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Head-to-head · DDoS Protection Software

Akamai Prolexic vs AWS Shield

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score Akamai Prolexic #2 in DDoS Protection Software 9.2/10 Pricing on request ✓ 1 of 2 features Try Akamai Prolexic
AWS Shield #4 in DDoS Protection Software 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 2 features Visit AWS Shield

Akamai Prolexic leads on 0 checks, AWS Shield on 1, and 2 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreAkamai Prolexic · 9.2/10
  • Free planonly AWS Shield
  • Most featuresAWS Shield · 2 of 2

Akamai Prolexic scores higher on our rubric for ddos protection software: 9.2 against 9.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #4.

On attack layers, AWS Shield gives you Both where Akamai Prolexic offers Network. On mitigation mode, Akamai Prolexic gives you Hybrid where AWS Shield offers Always-on. On deployment model, Akamai Prolexic gives you Hybrid where AWS Shield offers Cloud. AWS Shield offers waf included; Akamai Prolexic doesn't.

Akamai Prolexic is the better fit for large enterprises needing global managed mitigation. AWS Shield is the better fit for AWS-native teams needing layered protection.

  • Akamai Prolexic fits best

    Large enterprises needing global managed mitigation

  • AWS Shield fits best

    AWS-native teams needing layered protection

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Akamai Prolexic 9.2/10 Visit ↗ AWS Shield 9.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 9.0
Ranking #2 in DDoS Protection Software #4 in DDoS Protection Software
Best for Large enterprises needing global managed mitigation AWS-native teams needing layered protection
Pricing model Paid Free plan + paid
Starting price Pricing on request —
Free plan Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted Cloud
Platforms Web Web
Integrations 3 integrations 5 integrations
Built for Enterprise, Mid-market Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Akamai Prolexic 1/2 · AWS Shield 2/2
Managed mitigation ✓ ✓
WAF included — ✓ (best)
Specs
Attack layers Network Both
Mitigation mode Hybrid Always-on
Deployment model Hybrid Cloud
Protection capacity Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Covers DDoS detection and mitigation across all ports and protocols
  • Supports cloud, on-premises, hybrid, always-on, and on-demand deployments
  • Offers 20+ Tbps capacity with zero-second mitigation and 100% availability SLAs
  • Free Standard tier covers common network and transport-layer attacks
  • Advanced adds AWS WAF application-layer protection and monitoring
  • Integrates with EC2, CloudFront, Route 53, and other AWS services
Cons
  • Pricing uses a contact-sales model rather than published plan tiers
  • WAF and application-layer protection are separate from Prolexic
  • Its extensive connectivity options may exceed smaller organizations' needs
  • Shield Advanced starts at $3,000 per month
  • Advanced requires a one-year subscription commitment
  • Response Team access requires Business or Enterprise AWS Support
Our verdict

Akamai Prolexic is a managed DDoS protection service for enterprises, service providers, and SaaS, PaaS, and IaaS platforms. It inspects and filters traffic through Akamai scrubbing infrastructure, with coverage across all ports and…

Read the review →

AWS Shield is a managed DDoS protection service for applications and networks hosted on AWS. Shield Standard automatically protects AWS customers against common network and transport-layer DDoS events at no additional charge. Shield…

Read the review →
  1. Akamai ProlexicDDoS Protection Software 9.2Pricing on request
  2. AWS ShieldDDoS Protection Software 9.0Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Akamai Prolexic — where it wins

    • Covers DDoS detection and mitigation across all ports and protocols
    • Supports cloud, on-premises, hybrid, always-on, and on-demand deployments
    • Offers 20+ Tbps capacity with zero-second mitigation and 100% availability SLAs

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing uses a contact-sales model rather than published plan tiers
    • WAF and application-layer protection are separate from Prolexic
    • Its extensive connectivity options may exceed smaller organizations' needs

  • AWS Shield — where it wins

    • Free Standard tier covers common network and transport-layer attacks
    • Advanced adds AWS WAF application-layer protection and monitoring
    • Integrates with EC2, CloudFront, Route 53, and other AWS services

    Where it doesn't

    • Shield Advanced starts at $3,000 per month
    • Advanced requires a one-year subscription commitment
    • Response Team access requires Business or Enterprise AWS Support

More comparisons

All DDoS protection software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update