Cloudflare WAF vs AWS WAF
Cloudflare WAF and AWS WAF both protect web applications from attacks, but from different architectural positions. Cloudflare WAF is bundled with CDN, DDoS mitigation, and DNS - it sits in front of your infrastructure regardless of where it is hosted. AWS WAF is tightly integrated with AWS services (CloudFront, ALB, API Gateway) but is limited to AWS-hosted resources.
Build a custom alternative freeSide-by-side
Web application firewall with CDN and DDoS protection vs Web application firewall for AWS resources.
| Feature | Cloudflare WAF | AWS WAF |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing from | Free / $20/month | $5/rule/month |
| CDN bundled | Yes - Cloudflare CDN included | No - separate CloudFront cost |
| DDoS protection | Strong - always-on | Via AWS Shield |
| Works with non-AWS hosting | Yes | No - AWS resources only |
| Rule management | Visual dashboard, managed rulesets | JSON/API heavy, developer-centric |
| Pricing | Free / $20/month (Pro) / $200/month (Business) | $5-10/rule/month + ACU charges |
| Best for | Any infrastructure, speed and DDoS focus | AWS-native architectures |
The third option most teams miss
Picking between Cloudflare WAF and AWS WAF isn't the only choice.
For security teams that need custom security dashboards and WAF rule change tracking, Appaca builds the internal security ops tooling.
- No code, no deployment, no devops
- Built-in database, dashboards, team access
- Refine with chat as your needs change
- Free to start, no per-seat pricing surprises
Common questions
For most organizations, Cloudflare WAF is easier to configure, includes CDN and DDoS protection, and works with any hosting provider. AWS WAF is the better choice when you are fully AWS-native and need tight integration with ALB and CloudFront without adding another vendor.
Appaca is a third option for teams that don't want to choose between two existing tools. Instead of forcing your workflow into someone else's product, Appaca builds a custom app from a description - with built-in database, hosting, and team access. Try it free at appaca.ai.