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Head-to-head · DDoS Protection Software

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

AWS Shield leads on 1 check, Imperva 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 planonly AWS Shield
  • Most featuresAWS Shield · 2 of 2

AWS Shield scores higher on our rubric for ddos protection software: 9.0 against 8.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #5.

AWS Shield offers free plan; Imperva DDoS Protection doesn't. On mitigation mode, Imperva DDoS Protection gives you Hybrid where AWS Shield offers Always-on.

AWS Shield is the better fit for AWS-native teams needing layered protection. Imperva DDoS Protection is the better fit for organizations needing cloud DDoS and WAF alignment.

  • AWS Shield fits best

    AWS-native teams needing layered protection

  • 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 AWS Shield 9.0/10 Visit ↗ Imperva DDoS Protection 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.0 8.9
Ranking #4 in DDoS Protection Software #5 in DDoS Protection Software
Best for AWS-native teams needing layered protection Organizations needing cloud DDoS and WAF alignment
Pricing model Free plan + paid Paid
Starting price — —
Free plan ✓ (best) —
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud Cloud
Platforms Web Web
Support Community, Docs Email, Phone, Community, Docs
Integrations 5 integrations 3 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Enterprise
Features AWS Shield 2/2 · Imperva DDoS Protection 1/2
Managed mitigation ✓ ✓
WAF included ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Specs
Attack layers Both Both
Mitigation mode Always-on Hybrid
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
  • 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
  • Shield Advanced starts at $3,000 per month
  • Advanced requires a one-year subscription commitment
  • Response Team access requires Business or Enterprise AWS Support
  • Requires sales contact for pricing
  • Deployment options may require GRE or cross-connect configuration
  • Web platform only, with no free plan
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 →

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. AWS ShieldDDoS Protection Software 9.0Free plan
  2. Imperva DDoS ProtectionDDoS Protection Software 8.9Pricing on request

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

  • 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
  • AWS Shield9.0/10 · Free plan

    A layered AWS-native option with free baseline coverage and a $3,000 Advanced tier.

    Visit AWS ShieldFull 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