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Best Web Application Firewall Software in 2026
Web application firewall software is designed to help manage protections for web applications and APIs. Compare API protection, bot management, rate limiting, and managed rule sets to see which controls are listed for each option. Deployment model and log retention can help you consider operational fit; free-plan availability and paid-from pricing add cost context. Fastly Image Optimizer, BunkerWeb, and Gcore WAAP are among the entries, alongside Wallarm API Security and Cloudflare WAF. Check the listed features against the applications and traffic you need to protect, and weigh how deployment and logging fit your environment.
- 35 apps
- Research read 23 Sept 2026
- How the order is worked out
- 1
BitNinja
Free plan AndroidAPIiPhone+4BitNinja brings file scanning, HTTP filtering, and shared IP threat information together for Linux servers. Review the stated root-level access terms and geographic restrictions before choosing it.
- 2
BunkerWeb
Free plan APILinuxSelf-hosted+1BunkerWeb combines reverse-proxy operation with web application and bot protections.
- 3
Cloudbric
Free plan AndroidAPIExtension+4Choose Cloudbric if you need managed web and API protection or cloud WAF management, or want a VPN with a free tier and paid plans.
- 4
Haltdos
Free plan APILinuxSelf-hosted+1Haltdos combines web application and API security with deployment options spanning on-premise, cloud, and hybrid environments.
7.3 Visit site - 5
ModSecurity
Free plan LinuxMacSelf-hosted+1ModSecurity offers an open-source WAF engine that runs within a compatible web server and can operate with or without the OWASP Core Rule Set.
- 6
OWASP Coraza WAF
Free plan APILinuxMac+1Coraza offers several deployment forms, a broad connector list, and Core Rule Set compatibility for API and web application protection.
- 7
Gcore WAAP
Free plan APIWebGcore WAAP combines web, API, bot, and application-layer DDoS protections in a reverse proxy deployment. Compare domain and request allowances, add-ons, and overage charges when choosing a plan.
- 8
Hide My WP Ghost
Free plan Self-hostedWebHide My WP Ghost combines path concealment with several listed security controls, and its free plan includes a set of core protections.
- 9
open-appsec
Free plan LinuxSelf-hostedWebChoose open-appsec if you need open-source web and API protection with local traffic processing and deployment options across Kubernetes, Linux, or Docker.
- 10
SafeLine
Free plan LinuxSelf-hostedWebSafeLine combines web attack filtering with bot controls and rate limiting in a self-hosted deployment. Check the host requirements and plan limits against the applications you need to protect.
- 11
Oracle Cloud Infrastructure Secret Management
by Oracle Cloud Infrastructure Secret ManagementFree plan APIWebOCI Secret Management centralizes credential storage, access control, rotation, and replication.
- 12
Security Ninja
Free plan Self-hostedWebSecurity Ninja provides a free starting point and adds firewall, login, and integration features in Pro.
- 13
Wordfence Security
Free plan Self-hostedWebWordfence combines site scanning, endpoint firewall protection, login controls, and multi-site management.
- 14
Shield Security
Free plan WebChoose Shield Security if you need WordPress protections for a site or client portfolio, with a free option for core hardening and bot protection.
- 15
Cloudflare WAF
Free plan WebCloudflare WAF combines edge deployment with managed rules, API protection, and rate limiting. Compare the plan-specific log retention and rate-limit counts when choosing a tier.
- 16
Google Cloud Secret Manager
Free plan Web - 17
Oracle Cloud Infrastructure Certificates
Free plan Web - 18
F5 WAF for NGINX
Free trial LinuxSelf-hostedF5 WAF for NGINX combines application and API protection with NGINX-native deployment, signatures, bot controls, and threat feeds.
- 19
Imperva API Security
Free trial APISelf-hostedWebChoose Imperva API Security if you need API discovery, risk assessment, and mitigation across cloud, on-premises, or hybrid environments.
- 20
DataDome API Protection
Paid AndroidAPIiPhone+1Choose DataDome API Protection if you need managed, real-time API threat detection across web, mobile, and API environments.
- 21
AWS WAF
Paid APIWebAWS WAF combines customizable request rules with managed protections for bots, account abuse and fraud. Costs depend on configured web ACLs, rules and traffic, in addition to related service charges.
- 22
Tencent Cloud WAF
Free trial APISelf-hostedWebTencent Cloud WAF provides cloud-delivered web and API protection with graduated capacity tiers.
5.7 Visit site - 23
Check Point WAF (formerly CloudGuard WAF)
by Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.Paid WebAPIChoose Check Point WAF if you need hybrid web or API protection with bot management and rate limiting.
- 24
Sucuri Website Firewall
Paid APIWebSucuri Website Firewall combines traffic inspection, DDoS mitigation, virtual patching, and protected-page controls at the edge.
- 25
Alibaba Cloud WAF
Paid WebAlibaba Cloud WAF offers core web-application defenses across prepaid tiers and a postpaid metered option.
#1Places #1, #2, #3, #4, #5 on this list can be bought by the makers of the software on it. See the price
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