AWS WAF vs Google Cloud Armor

AWS WAF9.2Visit Google Cloud Armor8.8Visit

Higher score AWS WAF #2 in Web Application Firewall Software 9.2/10 Paid ✓ 4 of 4 features Visit AWS WAF

vs

Google Cloud Armor #6 in Web Application Firewall Software 8.8/10 Paid ✓ 4 of 4 features Visit Google Cloud

• AWS WAF fits best

  AWS-native applications needing flexible pricing

• Google Cloud Armor fits best

  Google Cloud users needing managed edge protection

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Side by side

Feature	AWS WAF 9.2/10 Visit ↗	Google Cloud Armor 8.8/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.2	8.8
Ranking	#2 in Web Application Firewall Software	#6 in Web Application Firewall Software
Best for	AWS-native applications needing flexible pricing	Google Cloud users needing managed edge protection
Pricing model	Paid	Paid
Starting price	$1/unit/mo	—
Free plan	—	—
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Cloud, Browser extension	Cloud
Platforms	Web	Web
Support	Docs	Community, Docs
Integrations	9 integrations	6 integrations
Built for	Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Mid-market, Enterprise
Features AWS WAF 4/4 · Google Cloud Armor 4/4
Managed rule sets	✓	✓
API protection	✓	✓
Bot management	✓	✓
Rate limiting	✓	✓
Specs
Deployment model	Hybrid	Edge
Log retention	Not checked yet	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Managed rules cover common web exploits, SQL injection, and cross-site scripting. Supports bot controls, rate limiting, CAPTCHA, and Layer 7 DDoS mitigation. Integrates with CloudFront, API Gateway, ALB, AppSync, and other AWS services.	Managed rules update for CVEs and zero-day vulnerabilities Protects backend services and APIs with custom policy rules Adds bot management, rate limiting, geo controls, and monitoring
Cons	No free plan is available. Rules and request processing add usage-based charges. Connected AWS services can incur separate charges.	Paid service with usage-based pricing Bot management is unavailable in Cloud Armor Standard Enterprise plans apply data processing fees
Our verdict	AWS WAF is a managed web application firewall for organizations operating applications on AWS. It monitors HTTP(S) requests sent to protected AWS resources and lets teams allow, block, count, challenge, or rate-limit traffic. Rules can use… Read the review →	Google Cloud Armor is a cloud network-security service for protecting applications, APIs, and backend services at Google’s network edge. It is aimed at teams running workloads on Google Cloud, as well as organizations connecting hybrid or… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• AWS WAF — where it wins

  • Managed rules cover common web exploits, SQL injection, and cross-site scripting.
  • Supports bot controls, rate limiting, CAPTCHA, and Layer 7 DDoS mitigation.
  • Integrates with CloudFront, API Gateway, ALB, AppSync, and other AWS services.

  Where it doesn't

  • No free plan is available.
  • Rules and request processing add usage-based charges.
  • Connected AWS services can incur separate charges.

• Google Cloud Armor — where it wins

  • Managed rules update for CVEs and zero-day vulnerabilities
  • Protects backend services and APIs with custom policy rules
  • Adds bot management, rate limiting, geo controls, and monitoring

  Where it doesn't

  • Paid service with usage-based pricing
  • Bot management is unavailable in Cloud Armor Standard
  • Enterprise plans apply data processing fees

• AWS WAF9.2/10 · Paid

  Flexible AWS-native protection with usage-based pricing that requires careful cost planning.

  Visit AWS WAFFull verdict →
• Google Cloud Armor8.8/10 · Paid

  A Google Cloud edge WAF with managed rules, API protection, bots, and rate controls.

  Visit Google CloudFull verdict →