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Head-to-head · DDoS Protection Software

Cloudflare DDoS Protection vs AWS Shield

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score Cloudflare DDoS Protection #1 in DDoS Protection Software 9.4/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 2 features Visit Cloudflare
AWS Shield #4 in DDoS Protection Software 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 2 features Visit AWS Shield

Cloudflare DDoS Protection leads on 0 checks, AWS Shield on 0, and 3 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 scoreCloudflare DDoS Protection · 9.4/10
  • Free planboth

Cloudflare DDoS Protection scores higher on our rubric for ddos protection software: 9.4 against 9.0 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #4.

Cloudflare DDoS Protection is the better fit for broad protection at a low published price. AWS Shield is the better fit for AWS-native teams needing layered protection.

  • Cloudflare DDoS Protection fits best

    Broad protection at a low published price

  • AWS Shield fits best

    AWS-native teams needing layered 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 ↗ AWS Shield 9.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.4 9.0
Ranking #1 in DDoS Protection Software #4 in DDoS Protection Software
Best for Broad protection at a low published price AWS-native teams needing layered protection
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $20/mo —
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud Cloud
Platforms Web Web
Support Email, Live chat, Phone, Tickets, Community, Docs · 24/7 Community, Docs
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Cloudflare DDoS Protection 2/2 · AWS Shield 2/2
Managed mitigation ✓ ✓
WAF included ✓ ✓
Specs
Attack layers Both Both
Mitigation mode Always-on Always-on
Deployment model Cloud Cloud
Protection capacity Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • 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
  • 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
Cons
  • Advanced TCP and DNS protection uses Magic Transit
  • Support options vary by plan
  • Proactive false-positive detection starts with the Business plan
  • Shield Advanced starts at $3,000 per month
  • Advanced requires a one-year subscription commitment
  • Response Team access requires Business or Enterprise AWS Support
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 →

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 →
  1. Cloudflare DDoS ProtectionDDoS Protection Software 9.4Free plan
  2. AWS ShieldDDoS Protection Software 9.0Free plan

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

  • 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

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