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AWS WAF

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Company health

Employee growth
11% increase in the last year
Web traffic
10% increase in the last quarter

Ratings

G2
4.3/5
(69)
Glassdoor
3.7/5
(206324)

AWS WAF description

AWS WAF is a software tool that acts like a shield for your company's website or web applications. It identifies and blocks malicious web traffic from reaching your website, preventing potential attacks. This helps keep your website running smoothly and protects your sensitive data from being compromised. AWS WAF is designed to be user-friendly and offers customizable security rules to fit your specific needs.


Who is AWS WAF best for

AWS WAF is a web application firewall that protects against common web exploits and malicious traffic. It’s easily scalable and integrates with other AWS services. Users appreciate its effectiveness but note setup can be complex and potentially expensive.

  • Best for medium to enterprise companies.

  • Ideal for software, IT, telecommunications, and related industries.


AWS WAF features

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

AWS WAF allows custom rules for filtering traffic based on various HTTP request attributes.

Supported

AWS WAF protects against SQL injection, XSS, OWASP Top 10 vulnerabilities, and HTTP floods. It also supports custom rules.

Supported

AWS WAF blocks inbound traffic based on configurable rules and patterns.


AWS WAF reviews

We've summarised 68 AWS WAF reviews (AWS WAF G2 reviews) and summarised the main points below.

Pros of AWS WAF
  • Effectively blocks malicious traffic and protects against common web exploits.
  • Managed rules offer quick and easy setup for basic protection.
  • Customizable rules provide granular control over security policies.
  • Scalable to handle varying traffic levels and protect against DDoS attacks.
  • Integrates seamlessly with other AWS services like CloudFront and ALB.
Cons of AWS WAF
  • Difficult setup and configuration can be time-consuming, especially for complex rules.
  • Limited logging functionality makes in-depth analysis challenging.
  • AWS WAF can be expensive, especially with numerous rules and high traffic volume.
  • False positives can occur, requiring further rule adjustments.
  • Limited ability to whitelist IPs can hinder legitimate traffic during load testing.

AWS WAF pricing

The commentary is based on 14 reviews from AWS WAF G2 reviews.

AWS WAF pricing follows a pay-as-you-go model, which is generally considered affordable, especially compared to other commercial options. However, costs can accumulate with increased traffic, more complex rules, and added features like bot control. Some users find the pricing structure complex and potentially expensive for high-traffic sites.

See the AWS WAF pricing page.


AWS WAF alternatives

  • Logo of Reblaze
    Reblaze
    Better fit for smaller companies. Fully managed, simplifying website security. A strong AWS WAF competitor for those prioritizing ease of use.
    Read more
  • Logo of Frontline Insights Platform
    Frontline Insights Platform
    Better fit for K-12 education administration in the USA. More focused on HR, business operations, and student management. There is no data about website traffic growth.
    Read more
  • Logo of Crunchy PostgreSQL for Kubernetes
    Crunchy PostgreSQL for Kubernetes
    Better for companies preferring open-source database solutions. Specifically designed for Kubernetes, simplifying PostgreSQL management. A strong AWS WAF competitor for cloud-native deployments.
    Read more
  • Logo of Kontent.ai
    Kontent.ai
    Better for content management and omnichannel delivery. A strong AWS WAF competitor for mid-sized to large companies with complex content needs. Slower growth trajectory than AWS WAF.
    Read more
  • Logo of Unscript
    Unscript
    Better for smaller businesses seeking automated video creation. Focuses on AI video generation for marketing and communications, unlike AWS WAF's web application firewall function. Has significantly more momentum, making it a rapidly evolving AWS WAF competitor and alternative.
    Read more
  • Logo of Data Extraction
    Data Extraction
    Better fit for small to medium-sized businesses focused on ecommerce and retail. A good AWS WAF competitor for those seeking website data analysis, not website security.
    Read more

AWS WAF FAQ

  • What is AWS WAF and what does AWS WAF do?

    AWS WAF is a web application firewall that protects your web applications and APIs from common web exploits and bots. It filters malicious traffic, allowing you to customize rules to block specific threats. AWS WAF integrates with other AWS services and helps safeguard your data and application availability.

  • How does AWS WAF integrate with other tools?

    AWS WAF integrates seamlessly with other AWS services, such as Amazon CloudFront and Elastic Load Balancing. This allows for centralized security management and automated protection of your web applications. It supports custom rules and integrates with AWS Security Hub for a comprehensive security overview.

  • What the main competitors of AWS WAF?

    Top alternatives to AWS WAF include Reblaze, which offers comprehensive website protection and traffic management. Other competitors, focusing on different security aspects, are Imperva and Cloudflare. Consider these alternatives depending on your specific security needs and budget.

  • Is AWS WAF legit?

    Yes, AWS WAF is a legitimate security service offered by Amazon Web Services. It effectively safeguards websites and applications from malicious traffic and common web exploits. It's a trusted tool for enhancing website security.

  • How much does AWS WAF cost?

    AWS WAF pricing is based on the number of web access control lists (WAF ACLs) used and the number of rules per ACL. There's a charge per rule and a metered charge for processed web requests. Check the AWS website for specific pricing details.

  • Is AWS WAF customer service good?

    AWS WAF customer support is generally considered responsive and helpful, enabling users to resolve issues quickly. Users appreciate the readily available support for their queries and concerns.


Reviewed by

MK
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.

TT
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.