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# AWS Shield vs Cloudflare Application Security and Performance Comparison - What are their main differences?

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AWS ShieldCloudflare Application...[+ Add Product](#)

Pricing

**AWS Shield**
No pricing available

**Cloudflare Application Security and Performance**

**$20.00** Flat Rate Per Month · Pro

**$200.00** Flat Rate Per Month · Business

**Contact Vendor for Pricing** · Enterprise

**Pricing Insights**
from reviews

Perceived Cost

**AWS Shield**
$$$$$

**Cloudflare Application Security and Performance**
$$$$$

Average Discount

**AWS Shield**
Not enough reviews yet

**Cloudflare Application Security and Performance**
11%

Uncover valuable pricing insights from real user feedback to improve your shopping experience.
See it for free

Time to Implement

**AWS Shield** 6 months
Based on 100 responses

**Cloudflare Application Security and Performance** 6 months
Based on 100 responses

Return on Investment

**AWS Shield** 6 months
Based on 100 responses

**Cloudflare Application Security and Performance** 6 months
Based on 100 responses

**Pros & Cons**
from reviews

**AWS Shield**
Not enough data

**Cloudflare Application Security and Performance**

Security (54)

Ease of Use (50)

Complex User Interface (24)

Expensive (24)

Integrations

**AWS Shield**
[

 ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_cacdec8b8edeace9b3c89e0c2cded695/amazon-cloudfront.jpg "Product Avatar Image")

CloudFront

](https://www.g2.com/products/amazon-cloudfront/reviews)[

 ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_504423766e296a0eeef13491cb738385/amazon-eventbridge.png "Product Avatar Image")

Amazon EventBridge

](https://www.g2.com/products/amazon-eventbridge/reviews)[

 ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_b3390b4cc3d92e87d570895f7358c003/amazon-route-53.jpg "Product Avatar Image")

Amazon Route 53

](https://www.g2.com/products/amazon-route-53/reviews)[

 ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_b3390b4cc3d92e87d570895f7358c003/amazon-simple-notification-service-sns.jpg "Product Avatar Image")

Amazon Simple Notification...

](https://www.g2.com/products/amazon-simple-notification-service-sns/reviews)[
View all
](https://www.g2.com/products/aws-shield/integrations)

**Cloudflare Application Security and Performance**
[

 ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_d6b6650425eafc5c72f230cad744ad29/adobe-commerce-formerly-magento-commerce.png "Product Avatar Image")

Adobe Commerce (formerly...

](https://www.g2.com/products/adobe-commerce-formerly-magento-commerce/reviews)[

 ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_cacdec8b8edeace9b3c89e0c2cded695/amazon-ec2.jpg "Product Avatar Image")

Amazon EC2

](https://www.g2.com/products/amazon-ec2/reviews)[

 ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_ee1de7152716862f87f5af284ae296e2/backblaze-b2-cloud-storage.png "Product Avatar Image")

Backblaze B2 Cloud Storage

](https://www.g2.com/products/backblaze-b2-cloud-storage/reviews)[

 ![Product Avatar Image](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/large_detail/large_detail_1500ebe828ebade319a23bced1d5e998/buddy.png "Product Avatar Image")

Buddy

](https://www.g2.com/products/buddy/reviews)[
View all
](https://www.g2.com/products/cloudflare-application-security-and-performance/integrations)

Screenshots

**AWS Shield**
No screenshot available

**Cloudflare Application Security and Performance**
 ![Cloudflare Application Security and Performance screenshot](https://images.g2crowd.com/cdn-cgi/image/width=600,height=600,fit=scale-down,format=auto,onerror=redirect,/https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/attachment/file/98091/overview.png)

**Ratings**
from reviews

Meets Requirements

**AWS Shield**

**8.7** /10

Based on 13 responses

**Cloudflare Application Security and Performance**

**9.1** /10

Based on 650 responses

Ease of Use

**AWS Shield**

**8.2** /10

Based on 13 responses

**Cloudflare Application Security and Performance**

**8.9** /10

Based on 661 responses

Ease of Setup

**AWS Shield** Not enough data

**Cloudflare Application Security and Performance**

**8.8** /10

Based on 438 responses

Ease of Admin

**AWS Shield** Not enough data

**Cloudflare Application Security and Performance**

**8.9** /10

Based on 329 responses

Quality of Support

**AWS Shield**

**8.2** /10

Based on 13 responses

**Cloudflare Application Security and Performance**

**8.4** /10

Based on 568 responses

Has the product been a good partner in doing business?

