F5 NGINX vs Cloudflare Application Security and Performance

by Gralio Feb 20, 2025

F5 NGINX and Cloudflare Application Security and Performance cater to different needs. NGINX excels in performance and load balancing for demanding applications, while Cloudflare offers a broader, easier-to-use platform with robust security features. Mid-sized businesses should consider their technical expertise and specific requirements when choosing between the two.

At Gralio.ai we help to simplify your decision-making process by offering detailed, side-by-side software comparisons like this one, to help you confidently choose the tool that aligns with your business goals.

This comparison was created by analysing 633 reviews and 60 websites, saving 4 hours, 1 minute of reading.

F5 NGINX

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Cloudflare Application Security and Performance

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About

F5 NGINX is a suite of software tools designed to build and run high-performance websites and applications. It helps companies handle large volumes of online traffic, improve the speed and reliability of their websites and applications, and protect them from cyberattacks. F5 NGINX is used by many large companies, particularly in industries like technology and media, where handling high volumes of traffic is crucial.

Cloudflare Application Security and Performance safeguards and optimizes your online applications and digital presence. It acts as a protective shield against cyberattacks, while simultaneously boosting speed and reliability for your users. This comprehensive platform consolidates various security and performance tools, simplifying your IT infrastructure. Cloudflare caters to a wide range of businesses, from small startups to large enterprises, seeking a unified solution for their online security and performance needs. It promises enhanced protection, faster loading times, and simplified IT management.

Summary

Main difference

F5 NGINX offers more specialized performance and load balancing features, making it ideal for businesses with complex web applications and high traffic demands. Cloudflare Application Security and Performance provides a broader suite of security and performance tools within a user-friendly platform, making it better suited for businesses seeking a simplified, all-in-one solution.

Relative strengths of F5 NGINX (compared to Cloudflare Application Security and Performance)

Superior load balancing capabilities for complex applications.
Advanced performance optimization tools for high-traffic websites.
Greater control over server configurations and customization.

Relative weaknesses of F5 NGINX (compared to Cloudflare Application Security and Performance)

Less comprehensive security features compared to Cloudflare.
Steeper learning curve and more complex setup.
Potentially higher costs for advanced features and support.

Who should use F5 NGINX VS. Cloudflare Application Security and Performance

F5 NGINX is a powerful suite of software tools designed for building and running high-performance websites and applications. It excels at handling large volumes of online traffic, improving speed and reliability, and protecting against cyberattacks. Its key features include load balancing integration, HTTP/2 support, and robust performance monitoring. F5 NGINX is a popular choice among large companies in the technology and media sectors.

Cloudflare Application Security and Performance offers businesses enhanced security, performance, and reliability. Easy setup and a user-friendly dashboard are praised, while some users note inconsistent customer support. Consider Cloudflare for improved website performance and robust security features, but be mindful of potential support challenges.

Best fit for small, medium, and enterprise companies.
Ideal for Software, IT, & Telecommunications businesses.

Ideal for small to large businesses needing enhanced online security and performance.
Strong fit for E-commerce and Software/IT; suitable for various other industries.

F5 NGINX and Cloudflare Application Security and Performance features

Supported

Partially supported

Not supported

Type in the name of the feature or in your own words tell us what you need

CDN network

Partially supported

F5 NGINX does not directly serve images from a CDN, but F5 offers a CDN solution that integrates with NGINX.

Supported

Cloudflare offers a CDN to serve images for faster loading.
Caching functionality

Supported

NGINX supports caching to improve website loading speeds.

Supported

Cloudflare offers various caching features to improve website loading speeds.
Performance monitoring

Supported

NGINX supports performance monitoring via NGINX One, Amplify, and Plus.

Supported

Cloudflare provides performance monitoring including website speed and loading times.
Security monitoring

Partially supported

NGINX offers DNS protection and security monitoring but real-time DNS infrastructure threat monitoring is not explicitly mentioned.

Supported

Cloudflare offers DNS security features including DDoS mitigation and DNSSEC.
CDN integration

Partially supported

NGINX can be part of a CDN strategy, especially with F5 Distributed Cloud.

Supported

Cloudflare itself is a CDN and integrates with applications to improve performance and security.
Content Delivery Network (CDN)

Partially supported

F5 NGINX can enhance content delivery via integration with F5 Distributed Cloud CDN.

Supported

Cloudflare offers a Content Delivery Network (CDN) to enhance website performance.

Qualities

Value and Pricing Transparency

No data

-0.11

Neutral sentiment
Customer Service

No data

-0.33

Rather negative sentiment
Ease of Use

No data

+0.79

Strongly positive sentiment
Reliability and Performance

No data

+0.65

Rather positive sentiment
Ease of Implementation

No data

+0.22

Neutral sentiment
Scalability

No data

+1

Strongly positive sentiment

F5 NGINX and Cloudflare Application Security and Performance Pricing

F5 NGINX offers various products like NGINX One, NGINX App Protect, and NGINX as a Service for Azure. These are available through annual enterprise subscriptions. Contact F5 sales for detailed pricing information. Several packaging options are available for NGINX One, including Per Instance and for Kubernetes. NGINX App Protect is offered as a standalone product or as part of NGINX One. NGINX as a Service for Azure is a pay-as-you-go service billed per consumption unit per hour.

See full Pricing page

No data

User sentiment

Neutral

-0.11

We couldn't find a pricing page for Cloudflare Application Security and Performance.

