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Head-to-head · Web Application Firewall Software

Azure Web Application Firewall vs F5 WAF for Distributed Cloud

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score Azure Web Application Firewall #7 in Web Application Firewall Software 8.7/10 Paid ✓ 4 of 4 features Visit site
F5 WAF for Distributed Cloud #8 in Web Application Firewall Software 8.6/10 Pricing on request ✓ 4 of 4 features Visit F5

Azure Web Application Firewall leads on 0 checks, F5 WAF for Distributed Cloud on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreAzure Web Application Firewall · 8.7/10

Azure Web Application Firewall scores higher on our rubric for web application firewall software: 8.7 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #7 and #8.

On deployment model, F5 WAF for Distributed Cloud gives you Hybrid where Azure Web Application Firewall offers Edge.

Azure Web Application Firewall is the better fit for azure users needing low-cost managed WAF controls. F5 WAF for Distributed Cloud is the better fit for organizations wanting flexible F5 hybrid deployment.

  • Azure Web Application Firewall fits best

    Azure users needing low-cost managed WAF controls

  • F5 WAF for Distributed Cloud fits best

    Organizations wanting flexible F5 hybrid deployment

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 Azure Web Application Firewall 8.7/10 Visit ↗ F5 WAF for Distributed Cloud 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.7 8.6
Ranking #7 in Web Application Firewall Software #8 in Web Application Firewall Software
Best for Azure users needing low-cost managed WAF controls Organizations wanting flexible F5 hybrid deployment
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price $5/mo Pricing on request
Free plan — —
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms Web Web
Support Docs, Community, Tickets Email, Phone, Tickets, Docs · 24/7
Compliance PCI DSS SOC 2, ISO 27001, PCI DSS
Built for Mid-market, Enterprise Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Azure Web Application Firewall 4/4 · F5 WAF for Distributed Cloud 4/4
Managed rule sets ✓ ✓
API protection ✓ ✓
Bot management ✓ ✓
Rate limiting ✓ ✓
Specs
Deployment model Edge Hybrid
Log retention Not checked yet 7 days
Our review
Pros
  • Azure-managed rules cover common web attacks
  • Custom rules, bot protection, rate limiting, and access controls
  • Azure Monitor provides monitoring and logging
  • Hybrid coverage across public cloud, on-premises, edge, and F5 network PoPs
  • AI risk scoring, managed signatures, bot protection, and API controls
  • Terraform, public APIs, vesctl, and integrations with major operations tools
Cons
  • No free plan
  • Pricing includes fixed and request-based charges
  • Verified integrations are narrower than leading cloud alternatives
  • Pricing requires contact with F5 rather than a published product table
  • No free plan is available
  • Firewall and event log retention is stated as seven days
Our verdict

Azure Web Application Firewall is a managed web application firewall for organizations running applications on Azure. It protects websites and APIs from common web exploits, including SQL injection and cross-site scripting. The service…

Read the review →

F5 WAF for Distributed Cloud protects web applications and APIs across public clouds, on-premises environments, customer-edge sites, and F5 global network points of presence. It is designed for organizations running distributed, hybrid, or…

Read the review →
  1. Azure Web Application FirewallWeb Application Firewall Software 8.7Paid
  2. F5 WAF for Distributed CloudWeb Application Firewall Software 8.6Pricing on request

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Azure Web Application Firewall — where it wins

    • Azure-managed rules cover common web attacks
    • Custom rules, bot protection, rate limiting, and access controls
    • Azure Monitor provides monitoring and logging

    Where it doesn't

    • No free plan
    • Pricing includes fixed and request-based charges
    • Verified integrations are narrower than leading cloud alternatives

  • F5 WAF for Distributed Cloud — where it wins

    • Hybrid coverage across public cloud, on-premises, edge, and F5 network PoPs
    • AI risk scoring, managed signatures, bot protection, and API controls
    • Terraform, public APIs, vesctl, and integrations with major operations tools

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing requires contact with F5 rather than a published product table
    • No free plan is available
    • Firewall and event log retention is stated as seven days
  • Azure Web Application Firewall8.7/10 · Paid

    A low-cost managed WAF for Azure applications, APIs, and edge traffic.

    Visit siteFull verdict →
  • F5 WAF for Distributed Cloud8.6/10 · Pricing on request

    A flexible hybrid WAF with strong automation, API, bot, and rate-limiting coverage.

    Visit F5Full verdict →

More comparisons

All web application firewall software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update