Cloudflare DDoS Protection
Cloudflare DDoS Protection: Broad Layer 3/4 and 7 protection with a free plan and low paid entry price. Ranked #1 of 36 in DDoS Protection Software by our editors (9.4/10); pricing: Free plan; best for broad protection at a low published price.
At a glance
- Editor score9.4 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forBroad protection at a low published price
- Free planYes
- Paid from$20/mo
- Attack layersBoth
- Founded2009 · San Francisco, CA
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026
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
Our verdict on Cloudflare DDoS Protection
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 delivered through Cloudflare’s cloud network. The web and API product supports always-on, cloud-based mitigation, with Layer 3/4 protection, Layer 7 HTTP protection, WAF coverage, managed rulesets, and adaptive DDoS protection. It suits organizations that need broad coverage rather than protection limited to one attack layer.
The plan structure makes the product accessible at multiple levels. The Free plan includes unmetered DDoS protection, WAF, and a free managed ruleset. Pro costs $20 per month with annual billing or $25 per month with monthly billing, adding managed rules customization to the same core protections. Business costs $200 per month with annual billing or $250 per month with monthly billing, and adds proactive false-positive detection for new rules. A Contract plan includes unmetered DDoS protection, WAF, and advanced DDoS protection options. The published $20 monthly entry tier is therefore tied to annual billing.
Its broader protection set is the main differentiator: Cloudflare lists managed DDoS rulesets, programmable Flow Protection for UDP-based Layer 7 protocols, and advanced TCP and DNS protection through Magic Transit. The 500 Tbps figure describes the global network capacity, while the plan details emphasize unmetered DDoS protection rather than a documented capacity quota. This is a strong fit for teams seeking managed, multi-layer coverage with a free starting point. Organizations needing advanced network controls should evaluate the Magic Transit and Contract options, while buyers should review plan-specific support provisions before choosing a tier.
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Cloudflare DDoS Protection pricing
All 4 Cloudflare DDoS Protection plans and prices →
Cloudflare DDoS Protection fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | $20/mo |
| Attack layers | Both |
| Mitigation mode | Always-on |
| Deployment model | Cloud |
| Protection capacity | Not verified |
| Managed mitigation | Yes |
| WAF included | Yes |
| Deployment | Cloud |
| Platforms | Web |
| Compliance & security | SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, PCI DSS, SSO/SAML |
| Support | Email, Live chat, Phone, Tickets, Community, Docs · 24/7 |
| Built for | Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan (source) |
| Website | cloudflare.com |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to Cloudflare DDoS Protection
- Akamai ProlexicA managed, hybrid DDoS defense service for enterprises with complex network protection needs.9.2
- Fastly DDoS ProtectionUsage-priced protection for network and application-layer DDoS attacks.9.1
- AWS ShieldA layered AWS-native option with free baseline coverage and a $3,000 Advanced tier.9.0
See all Cloudflare DDoS Protection alternatives →
Cloudflare DDoS Protection vs the competition
- 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 A10 Thunder TPS
Compare Cloudflare DDoS Protection with any tool side by side →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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