AWS WAF
AWS WAF: Flexible AWS-native protection with usage-based pricing that requires careful cost planning. Ranked #2 of 35 in Web Application Firewall Software by our editors (9.2/10); pricing: Paid; best for AWS-native applications needing flexible pricing.
At a glance
- Editor score9.2 / 10
- PricingPaid
- Best forAWS-native applications needing flexible pricing
- Free planNo
- Paid from$1/unit/mo
- Deployment modelHybrid
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026
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.
Our verdict on AWS WAF
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 conditions such as IP addresses, headers, request bodies, URIs, and attack signatures. The service covers web applications and APIs, making it suited to teams that want AWS-native controls across CloudFront, API Gateway, Application Load Balancers, AppSync, Cognito, App Runner, Amplify, and other supported resources.
Pricing is usage-based rather than organized into conventional feature tiers. The Web ACL plan costs $5 per web ACL per month, while Rules cost $1 per rule per month. Request processing costs $0.60 per 1 million requests per month. These components make the low entry price clear, but total cost depends on the number of web ACLs, rules, and inspected requests. Charges for connected AWS services, including CloudFront, API Gateway, Application Load Balancer, AppSync, Cognito, and Shield Advanced, are separate from AWS WAF pricing.
Protection depth is a central strength. AWS WAF combines managed rules for common exploits with filtering by request attributes, rate-based controls, bot monitoring and blocking, CAPTCHA, silent browser challenges, centralized logging, filtering and redaction, and Layer 7 DDoS mitigation. It also supports API protection and AWS application resources. Choose it when your applications already depend on AWS services and you want configurable traffic controls. Teams seeking a conventional tiered plan or a simpler cost model should account for the separate rule and request-processing charges before choosing it.
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AWS WAF pricing
All 3 AWS WAF plans and prices →
AWS WAF fact sheet
| Free plan | No |
|---|---|
| Paid from | $1/unit/mo |
| Deployment model | Hybrid |
| Managed rule sets | Yes |
| API protection | Yes |
| Bot management | Yes |
| Rate limiting | Yes |
| Log retention | Not verified |
| Deployment | Cloud, Browser extension |
| Platforms | Web |
| Support | Docs |
| Built for | Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 9 integrations: Amazon CloudFront, Amazon API Gateway, Application Load Balancer, AWS AppSync, Amazon Cognito, AWS App Runner … |
| Pricing | Paid (source) |
| Website | aws.amazon.com |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
AWS WAF integrations
AWS WAF lists 9 integrations on its own site.
- Amazon CloudFront
- Amazon API Gateway
- Application Load Balancer
- AWS AppSync
- Amazon Cognito
- AWS App Runner
- Amazon Bedrock AgentCore Gateway
- AWS Verified Access
- AWS Amplify
Alternatives to AWS WAF
- Cloudflare WAFBroad edge WAF coverage with a free plan and Terraform management.9.4
- Wallarm WAAPA broad WAAP platform with a useful free tier for API-focused security teams.9.1
- Akamai App & API ProtectorA broad edge security platform for large enterprises with complex environments.9.0
See all AWS WAF alternatives →
AWS WAF vs the competition
- AWS WAF vs Cloudflare WAF
- AWS WAF vs Wallarm WAAP
- AWS WAF vs Akamai App & API Protector
- AWS WAF vs open-appsec
- AWS WAF vs Google Cloud Armor
- AWS WAF vs Azure Web Application Firewall
Compare AWS WAF with any tool side by side →
Also Ranked In
AWS WAF is ranked in 3 of our directories.
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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