2, PCI DSS (historical) | Contact vendor |
Pricing Comparison
StackPath Web Application Firewall
Model: Per site / Per bandwidth tier (discontinued)
Edge Delivery 200
$27.50/month
Edge Delivery 2000
$275/month
Wordfence Security
Model: Freemium (Free tier + paid subscriptions)
Free Tier AvailableFree
$0
Premium
$149/year (~$12.42/month)
Care
$590/year (~$49.17/month)
Response
$1,250/year (~$104.17/month)
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.
-
DDoS Protection
Volumetric and application-layer DDoS mitigation integrated with the CDN edge network.
-
Bot Management
Bot detection and mitigation using behavioral analysis and challenge-based verification.
-
Real-time Analytics
Dashboard showing traffic patterns, blocked requests, and attack trends across protected sites.
Wordfence Security
-
Endpoint Firewall (WAF)
Application-level firewall running within WordPress with deep visibility into user sessions and access levels.
-
Malware Scanner
Scans core files, themes, and plugins for malware, backdoors, SEO spam, and code injections.
-
Threat Defense Feed
Continuously updated firewall rules, malware signatures, and IP blocklist based on global threat intelligence.
-
Login Security
Two-factor authentication, login CAPTCHA, limit login attempts, and leaked password protection.
-
Live Traffic
Real-time view of all traffic including hack attempts, with ability to block by IP, country, or pattern.
-
Country Blocking
Block traffic from specific countries known for originating attacks (Premium feature).
-
Security Audit Log
Tamper-proof log tracking all security events across your site (Premium feature).
-
Vulnerability Database
Access to database of 12,000+ WordPress ecosystem vulnerabilities with scanner integration.
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)
Wordfence Security
- You need: WordPress site owners, bloggers, small businesses on WordPress, WooCommerce stores, WordPress agencies managing multiple sites
- You want to start with a free tier
- You're using: WordPress (self-hosted)
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 Wordfence Security?
Wordfence Security offers a free tier while StackPath Web Application Firewall does not, making Wordfence Security more accessible for budget-conscious startups. Wordfence Security scores higher for ease of use (4.7/5), 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 Wordfence Security?
Wordfence Security has a higher support rating (4.2/5) 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 Wordfence Security?
Wordfence Security scores higher for ease of use (4.7/5) 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 Wordfence Security?
Wordfence Security offers a free tier while StackPath Web Application Firewall requires a paid plan. Wordfence Security scores higher for value (4.5/5). Total cost depends on your traffic volume, required features, and support level needs.
Which is better for WordPress: StackPath Web Application Firewall or Wordfence Security?
Wordfence Security is particularly well-suited for WordPress with specialized features. For WordPress-specific threats like plugin vulnerabilities and brute force attacks, look for providers with WordPress-specific rule sets.