AWS Shield vs Cloudflare WAF Comparison
AWS Shield
Starting at $0 /month
- SMBs
- Enterprise
AWS Shield is a managed Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) protection service that safeguards applications running on AWS. It provides always-on detection and automatic inline mitigations to minimize application downti…
Cloudflare WAF
Starting at Contact for pricing
- Small Business
Cloudflare WAF is a robust web application firewall designed to protect websites and applications from a wide range of cyber threats including SQL injection, cross-site scripting, and DDoS attacks. Leveraging Cloudflare'…
AWS Shield vs Cloudflare WAF — at a glance
| Feature | AWS Shield | Cloudflare WAF |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | — | — |
| Reviews | — | — |
| Starting price | $0 /month | Contact for pricing |
| Free trial | No | No |
| Free version | No | No |
| Best for | SMBs, Enterprise, Government | Small Business |
| Category | Website Security Software | Web Application Firewall (WAF) Software |
| Platforms | Cloud | Cloud-based |
| API | Available | Available |
| Support modes | 24/7 support for Advanced tier, AWS DDoS Response Team access, Documentation and community forums | Phone Support |
| Data residency | US | Global |
Key differences between AWS Shield and Cloudflare WAF
- Pricing: AWS Shield starts at $0 /month. Cloudflare WAF pricing is not publicly listed.
- Target audience: AWS Shield is built for SMBs and Enterprise, while Cloudflare WAF targets Small Business.
- Deployment: AWS Shield supports Cloud; Cloudflare WAF supports Cloud-based.
AWS Shield vs Cloudflare WAF — find the better fit before you commit.
Which tool fits your team best
Which is actually cheaper for your team size
Where each product wins, per real buyers
Most Website Security Software tools look identical on paper. This comparison cuts to the differences that matter — pricing structure, team fit, and what real buyers found after signing up.
Biggest differences
Features
Pricing
Buying details
Security
Buyer feedback
Integrations
Product tour
Other options
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AWS Shield vs Cloudflare WAF: Biggest differences
Start here before you go deeper into features.
Best for AWS users needing robust, automated DDoS protection integrated with their cloud infrastructure.
- You run critical applications on AWS
- You want automatic and managed DDoS mitigation
- You require expert incident response support
- Your infrastructure is outside AWS
- You have a limited budget for security services
Best for businesses seeking a powerful, globally distributed WAF integrated with CDN and DDoS protection.
- You need comprehensive protection against OWASP Top 10 threats
- You want seamless integration with a global CDN
- You require advanced bot management and API security
- You have a very limited budget
- You need an on-premise WAF solution
AWS Shield: Best for AWS users needing robust, automated DDoS protection integrated with their cloud infrastructure. Cloudflare WAF: Best for businesses seeking a powerful, globally distributed WAF integrated with CDN and DDoS protection.
Description | AWS Shield is a managed Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) protection service that safeguards applications running on AWS. It provides always-on detection and automatic inline mitigations ... Read More about AWS Shield | Cloudflare WAF is a robust web application firewall designed to protect websites and applications from a wide range of cyber threats including SQL injection, cross-site scripting, and DDoS ... Read More about Cloudflare WAF |
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Best Company Size | 51-500 employees501-1000 employees1001+ employees | 51-500 employees501-2000 employees2000+ employees |
Get pricing help | Get pricing help |
Software Demo
Demo |
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How do AWS Shield and Cloudflare WAF Compare on Features?
Total Features | 9 Features | 12 Features |
|---|---|---|
Unique Features | No unique features | No unique features |
Get Quote | Get Quote |
Compare AWS Shield and Cloudflare WAF on pricing
Review starting price, plan structure, and free-trial access side by side so you can see which option fits your budget and buying process.
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AWS Shield vs Cloudflare WAF: Other Details
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Get help choosing | Get help choosing |
AWS Shield vs Cloudflare WAF Security & Compliance
Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.
Data Residency | 🇺🇸 US | 🌐 Global |
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AWS Shield User Reviews & Rating Comparison
Pros and Cons |
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Media and Screenshots
Videos |  2 Videos |  2 Videos |
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Top Alternatives to AWS Shield and Cloudflare WAF in 2026
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Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].
Frequently asked questions
- Which is better, AWS Shield or Cloudflare WAF?
- AWS Shield and Cloudflare WAF are closely matched with equal user ratings of -1.0. The right choice depends on your team size, budget, and specific Web Application Firewall (WAF) Software needs.
- Do AWS Shield and Cloudflare WAF offer a free trial?
- Neither AWS Shield nor Cloudflare WAF currently lists a free trial.
- What is the starting price of AWS Shield vs Cloudflare WAF?
- AWS Shield starts at $0 /month. Cloudflare WAF starts at Contact for pricing.
- What are the top alternatives to AWS Shield?
- Top alternatives to AWS Shield include IRONSCALES, PowerDMARC, Lacework, Wandera, Sysdig Secure.
- What are the top alternatives to Cloudflare WAF?
- Top alternatives to Cloudflare WAF include Azure WAF, AWS WAF, Imperva WAF, Barracuda WAF, F5 Advanced WAF.