CDNetworks Application Shield vs LiteSpeed Web Server WAF

Both CDNetworks Application Shield and LiteSpeed Web Server WAF are capable WAF solutions. The right choice depends on your specific infrastructure, budget, and feature requirements.

View CDNetworks Application Shield Review View LiteSpeed Web Server WAF Review

Overview

CDNetworks Application Shield and LiteSpeed Web Server WAF are both popular web application firewall solutions. This comparison will help you understand the key differences and choose the right one for your needs.

Cloud-based WAF integrated with CDNetworks' global CDN, offering signature-based threat detection, DDoS protection, and bot management across 1,500+ points of presence worldwide.

Built-in WAF module for LiteSpeed Web Server providing ModSecurity-compatible protection with high performance and low resource usage.

Quick Comparison

Feature CDNetworks Application Shield LiteSpeed Web Server WAF
Overall Rating 3.7/5 3.8/5
Free Tier No Yes
Pricing Model Custom pricing, usage-based Per-server license
Ease of Use 3.5/5 4.0/5
Value for Money 3.5/5 4.5/5
Support 3.8/5 3.5/5
Platforms Any web application, cloud-hosted sites, on-premises origins Linux servers
Compliance PCI DSS, ISO 27001, SOC 2 PCI DSS (with proper configuration)

Pricing Comparison

CDNetworks Application Shield

Model: Custom pricing, usage-based

Application Shield Standard

Custom pricing

Application Shield Advanced

Custom pricing

View full pricing →

LiteSpeed Web Server WAF

Model: Per-server license

Free Tier Available

OpenLiteSpeed

Free

LiteSpeed Enterprise

From $0 (1-worker) to $92/month

View full pricing →

Features Comparison

CDNetworks Application Shield

  • Edge-Based WAF

    WAF filtering at 1,500+ global edge locations for low-latency protection close to end users.

  • DDoS Protection

    Multi-layer DDoS mitigation covering network (L3/L4) and application (L7) layer attacks.

  • Bot Management

    Identify and manage automated traffic including scrapers, credential stuffers, and inventory hoarders.

  • API Protection

    Secure APIs against abuse, injection attacks, and unauthorized access with dedicated API security rules.

  • Virtual Patching

    Quickly mitigate known vulnerabilities without modifying application code.

  • Real-Time Analytics

    Comprehensive dashboards showing attack trends, blocked requests, and traffic patterns.

LiteSpeed Web Server WAF

  • ModSecurity Compatibility

    Supports ModSecurity rules with significantly better performance than Apache mod_security.

  • Built-In WAF

    WAF integrated directly into the web server for minimal overhead.

  • OWASP CRS Support

    Compatible with the OWASP Core Rule Set; CRS must be enabled and the rule set installed, it is not active by default.

Which One Is Right for You?

The best WAF depends on your specific requirements, infrastructure, and team expertise.

CDNetworks Application Shield

  • You need: Businesses with significant Asian traffic, organizations needing combined CDN and WAF, enterprises targeting China market
  • You're using: Any web application, cloud-hosted sites, on-premises origins
Learn more →

LiteSpeed Web Server WAF

  • You need: Hosting providers, WordPress sites on LiteSpeed, organizations wanting server-level WAF
  • You want to start with a free tier
  • You're using: Linux servers
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: CDNetworks Application Shield or LiteSpeed Web Server WAF?

LiteSpeed Web Server WAF offers a free tier while CDNetworks Application Shield does not, making LiteSpeed Web Server WAF more accessible for budget-conscious startups. LiteSpeed Web Server WAF scores higher for ease of use (4.0/5), which is valuable for smaller teams. Consider your immediate security needs and growth plans when choosing.

Which has better support: CDNetworks Application Shield or LiteSpeed Web Server WAF?

CDNetworks Application Shield has a higher support rating (3.8/5) compared to LiteSpeed Web Server WAF (3.5/5). 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: CDNetworks Application Shield or LiteSpeed Web Server WAF?

LiteSpeed Web Server WAF scores higher for ease of use (4.0/5) versus CDNetworks Application Shield (3.5/5). The actual implementation effort depends on your existing infrastructure and team expertise.

Which is more cost-effective: CDNetworks Application Shield or LiteSpeed Web Server WAF?

LiteSpeed Web Server WAF offers a free tier while CDNetworks Application Shield requires a paid plan. LiteSpeed Web Server WAF scores higher for value (4.5/5). Total cost depends on your traffic volume, required features, and support level needs.

Which is better for enterprise: CDNetworks Application Shield or LiteSpeed Web Server WAF?

CDNetworks Application Shield is positioned for enterprise use cases, while LiteSpeed Web Server WAF may be more suited for small to mid-market organizations. Both offer compliance certifications important for enterprise. Enterprise buyers should evaluate SLAs, support options, and integration capabilities.