Head-to-head · DDoS Protection Software
Cloudflare DDoS Protection vs A10 Thunder TPS
Cloudflare DDoS Protection leads on 2 checks, A10 Thunder TPS on 0, and 1 is 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 scoreCloudflare DDoS Protection · 9.4/10
- Free planonly Cloudflare DDoS Protection
- Free trialonly A10 Thunder TPS
- Most featuresCloudflare DDoS Protection · 2 of 2
Cloudflare DDoS Protection scores higher on our rubric for ddos protection software: 9.4 against 8.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #7.
Cloudflare DDoS Protection offers free plan; A10 Thunder TPS doesn't. On mitigation mode, A10 Thunder TPS gives you Hybrid where Cloudflare DDoS Protection offers Always-on. On deployment model, A10 Thunder TPS gives you Hybrid where Cloudflare DDoS Protection offers Cloud. Cloudflare DDoS Protection offers waf included; A10 Thunder TPS doesn't.
Cloudflare DDoS Protection is the better fit for broad protection at a low published price. A10 Thunder TPS is the better fit for network operators needing hybrid appliance protection.
- Cloudflare DDoS Protection fits best
Broad protection at a low published price
- A10 Thunder TPS fits best
Network operators needing hybrid appliance 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 | Cloudflare DDoS Protection 9.4/10 Visit ↗ | A10 Thunder TPS 8.7/10 Visit ↗ |
|---|---|---|
| At a glance | ||
| Editor score | 9.4 | 8.7 |
| Ranking | #1 in DDoS Protection Software | #7 in DDoS Protection Software |
| Best for | Broad protection at a low published price | Network operators needing hybrid appliance protection |
| Pricing model | Free plan + paid | Paid |
| Starting price | $20/mo | Pricing on request · 30-day trial |
| Free plan | ✓ (best) | — |
| Free trial | — | 30 days |
| Deployment | Cloud | Cloud, Self-hosted |
| Support | Email, Live chat, Phone, Tickets, Community, Docs · 24/7 | Community, Docs · 24/7 |
| Compliance | SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, PCI DSS, SSO/SAML | ISO 27001 |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise | Mid-market, Enterprise |
| Features Cloudflare DDoS Protection 2/2 · A10 Thunder TPS 1/2 | ||
| Managed mitigation | ✓ | ✓ |
| WAF included | ✓ (best) | — |
| Specs | ||
| Attack layers | Both | Both |
| Mitigation mode | Always-on | Hybrid |
| Deployment model | Cloud | Hybrid |
| Protection capacity | Not checked yet | Not checked yet |
| Our review | ||
| Pros |
|
|
| Cons |
|
|
| Our verdict | Cloudflare DDoS Protection automatically detects and mitigates distributed denial-of-service attacks across network and application layers. It is designed for websites, web applications, TCP/UDP applications, networks, and data centers… Read the review → |
A10 Thunder TPS is A10 Networks’ DDoS protection platform, now presented as A10 Defend DDoS Mitigator. It is designed for service providers, data centers, gaming networks, and enterprises that need protection across volumetric, protocol,… Read the review → |
Strengths and trade-offs
Cloudflare DDoS Protection — where it wins
- Covers Layer 3/4 network and Layer 7 HTTP attacks
- Free plan includes unmetered DDoS protection and WAF
- 500 Tbps global network capacity with managed protection options
Where it doesn't
- Advanced TCP and DNS protection uses Magic Transit
- Support options vary by plan
- Proactive false-positive detection starts with the Business plan
A10 Thunder TPS — where it wins
- Covers volumetric, protocol, resource, and application-layer attacks
- Supports inline and on-demand BGP route redirection mitigation
- Adds machine-learning zero-day recognition and adaptive policies
Where it doesn't
- Pricing requires contact with sales
- No free plan is offered
- WAF is not included
- Cloudflare DDoS Protection9.4/10 · Free plan
Broad Layer 3/4 and 7 protection with a free plan and low paid entry price.
Visit CloudflareFull verdict → - A10 Thunder TPS8.7/10 · Pricing on request · 30-day trial
Hybrid, multi-vector DDoS protection for network operators managing complex traffic flows.
Visit A10 NetworksFull verdict →
More comparisons
- Cloudflare DDoS Protection vs Akamai Prolexic
- Cloudflare DDoS Protection vs Fastly DDoS Protection
- Cloudflare DDoS Protection vs AWS Shield
- Cloudflare DDoS Protection vs Imperva DDoS Protection
- Cloudflare DDoS Protection vs Radware Cloud DDoS Protection
- Cloudflare DDoS Protection vs Check Point DDoS Protector
- Akamai Prolexic vs A10 Thunder TPS
- Fastly DDoS Protection vs A10 Thunder TPS
All DDoS protection software comparisons → · Full ranking →
Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
Last updated · How we research and update