AWS Web Application Firewall vs Sophos Firewall (XGS)
Both AWS Web Application Firewall and Sophos Firewall (XGS) are capable WAF solutions. The right choice depends on your specific infrastructure, budget, and feature requirements.
Overview
AWS Web Application Firewall and Sophos Firewall (XGS) are both popular web application firewall solutions. This comparison will help you understand the key differences and choose the right one for your needs.
Native AWS WAF with pay-per-use pricing starting at $5/mo per Web ACL, $1/rule, and $0.60 per million requests. Protects CloudFront, ALB, and API Gateway workloads.
Next-gen firewall (SFOS on XGS appliances) with a built-in reverse-proxy Web Application Firewall via its Web Server Protection module; the active successor to the end-of-life Sophos UTM.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | AWS Web Application Firewall | Sophos Firewall (XGS) |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 4.3/5 | 3.8/5 |
| Free Tier | No | Yes |
| Pricing Model | Pay-per-use (rules + requests) | Appliance plus subscription (varies by appliance and subscription bundle) |
| Ease of Use | 3.5/5 | 3.9/5 |
| Value for Money | 4.0/5 | 4.0/5 |
| Support | 4.0/5 | 3.8/5 |
| Platforms | AWS CloudFront, ALB, API Gateway, AppSync, Cognito, App Runner, Verified Access | XGS Series hardware appliances, virtual (VMware, Hyper-V, KVM), software/Home Edition, and cloud (Firewall in AWS and Azure) |
| Compliance | SOC 1/2/3, PCI DSS, HIPAA, FedRAMP, ISO 27001 | Common Criteria, FIPS-validated cryptography (model dependent) |
Pricing Comparison
AWS Web Application Firewall
Model: Pay-per-use (rules + requests)
Small (1 ACL, 10 rules)
$15/month + $0.60/M requests
Medium (2 ACL, 25 rules)
$35/month + $0.60/M requests
Large (5 ACL, 50 rules)
$75/month + $0.60/M requests
Sophos Firewall (XGS)
Model: Appliance plus subscription (varies by appliance and subscription bundle)
Free Tier AvailableHome Edition
Free
Xstream Protection (Commercial)
Custom pricing
Features Comparison
AWS Web Application Firewall
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AWS Managed Rules
Pre-configured rule groups maintained by AWS and AWS Marketplace sellers for common threats.
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Custom Rules
Build your own rules using conditions like IP addresses, HTTP headers, URI strings, and more.
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Rate-Based Rules
Automatically block IPs that exceed defined request thresholds.
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Bot Control
Managed rule group for detecting and managing bot traffic (additional cost).
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Fraud Control
Account takeover prevention and creation fraud detection for login/signup pages.
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Firewall Manager Integration
Centrally configure and manage WAF rules across multiple AWS accounts.
Sophos Firewall (XGS)
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Reverse-Proxy WAF
Apache-based reverse proxy that protects published web servers against SQL injection, cross-site scripting, directory traversal, and other common web attacks.
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Form Hardening
Signs and validates form fields to prevent manipulation of submitted web forms.
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URL Hardening
Restricts accessible URLs based on the learned structure of the protected application.
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Cookie Signing
Cryptographically signs cookies to detect and block tampering.
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Reverse-Proxy Authentication
Adds basic or form-based authentication policies in front of published web servers via WAF rules.
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Antivirus Scanning
Scans uploads and traffic to protected web servers for malware as part of Web Server Protection.
Which One Is Right for You?
The best WAF depends on your specific requirements, infrastructure, and team expertise.
AWS Web Application Firewall
- You need: AWS-native applications, organizations already invested in AWS ecosystem, variable traffic workloads, multi-account AWS environments
- You're using: AWS CloudFront, ALB, API Gateway, AppSync, Cognito, App Runner, Verified Access
Sophos Firewall (XGS)
- You need: Organizations already running Sophos Firewall, businesses wanting WAF and network security in one appliance, home labs and educational users via the free Home Edition
- You want to start with a free tier
- You're using: XGS Series hardware appliances, virtual (VMware, Hyper-V, KVM), software/Home Edition, and cloud (Firewall in AWS and Azure)
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: AWS Web Application Firewall or Sophos Firewall (XGS)?
Sophos Firewall (XGS) offers a free tier while AWS Web Application Firewall does not, making Sophos Firewall (XGS) more accessible for budget-conscious startups. Sophos Firewall (XGS) scores higher for ease of use (3.9/5), which is valuable for smaller teams. Consider your immediate security needs and growth plans when choosing.
Which has better support: AWS Web Application Firewall or Sophos Firewall (XGS)?
AWS Web Application Firewall has a higher support rating (4.0/5) compared to Sophos Firewall (XGS) (3.8/5). 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: AWS Web Application Firewall or Sophos Firewall (XGS)?
Sophos Firewall (XGS) scores higher for ease of use (3.9/5) versus AWS Web Application Firewall (3.5/5). The actual implementation effort depends on your existing infrastructure and team expertise.
Which is more cost-effective: AWS Web Application Firewall or Sophos Firewall (XGS)?
Sophos Firewall (XGS) offers a free tier while AWS Web Application Firewall requires a paid plan. Total cost depends on your traffic volume, required features, and support level needs.
Which works better with AWS: AWS Web Application Firewall or Sophos Firewall (XGS)?
AWS Web Application Firewall is AWS's native WAF solution, offering the tightest integration with AWS services like CloudFront, ALB, and API Gateway. Sophos Firewall (XGS) can also protect AWS workloads but requires additional configuration. Consider whether native AWS integration or cross-cloud portability matters more for your use case.