F5 NGINX and Cloudflare Application Security and Performance review insights

633 reviews analysed from

Users love

High performance and speed, especially for static content and high concurrency.
Lightweight and low resource usage.
Open-source and free to use, with a large and active community.
Easy setup and configuration for basic use cases.
Versatile, acting as a web server, reverse proxy, load balancer, and cache.

Easy setup and configuration through a user-friendly dashboard
Effective DDoS protection and mitigation capabilities
Free SSL certificates and other cost-effective features
Widely available global CDN for improved website performance
Comprehensive security features like WAF and bot management

Users dislike

Difficult configuration for complex setups or advanced features.
Limited GUI functionality in the free version, requiring external tools or NGINX Plus.
Documentation can be lacking, especially for non-English speakers and advanced configurations.
Limited Windows support compared to Linux.

Inconsistent or unresponsive customer support, especially for billing issues
Confusing pricing structure and potential hidden costs
Occasional routing problems and content delivery inconsistencies
Limited documentation for certain advanced features
Potential false positives in bot detection and security rules

F5 NGINX and Cloudflare Application Security and Performance Ratings

G2

4.6/5

(106)
Glassdoor

5.0/5

(1)

G2

4.5/5

(533)
Glassdoor

3.4/5

(724)

Company health

Employee growth

2% increase in the last year

21% increase in the last year

Web traffic

8% decrease in the last quarter

1% increase in the last quarter

Financing

April 2009 - $25M

December 2018 - $332M

How do NGINX and Cloudflare differ in HTTP/2 implementation?

NGINX acts as a reverse proxy and web server that can be configured to use HTTP/2 for communication between itself and clients. Cloudflare, as a CDN, uses HTTP/2 between its edge servers and clients by default, optimizing delivery across its network. The primary difference lies in where HTTP/2 is implemented: NGINX uses it for origin server connections, while Cloudflare leverages it for client-facing delivery from its edge network.

Which product offers better integration with existing CDN infrastructure?

Cloudflare offers better integration with existing CDN infrastructure because it *is* a CDN. NGINX can integrate with CDNs, but Cloudflare's core functionality is CDN services, making integration seamless as it is the infrastructure itself.

What are the advantages of F5 NGINX?

F5 NGINX excels in providing robust load balancing capabilities and supports HTTP/2 for efficient content delivery. It also offers performance monitoring through its NGINX One, Amplify, and Plus platforms. This focus on performance and traffic management makes it particularly suitable for organizations with high-traffic websites and applications.

What are the disadvantages of F5 NGINX?

NGINX, while powerful, can have a steeper learning curve compared to some alternatives, potentially requiring more specialized expertise for configuration and management. Specific pricing details are not readily available, which can make cost comparisons challenging. User reviews lack specific details regarding common dislikes or issues encountered. Finally, industry-specific suitability data is limited, making it harder to assess its fit for certain sectors.

Alternatives to F5 NGINX and Cloudflare Application Security and Performance

HAProxy

HAProxy is a popular software tool that helps balance internet traffic to ensure websites and applications run smoothly and reliably, even with large numbers of users. Businesses use HAProxy to improve their online services by making them fast, secure, and always available.

StackPath

StackPath is a platform offering security and performance tools for websites and online applications. It helps businesses protect their online presence from cyberattacks and ensures fast loading times for users. Key features include content delivery, web application firewall, and protection against distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks. StackPath is designed for businesses of all sizes that prioritize online security and reliability.

Akamai Network Operator

Akamai Network Operator is a suite of tools focusing on optimizing and securing network infrastructure for businesses. It provides services for managing traffic flow, boosting security, and improving the performance of websites and applications. This is achieved through a globally distributed network that helps deliver content faster and protect against cyberattacks. Akamai Network Operator is particularly beneficial for companies with high-traffic websites and online services where speed and security are critical.

Cequence Security

Cequence Security protects your company's applications and data. It finds vulnerabilities, helps you fix them, and stops attacks in real-time. Think of it as a three-part system: it discovers and tracks your software connections, makes sure they follow security rules, and blocks dangerous users like hackers and bots. Cequence is used by many large companies, proving its reliability for businesses of all sizes.

Vanta

Vanta is a security and compliance platform designed to help businesses automate their compliance processes for various standards like SOC 2, ISO 27001, and HIPAA. It enables you to connect existing tools, receive guidance on fixing security gaps, and prepare for audits more efficiently. Vanta aims to simplify compliance, manage risk, and build trust with stakeholders through automation and continuous monitoring, making it easier for businesses to meet regulatory requirements and gain a competitive advantage.

GitHub

GitHub is a website and cloud-based service that helps developers store and manage their code. It's like Google Docs for software development, where teams can work together on projects, track changes, and prevent errors. GitHub is known for its user-friendly interface and is used by companies of all sizes to build and maintain software.

Page co-authored by

Michal Kaczor

CEO at Gralio

Michal has worked at startups for many years and writes about topics relating to software selection and IT management. As a former consultant for Bain, a business advisory company, he also knows how to understand needs of any business and find solutions to its problems.

Tymon Terlikiewicz

CTO at Gralio

Tymon is a seasoned CTO who loves finding the perfect tools for any task. He recently headed up the tech department at Batmaid, a well-known Swiss company, where he managed about 60 software purchases, including CX, HR, Payroll, Marketing automation and various developer tools.

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