**AWS Shield** Not enough data

**Cloudflare Application Security and Performance**

**8.8** /10

Based on 316 responses

Product Direction (% positive)

**AWS Shield**

**8.1** /10

Based on 12 responses

**Cloudflare Application Security and Performance**

**9.0** /10

Based on 609 responses

**Features**
ratings from reviews

Content Delivery Network (CDN)

Not enough data

**8.9** /10

Based on 454 responses

Website Security

Not enough data

**8.4** /10

Based on 65 responses

Application Shielding

Not enough data

**8.7** /10

Based on 15 responses

Uncover more feature rated insights from real users to improve your shopping experience.

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Web Application Firewall (WAF)

Not enough data

**8.7** /10

Based on 87 responses

Enterprise Content Delivery Network (eCDN)

Not enough data

**9.0** /10

Based on 23 responses

DDoS Protection

Not enough data

**8.7** /10

Based on 34 responses

SSL & TLS Certificate Tools

Not enough data

**8.7** /10

Based on 26 responses

DNS Security Solutions

Not enough data

**8.1** /10

Based on 23 responses

API Security

Not enough data

**9.7** /10

Based on 17 responses

Client-Side Protection

Not enough data

**8.0** /10

Based on 11 responses

Load Balancing

Not enough data

**9.2** /10

Based on 12 responses

Threat Intelligence

Not enough data

**9.6** /10

Based on 8 responses

User Insights

**Reviewers' Company Size**

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
40.0%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
26.7%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)
33.3%

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
40.0%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
26.7%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)
33.3%

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
62.3%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
26.2%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)
11.5%

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)
62.3%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)
26.2%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)
11.5%

**Reviewers' Industry**

[![AWS Shield](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1528476459/aws-shield.svg "AWS Shield")](https://www.g2.com/products/aws-shield/reviews)
AWS Shield

Computer Software
26.7%

Information Technology and Services
13.3%

Higher Education
13.3%

Consulting
6.7%

Security and Investigations
6.7%

Other
33.3%

[![Cloudflare Application Security and Performance](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_b2231a414cb9f3f7c194f65af32b723e/cloudflare-application-security-and-performance.png "Cloudflare Application Security and Performance")](https://www.g2.com/products/cloudflare-application-security-and-performance/reviews)
Cloudflare Application Security and Performance

Information Technology and Services
19.6%

Computer Software
15.6%

Marketing and Advertising
6.0%

Computer & Network Security
5.5%

Internet
5.3%

Other
48.0%

Alternatives

**AWS Shield Alternatives**

 ![Google Cloud Armor](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_aeae116c52945fdecd7ed16d621cb315/google-cloud-armor.png "Google Cloud Armor")

[
Google Cloud Armor
](/products/google-cloud-armor/reviews)

 ![Azure DDoS Protection](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/a8a99a96fda235658139f710592f8a53/azure-ddos-protection.svg "Azure DDoS Protection")

[
Azure DDoS Protection
](/products/azure-ddos-protection/reviews)

 ![DataDome](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/b68e3df9ed7200a433c6fc0f11b389e7/datadome.svg "DataDome")

[
DataDome
](/products/datadome/reviews)

 ![F5 NGINX](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/62010ad6d5b954f5a6a5bdaf40a5d2b7/f5-nginx.svg "F5 NGINX")

[
Nginx
](/products/f5-nginx/reviews)

**Cloudflare Application Security and Performance Alternatives**

 ![HAProxy](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/7b4d7d3f13ff9a655c3e07b1ab59128a/haproxy.svg "HAProxy")

[
HAProxy
](/products/haproxy/reviews)

 ![Bunny CDN](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/8deb8687507141d9a93a33883dc9d4da/bunny-cdn.svg "Bunny CDN")

