Fastly Next-Gen WAF
Fastly Next-Gen WAF: A flexible WAF for teams protecting applications, APIs, and microservices across varied deployments. Ranked #13 of 35 in Web Application Firewall Software by our editors (8.1/10); pricing: Pricing on request; best for teams needing flexible Fastly WAF deployment.
At a glance
- Editor score8.1 / 10
- PricingPricing on request
- Best forTeams needing flexible Fastly WAF deployment
- Free planNo
- Deployment modelHybrid
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Contextual detection combines SmartParse with attack, anomaly, API, and CVE signals.
- Virtual patches and advanced rate limiting support responsive traffic control.
- Edge, cloud, and agent deployment options suit distributed application environments.
Where it doesn't
- Contact-sales pricing requires a direct buying conversation before budgeting.
- Three deployment models create additional architecture and implementation choices.
- Data retention varies by entitlement and is capped at 30 days.
Our verdict on Fastly Next-Gen WAF
Fastly Next-Gen WAF protects web applications, APIs, and microservices from malicious and anomalous traffic. It is aimed at application security and DevOps teams that need centralized visibility and protection across distributed environments. The product supports web, Linux, and API use cases, with a hybrid deployment model that can place protection at the edge, in the cloud, or within infrastructure through an agent and module.
Its strongest differentiator is the range of detection and response controls. Contextual request detection with SmartParse works alongside blocking and request-logging modes, attack and anomaly signals, API and CVE signals, configurable request and signal-exclusion rules, and advanced rate limiting. Virtual patches address CVEs, while bot detection and mitigation capabilities extend coverage beyond conventional request filtering. This combination suits teams that need more than a fixed ruleset and want to tune enforcement around application behavior.
Fastly also fits teams with infrastructure automation requirements through its Next-Gen WAF API and Terraform integration. The edge, cloud, and agent options provide flexibility, though they require a clear deployment approach across the environments being protected. Published pricing uses a contact-sales model, and there is no free plan, so it is better suited to organizations evaluating a managed commercial WAF than to teams seeking a self-serve entry point. Choose it for distributed application protection, virtual patching, bot controls, and programmable management; consider an alternative if transparent self-service pricing or a single deployment path is the priority.
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Fastly Next-Gen WAF pricing
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Fastly Next-Gen WAF fact sheet
| Free plan | No |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Not verified |
| Deployment model | Hybrid |
| Managed rule sets | Yes |
| API protection | Yes |
| Bot management | Yes |
| Rate limiting | Yes |
| Log retention | Not verified |
| Deployment | Cloud, Self-hosted |
| Platforms | Web, Linux |
| Support | Docs |
| Built for | Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Pricing on request (source) |
| Website | fastly.com |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to Fastly Next-Gen WAF
- Cloudflare WAFBroad edge WAF coverage with a free plan and Terraform management.9.4
- AWS WAFFlexible AWS-native protection with usage-based pricing that requires careful cost planning.9.2
- Wallarm WAAPA broad WAAP platform with a useful free tier for API-focused security teams.9.1
See all Fastly Next-Gen WAF alternatives →
Also Ranked In
Fastly Next-Gen 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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