Google Cloud Armor
Google Cloud Armor: A Google Cloud edge WAF with managed rules, API protection, bots, and rate controls. Ranked #6 of 35 in Web Application Firewall Software by our editors (8.8/10); pricing: Paid; best for google Cloud users needing managed edge protection.
At a glance
- Editor score8.8 / 10
- PricingPaid
- Best forGoogle Cloud users needing managed edge protection
- Free planNo
- Deployment modelEdge
- Facts checked20 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Managed rules update for CVEs and zero-day vulnerabilities
- Protects backend services and APIs with custom policy rules
- Adds bot management, rate limiting, geo controls, and monitoring
Where it doesn't
- Paid service with usage-based pricing
- Bot management is unavailable in Cloud Armor Standard
- Enterprise plans apply data processing fees
Our verdict on Google Cloud Armor
Google Cloud Armor is a cloud network-security service for protecting applications, APIs, and backend services at Google’s network edge. It is aimed at teams running workloads on Google Cloud, as well as organizations connecting hybrid or multicloud applications through supported load-balancing configurations. The service combines DDoS protection with preconfigured WAF rules based on the OWASP ModSecurity Core Rule Set, custom security-policy expressions, and controls for traffic from specific IP addresses or geographies.
Pricing is usage-based across three published plans. Cloud Armor Standard provides WAF rules and charges according to request volume, security-policy hours, and rule hours. Cloud Armor Enterprise Paygo includes requests, security policies, and rules, covers up to 100 protected resources across all projects, and applies data processing fees. Cloud Armor Enterprise Annual also includes requests, security policies, and rules, with subscription pricing, a one-year time commitment, and data processing fees. Bot management is included in Enterprise rather than Standard, making the plan choice important for teams that need reCAPTCHA integration and automated traffic controls.
Google Cloud Armor fits organizations already using Google Cloud Load Balancing, Cloud Logging, Cloud Monitoring, Security Command Center, reCAPTCHA Enterprise, or Google Kubernetes Engine. Per-request logging, Cloud Monitoring metrics, preview mode, configurable rate limiting, rate-based bans, and automatically updated managed rules support ongoing policy management. Choose it when Google Cloud alignment, managed vulnerability rules, API protection, and edge controls are priorities. Consider another WAF when a free plan or a simpler fixed-plan structure matters more than integration with Google Cloud’s security and networking ecosystem.
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Google Cloud Armor pricing
All 3 Google Cloud Armor plans and prices →
Google Cloud Armor fact sheet
| Free plan | No |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Not verified |
| Deployment model | Edge |
| Managed rule sets | Yes |
| API protection | Yes |
| Bot management | Yes |
| Rate limiting | Yes |
| Log retention | Not verified |
| Deployment | Cloud |
| Platforms | Web |
| Support | Community, Docs |
| Built for | Mid-market, Enterprise (editorial estimate) |
| Integrations | 6 integrations: Google Cloud Load Balancing, Google Cloud Logging, Google Cloud Monitoring, Security Command Center, reCAPTCHA Enterprise, Google Kubernetes Engine |
| Pricing | Paid (source) |
| Website | cloud.google.com |
| Facts checked | 20 Sep 2026 |
Google Cloud Armor integrations
Google Cloud Armor lists 6 integrations on its own site.
- Google Cloud Load Balancing
- Google Cloud Logging
- Google Cloud Monitoring
- Security Command Center
- reCAPTCHA Enterprise
- Google Kubernetes Engine
Alternatives to Google Cloud Armor
- 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 Google Cloud Armor alternatives →
Google Cloud Armor vs the competition
- Google Cloud Armor vs Cloudflare WAF
- Google Cloud Armor vs AWS WAF
- Google Cloud Armor vs Wallarm WAAP
- Google Cloud Armor vs Akamai App & API Protector
- Google Cloud Armor vs open-appsec
- Google Cloud Armor vs Azure Web Application Firewall
Compare Google Cloud Armor with any tool side by side →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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