[
Bunny CDN
](/products/bunny-cdn/reviews)

 ![Akamai Cloud Computing](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/88a10113936d5d26cc5455decf5a8817/akamai-cloud-computing.svg "Akamai Cloud Computing")

[
Akamai Cloud Computing
](/products/akamai-cloud-computing/reviews)

 ![Gumlet](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/8c22ccf0503d5d71698e1db7f90f442f/gumlet.svg "Gumlet")

[
Gumlet
](/products/gumlet/reviews)

## AWS Shield vs Cloudflare Application... FAQs

Generated using AI

Last updated: August 14, 2026

### What is the difference between Cloudflare Application... vs AWS Shield?

Cloudflare Application Security and Performance stands out for its higher reviewer satisfaction, broader feature set, and significantly larger review base compared to AWS Shield.

| | [Cloudflare Application Security and Performance](https://www.g2.com/products/cloudflare-application-security-and-performance/reviews) | [AWS Shield](https://www.g2.com/products/aws-shield/reviews) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| G2 Rating (reviews) | 4.5/5 (713 reviews) | 4.0/5 (15 reviews) |
| Ease of Setup score | 8.8 | — |
| Quality of Support score | 8.3 | 8.2 |
| Top Reviewer-Cited Strength | Unified platform combining WAF, DDoS protection, CDN, and performance optimization | Always-on DDoS protection with native AWS integration |

### How do the pricing models of Cloudflare Application... and AWS Shield compare?

Cloudflare Application Security and Performance is rated higher for value, with reviewers expressing greater satisfaction with its pricing compared to AWS Shield.

- **Cloudflare Application Security and Performance:** In recent reviews, many highlight the generous free tier and predictable flat-rate paid plans, though advanced features can become expensive as needs grow.
- **AWS Shield:** Reviewers note that while the standard tier is included with AWS services, the most valuable features are locked behind the more expensive Advanced tier, making it harder to justify for smaller organizations.

### What are the best alternatives to Cloudflare Application... and AWS Shield?

The top three alternatives to Cloudflare Application Security and Performance and AWS Shield are HAProxy, Bunny CDN, and Google Cloud Armor.

| Product | G2 Rating (reviews) | Largest Segment | Pricing Insight | Top Reviewer-Cited Strength |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Cloudflare Application Security and Performance](https://www.g2.com/products/cloudflare-application-security-and-performance/reviews) | 4.5/5 (713 reviews) | — | In recent reviews, many highlight strong value at entry tiers, but note advanced features can be costly | Unified security and performance platform with global CDN and WAF |
| [AWS Shield](https://www.g2.com/products/aws-shield/reviews) | 4.0/5 (15 reviews) | — | Reviewers note standard tier is included with AWS, but advanced features require higher spend | Always-on DDoS protection integrated with AWS services |
| [HAProxy](https://www.g2.com/products/haproxy/reviews) | 4.7/5 (912 reviews) | Mid-Market | — | High-performance load balancing and traffic management |
| [Bunny CDN](https://www.g2.com/products/bunny-cdn/reviews) | 4.8/5 (515 reviews) | Small-Business | — | Fast, affordable CDN with strong performance for small businesses |
| [Google Cloud Armor](https://www.g2.com/products/google-cloud-armor/reviews) | 4.0/5 (23 reviews) | — | — | Scalable DDoS and application security for Google Cloud workloads |

### Which Content Delivery Network (CDN) features should I prioritize when comparing Cloudflare Application... and AWS Shield?

Buyers comparing Cloudflare Application Security and Performance and AWS Shield should prioritize DDoS protection, Web Application Firewall (WAF), CDN performance, integration capabilities, and dashboard usability.

- **DDoS Protection:** Cloudflare Application Security and Performance is frequently cited for robust DDoS mitigation at the edge, while AWS Shield is praised for always-on DDoS protection integrated with AWS services.
- **Web Application Firewall (WAF):** Cloudflare Application Security and Performance offers integrated WAF capabilities with customizable rules, a key differentiator in recent reviews.
- **CDN Performance:** Cloudflare Application Security and Performance is highlighted for its global CDN and caching, improving load times and reducing server load.
- **Integration Capabilities:** Cloudflare Application Security and Performance integrates with tools like GitHub and Datadog, while AWS Shield is natively integrated with AWS CloudFront and related services.
- **Dashboard Usability:** Cloudflare Application Security and Performance receives frequent praise for its unified dashboard, though some reviewers note a learning curve for advanced features.

