What is Web Application Firewall (WAF) Software?

WAF software products are used to protect web applications and websites from threats or attacks. The firewall monitors traffic between users, applications, and other internet sources. They're effective in defending against cross-site forgery, cross-site scripting (XSS attacks), SQL injection, DDoS attacks, and many other kinds of attacks. These software solutions provide automatic defense and allow administrative control over rule sets and customization since some applications may have unique traffic trends, zero-day threats, or web application vulnerabilities. These tools also provide logging features to document and analyze attacks, incidents, and normal application behaviors. Companies with web applications should use WAF tools to ensure all weak spots in the application itself are filled. Without WAF, many threats may go undetected, and data leakage may occur. They have truly become an obligatory component of any business-critical web application containing sensitive information. Key Benefits of Web Application Firewall (WAF) Software Protection against web-based threats Historical documentation of incidents and events Elastic, scalable web application protection

Why Use Web Application Firewall (WAF) Software?

There are a variety of benefits associated with WAF tools and ways they can boost security of applications deployed online. Most of the reasoning behind WAF usage is the generally accepted belief that web-based threats should be a concern for all businesses. Therefore, all businesses deploying web-based applications should be sure they are doing all they can to defend against the myriad cyberthreats that exist today. Some of the numerous threats WAF products can help defend against include: Cross-Site Scripting (XSS) — Cross-site scripting (XSS) is an attack where a malicious script is injected into websites using a web application to send malicious code. Malicious scripts can be used to access information such as cookies, session tokens, and other sensitive data collected by web browsers. Injection Flaws — Injection flaws are vulnerabilities which allow attackers to send code through an application to another system. The most common type is a SQL injection. In this scenario, an attacker finds a point in which the web application passes through a database, executes their code, and can begin querying whatever information they want. Malicious File Execution — Malicious file execution is accomplished when an attacker is able to input malicious files that are uploaded to the web server or application server. These files can be executed upon upload and completely compromise an application server. Insecure Direct Object Reference — Insecure direct object reference occurs when user input can directly access an application's internal components. These vulnerabilities can allow attackers to bypass security protocols and access resources, files, and data directly. Cross-Site Request Forgery (CSRF) — CSRF attacks force users to execute actions on a web application the user has permission to access. These actions can force users to unwillingly submit requests that may damage the web application or change their credentials to something the attacker can reuse to gain access to an application at a future date. Information Leakage — Information leakage can occur when unauthorized parties are able to access databases or visit URLs that are not linked from the site. Attackers may be capable of accessing sensitive files such as password backups or unpublished documents. Improper Error Handling — Error handling refers to preprogrammed measures that allow applications to dismiss unexpected events without exposing sensitive information. Improper error handling leads to a number of various issues, including the release of data, vulnerability exposure, and application failure. Broken Authentication — Broken authentication is the result of improper credential management functions. If authentication measures fail to function, attackers can walk by security measures without the valid identification. This can lead to attackers gaining direct access to entire networks, servers, and applications. Session Management — Session management errors occur when attackers manipulate or capture the tokenized ID provided to authenticated visitors. Attackers can impersonate generic users or target privileged users to gain access control and hijack an application. Insecure Cryptographic Storage — Cryptographic storage is used to authenticate and protect communications online. Attackers may identify and obtain unencrypted or poorly encrypted resources that may contain sensitive information. Proper encryption typically protects against this, but poor key storage, weak algorithms, and flawed key generation may put sensitive data at risk. Insecure Communications — Insecure communications occur when messages exchanged between clients and servers becomes visible. Poor network firewalls and network security policies can lead to easy access for attackers by gaining access to a local network or carrier device or installing malware on a device. Once applications are exploited, individual user information and other sensitive data becomes extremely vulnerable. Failure to Restrict URL Access — Applications may fail to restrict URL access to unauthorized parties who attempt to visit unlinked URLs or files without permission. Attackers may bypass security by directly accessing URLs containing sensitive information or data files. URL restriction can be accomplished by utilizing page tokens or encrypting URLs to restrict access unless they visit restricted pages through approved navigational paths.

