AWS WAF vs Akamai
A detailed comparison to help you choose between AWS WAF and Akamai.
Quick Verdict
4.9/5
AWS WAF
8 reviews
3.5/5
Akamai
375 reviews
AWS WAF is rated higher (4.9 vs 3.5). AWS WAF is Amazon's web application firewall that can be attached to CloudFront, ALB, or API Gateway. Pay per rule ($1/rule/month) and per million requests ($0.60). Integrates with AWS Shield. Akamai invented the CDN industry in 1998. 340,000+ servers in 130+ countries. Enterprise CDN, edge security, and media delivery at massive scale. Acquired Linode for cloud compute.
 AWS WAF Amazon WAF integrated with CloudFront and ALB |  Akamai The original CDN — 340,000 servers globally | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Rating | 4.9 (8 reviews)✓ | 3.5 (375 reviews) |
| Pricing model | usage-based | paid |
| Starting price | From €5/mo✓ | From €500/mo |
| Best for | AWS-invested applications that need WAF tightly integrated with their existing CloudFront or ALB setup | Global media companies and enterprises needing the largest and most battle-tested CDN infrastructure |
| Tags | ||
| Tags | api accessus datacentereu datacenterapac datacenter | ddos protectioneu datacenterus datacenterapac datacenter |
| Visit AWS WAF → | Visit Akamai → | |
AWS WAF
Pros
- + Deep AWS integration
- + Per-rule pricing — cost-effective for simple use
- + Works with CloudFront, ALB, API Gateway
Cons
- - Complex rule management
- - Requires AWS expertise to use effectively
Akamai
Pros
- + 340,000 servers — unmatched global scale
- + Enterprise security and media delivery
- + Includes Linode cloud compute
Cons
- - Enterprise-only pricing — complex procurement
- - Not for individuals or SMBs
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