### What are the pros and cons of Cloudflare Application... vs AWS Shield?

Cloudflare Application Security and Performance is strongest for unified security and performance, while AWS Shield excels in always-on DDoS protection for AWS-native workloads.

- **Cloudflare Application Security and Performance strengths:** Unified platform combining WAF, DDoS protection, CDN, and performance optimization; highly rated for ease of use and setup; strong global network and caching; flexible integrations; centralized dashboard for security and performance management.
- **Cloudflare Application Security and Performance trade-offs:** Advanced features and detailed analytics are locked behind higher-tier plans; learning curve for advanced configuration; troubleshooting false positives can be complex; support response times slower on lower tiers; pricing can escalate for enterprise features.
- **AWS Shield strengths:** Always-on DDoS protection with native integration into AWS services; straightforward setup for AWS workloads; access to AWS DDoS Response Team with Advanced tier; clear value for AWS-centric environments.
- **AWS Shield trade-offs:** Most valuable features require the Advanced tier, increasing cost; limited WAF and application-layer protection compared to Cloudflare; less flexibility for non-AWS environments; billing complexity noted by reviewers.

### Is Cloudflare Application... or AWS Shield better for small businesses?

Cloudflare Application Security and Performance is the better fit for small businesses, with strong reviewer sentiment highlighting its value and ease of use.

- **Cloudflare Application Security and Performance:** While no explicit segment share is provided, recent reviews from small-business users consistently praise the free tier, straightforward setup, and strong security and performance improvements for smaller teams and projects.
- **AWS Shield:** No explicit small-business segment share is available, and reviewers note that the most valuable features are gated behind the Advanced tier, making it less accessible for small organizations.

### Which Content Delivery Network (CDN) platform has better integrations?

Cloudflare Application Security and Performance is favored for integrations, with reviewers citing broader third-party tool support.

- **Cloudflare Application Security and Performance:** Integrates with GitHub (4 all-time mentions) and Datadog (1 all-time mention), with reviewers highlighting its fit with modern tech stacks and infrastructure-as-code workflows.
- **AWS Shield:** Integrates natively with Amazon CloudFront (1 all-time mention), with reviewers noting its seamless fit within AWS environments.

### How do Cloudflare Application... and AWS Shield compare on customer support?

Cloudflare Application Security and Performance and AWS Shield score within 0.2 points on Quality of Support, indicating near-parity (8.3 vs 8.2).

- **Cloudflare Application Security and Performance:** Reviewers describe support as generally responsive, especially on higher tiers, but note slower response times for free and lower-tier plans.
- **AWS Shield:** Reviewers highlight access to the AWS DDoS Response Team with the Advanced tier and generally positive support experiences, though some mention billing and documentation challenges.

### Which is easier to implement, Cloudflare Application... or AWS Shield?

Cloudflare Application Security and Performance is rated higher for Ease of Setup, with reviewers consistently describing a straightforward implementation process.

- **Cloudflare Application Security and Performance:** Reviewers frequently cite easy onboarding, quick DNS updates, and minimal infrastructure changes, though some note a learning curve for advanced features.
- **AWS Shield:** Reviewers describe setup as easy within AWS environments, with automatic protection for AWS resources, but note that advanced configuration and billing can be confusing.

### Which product has better Dashboard?

Cloudflare Application Security and Performance is favored for its Dashboard, with reviewers highlighting its unified interface and analytics capabilities.

- **Cloudflare Application Security and Performance:** Receives frequent praise for its clean, centralized dashboard, strong analytics, and ease of monitoring security and performance, though some reviewers note a learning curve for advanced settings.
- **AWS Shield:** Reviewers mention clear visibility and reporting within the AWS console, but fewer highlight dashboard usability as a standout feature.