Who Uses Web Application Firewall (WAF) Software?

The actual individuals using application firewalls are software developers and security professionals. The developer will typically build and implement the firewall, while it is maintained and monitored by security operations teams. Still, there are a few industries that may be more inclined to use WAF tools for various purposes. Internet Businesses — Internet businesses are a natural fit for WAF tools. They often have one or multiple public-facing web applications and various internal web apps for employee use. Both of these kinds of applications should be guarded by some kind of firewall, as well as additional layers of security. While nearly all modern businesses use web applications in some capacity, internet-centric businesses are more susceptible to attacks simply because they likely possess more web apps. E-Commerce Professionals — E-commerce professionals and e-commerce businesses that build their own online tools should be using WAF technology. Many e-commerce applications are managed by some kind of SaaS provider, but custom-built tools are incredibly vulnerable without an application firewall. E-commerce businesses who fail to protect their applications put the data of their visitors, customers, and business on the line. Compliant-Required Industries — Industries that require a higher level of compliance for data security should use a web application firewall for any application that communicates with a server or network with access to sensitive information. The most common business types with increased compliance requirements include health care, insurance, and energy industries. But many countries and localities have expanded IT compliance requirements across industries to prevent data breaches and the release of sensitive information.

Page 2 | Best Web Application Firewalls (WAF): User Reviews from September 2026

AppTrana

AppTrana API is a fully managed API security platform that provides continuous API discovery, automated vulnerability detection, and real-time protection against API attacks. It combines 24/7 AI-driven intelligence with human-led operations to deliver runtime security with a Zero False Positive Guarantee. Trusted by over 6,500 customers across 95+ countries, it offers unmetered protection with 100% availability. AppTrana API includes SwyftComply, an industry-first autonomous remediation capability that virtually patches API vulnerabilities without code changes, enabling zero-vulnerability compliance reports.

Average Rating: 4.8/5.0

Total Reviews: 34

How Do G2 Users Rate AppTrana?

Has the product been a good partner in doing business?: 9.6/10 (Category avg: 8.8/10)
Traffic Controls: 9.6/10 (Category avg: 9.2/10)
Security Monitoring: 9.8/10 (Category avg: 9.1/10)
Issue Tracking: 9.6/10 (Category avg: 8.7/10)

Who Is the Company Behind AppTrana?

Seller: Indusface
Year Founded: 2012
HQ Location: Vadodara
Twitter: @Indusface
3,472 Twitter followers
LinkedIn® Page: www.linkedin.com
172 employees on LinkedIn®

Who Uses This Product?

Top Industries: Computer Software, Information Technology and Services
Company Size: 54% Medium, 23% Large

What Do G2 Reviewers Say About AppTrana?

AI-generated summary from verified user reviews

Pros

Users praise the comprehensive protection from AppTrana, ensuring safety against real-time attacks and vulnerabilities.
Users value the 24/7 cybersecurity support from AppTrana, ensuring peace of mind and robust protection against threats.
Users commend AppTrana's highly effective WAF that ensures complete protection with excellent support and low complexity.
Users value the exceptional bot detection capabilities of AppTrana, ensuring robust protection against threats 24/7.
Users commend the fantastic DDoS protection of AppTrana, offering peace of mind with comprehensive security measures.

Cons

Users find the difficult reporting of AppTrana limits their ability to analyze data effectively over time.
Users find the complex setup challenging due to poor documentation and difficulty in handling third-party certificates.
Users express concern over the high cost of AppTrana, especially when managing multiple application instances.
Users find the learning difficulty in installing and managing third-party certificates to be frustrating and not well supported.
Users find the poor documentation for installation and third-party certificate replacement frustrating and unhelpful.

What Are Recent G2 Reviews of AppTrana?

"AppTrana’s Managed WAAP with 24×7 SOC Support and Zero False Positives"

Rating: 5.0/5.0 stars

— UTKARSH S.

Best Web Application Firewalls (WAF) - Page 2

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