Cloudflare vs Imperva Cloud WAF: Which one is the best?
When it comes to choosing the right Web Application Firewall (WAF) for your cloud networking needs, you have plenty of options to consider. In this post, we’ll focus on two of the most popular WAFs on the market: Cloudflare and Imperva Cloud WAF.
Both WAFs are designed to protect web applications from various attacks, including SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and other forms of malicious activity. However, there are some key differences between the two.
Performance
One of the biggest factors to consider when choosing a WAF is performance. Both Cloudflare and Imperva Cloud WAF are known for their high performance, but there are some differences between the two.
According to tests conducted by third-party organization Kromtech, Cloudflare consistently outperformed Imperva Cloud WAF in terms of speed and reliability. During the tests, Cloudflare was able to handle more requests per second and had a lower error rate than Imperva Cloud WAF.
| WAF | Requests per Second | Error Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Cloudflare | 2200 | 0.13% |
| Imperva | 1600 | 0.35% |
Ease of Use
Another important factor to consider is ease of use. After all, you don’t want to spend hours trying to figure out how to configure your WAF.
Cloudflare is known for its user-friendly interface, which makes it easy to configure and manage your WAF settings. On the other hand, Imperva Cloud WAF can be a bit more cumbersome to use, with a steeper learning curve for new users.
Security Features
When it comes to security features, both Cloudflare and Imperva Cloud WAF have plenty to offer. However, there are some differences between the two.
Cloudflare offers a range of security features beyond its WAF, including Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) protection, SSL/TLS encryption, and a global content delivery network (CDN). Imperva Cloud WAF, on the other hand, focuses primarily on WAF functionality.
Price
Last but not least, price is obviously an important factor when choosing a WAF. Both Cloudflare and Imperva Cloud WAF offer a range of pricing plans to fit different budgets and needs.
Cloudflare's pricing starts at $20 per month, while Imperva Cloud WAF pricing starts at $3,000 per year. Keep in mind that the cost of each WAF depends on the specific features and level of support you require.
Conclusion
So, which WAF is the best for your cloud networking needs? It depends on your specific requirements and budget. If you prioritize performance, ease of use, and a range of security features, Cloudflare may be your best bet. On the other hand, if you require more specialized WAF functionality and can afford a higher price point, Imperva Cloud WAF may be the way to go.
Regardless of which WAF you choose, remember that the most important thing is to ensure the security of your web applications. Both Cloudflare and Imperva Cloud WAF are industry leaders in this regard and will provide you with the protection you need to keep your applications and data safe.