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Head-to-head · DDoS Protection Software

AWS Shield vs Azure DDoS Protection

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score AWS Shield #4 in DDoS Protection Software 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 2 features Visit AWS Shield
Azure DDoS Protection #12 in DDoS Protection Software 8.2/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 1 of 2 features Visit Microsoft

AWS Shield leads on 1 check, Azure DDoS Protection on 0, 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 scoreAWS Shield · 9.0/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresAWS Shield · 2 of 2

AWS Shield scores higher on our rubric for ddos protection software: 9.0 against 8.2 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #12.

On attack layers, AWS Shield gives you Both where Azure DDoS Protection offers Network. AWS Shield offers waf included; Azure DDoS Protection doesn't.

AWS Shield is the better fit for AWS-native teams needing layered protection. Azure DDoS Protection is the better fit for azure teams needing network protection.

  • AWS Shield fits best

    AWS-native teams needing layered protection

  • Azure DDoS Protection fits best

    Azure teams needing network 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 AWS Shield 9.0/10 Visit ↗ Azure DDoS Protection 8.2/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.0 8.2
Ranking #4 in DDoS Protection Software #12 in DDoS Protection Software
Best for AWS-native teams needing layered protection Azure teams needing network protection
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price — $199/device/mo
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud Cloud
Platforms Web Web
Support Community, Docs Docs
Integrations 5 integrations 5 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features AWS Shield 2/2 · Azure DDoS Protection 1/2
Managed mitigation ✓ ✓
WAF included ✓ (best) —
Specs
Attack layers Both Network
Mitigation mode Always-on Always-on
Deployment model Cloud Cloud
Protection capacity Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • 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
  • Always-on monitoring with automatic Layer 3/4 mitigation
  • Adaptive traffic profiling, analytics, alerts, and reports
  • Azure Monitor, Sentinel, Defender, and SIEM integrations
Cons
  • Shield Advanced starts at $3,000 per month
  • Advanced requires a one-year subscription commitment
  • Response Team access requires Business or Enterprise AWS Support
  • Layer 7 protection requires a separate web application firewall
  • DDoS IP Protection covers an individual public IP resource
  • Network Protection adds monthly charges for additional IP resources
Our verdict

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 →

Azure DDoS Protection is a cloud service for organizations running public-facing workloads on Microsoft Azure. It continuously monitors resource traffic and automatically mitigates detected distributed denial-of-service attacks at Layers 3…

Read the review →
  1. AWS ShieldDDoS Protection Software 9.0Free plan
  2. Azure DDoS ProtectionDDoS Protection Software 8.2Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • 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

  • Azure DDoS Protection — where it wins

    • Always-on monitoring with automatic Layer 3/4 mitigation
    • Adaptive traffic profiling, analytics, alerts, and reports
    • Azure Monitor, Sentinel, Defender, and SIEM integrations

    Where it doesn't

    • Layer 7 protection requires a separate web application firewall
    • DDoS IP Protection covers an individual public IP resource
    • Network Protection adds monthly charges for additional IP resources

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