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Head-to-head · DDoS Protection Software

Akamai Prolexic vs Imperva DDoS Protection

  • 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
Imperva DDoS Protection #5 in DDoS Protection Software 8.9/10 Pricing on request ✓ 1 of 2 features Visit Imperva

Akamai Prolexic leads on 0 checks, Imperva DDoS Protection on 0, and 3 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

Akamai Prolexic scores higher on our rubric for ddos protection software: 9.2 against 8.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #5.

On attack layers, Imperva DDoS Protection gives you Both where Akamai Prolexic offers Network. On deployment model, Akamai Prolexic gives you Hybrid where Imperva DDoS Protection offers Cloud.

Akamai Prolexic is the better fit for large enterprises needing global managed mitigation. Imperva DDoS Protection is the better fit for organizations needing cloud DDoS and WAF alignment.

  • Akamai Prolexic fits best

    Large enterprises needing global managed mitigation

  • Imperva DDoS Protection fits best

    Organizations needing cloud DDoS and WAF alignment

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 ↗ Imperva DDoS Protection 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.2 8.9
Ranking #2 in DDoS Protection Software #5 in DDoS Protection Software
Best for Large enterprises needing global managed mitigation Organizations needing cloud DDoS and WAF alignment
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price Pricing on request —
Free plan Not checked yet —
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted Cloud
Platforms Web Web
Integrations 3 integrations 3 integrations
Built for Enterprise, Mid-market Enterprise
Features Akamai Prolexic 1/2 · Imperva DDoS Protection 1/2
Managed mitigation ✓ ✓
WAF included — Not checked yet
Specs
Attack layers Network Both
Mitigation mode Hybrid Hybrid
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
  • Protects both network-layer and application-layer traffic
  • Offers automated mitigation, Anycast routing, and 13 Tbps capacity
  • Connects with SIEM systems and Imperva cloud WAF
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
  • Requires sales contact for pricing
  • Deployment options may require GRE or cross-connect configuration
  • Web platform only, with no free plan
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 →

Imperva DDoS Protection is a cloud-based service for organizations defending websites, APIs, network infrastructure, DNS servers, and internet-facing IPs. It covers Layer 3/4 volumetric and protocol attacks alongside Layer 7 application…

Read the review →
  1. Akamai ProlexicDDoS Protection Software 9.2Pricing on request
  2. Imperva DDoS ProtectionDDoS Protection Software 8.9Pricing on request

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

  • Imperva DDoS Protection — where it wins

    • Protects both network-layer and application-layer traffic
    • Offers automated mitigation, Anycast routing, and 13 Tbps capacity
    • Connects with SIEM systems and Imperva cloud WAF

    Where it doesn't

    • Requires sales contact for pricing
    • Deployment options may require GRE or cross-connect configuration
    • Web platform only, with no free plan
  • Akamai Prolexic9.2/10 · Pricing on request

    A managed, hybrid DDoS defense service for enterprises with complex network protection needs.

    Try Akamai ProlexicFull verdict →
  • Imperva DDoS Protection8.9/10 · Pricing on request

    Managed Layer 3/4 and Layer 7 protection with always-on or on-demand mitigation.

    Visit ImpervaFull verdict →

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