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# AWS WAF vs ModSecurity Comparison - What are their main differences?

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AWS WAFModSecurity[+ Add Product](#)

Reviews

**AWS WAF** [

4.3/5(72)

](https://www.g2.com/products/aws-waf/reviews#reviews)

**ModSecurity** [

4.2/5(14)

](https://www.g2.com/products/modsecurity/reviews#reviews)

Pricing

**AWS WAF**
No pricing available

**ModSecurity**
No pricing available

**Pricing Insights**
from reviews

Time to Implement

**AWS WAF**
2 months

Based on 11 responses

**ModSecurity**
Not enough reviews yet

Return on Investment

**AWS WAF**
8 months

Based on 10 responses

**ModSecurity**
Not enough reviews yet

Perceived Cost

**AWS WAF**
$$$$$

**ModSecurity**
$$$$$

Average Discount

**AWS WAF**
7%

**ModSecurity**
Not enough reviews yet

Pros & Cons

**AWS WAF**
[
WAF (Web Application Firewall) (2)
](https://www.g2.com/products/aws-waf/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=2257694&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[
Cloud Integration (1)
](https://www.g2.com/products/aws-waf/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=2257713&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[
Complex Configuration (1)
](https://www.g2.com/products/aws-waf/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=2374585&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)[
Expensive (1)
](https://www.g2.com/products/aws-waf/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=2374602&qs=pros-and-cons#reviews)

**ModSecurity**
Not enough data

Integrations

**AWS WAF**
[

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

Amazon API Gateway

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

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

Amazon AWS Platform

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

 ![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_b3390b4cc3d92e87d570895f7358c003/aws-cloudtrail.jpg "Product Avatar Image")

AWS CloudTrail

](https://www.g2.com/products/aws-cloudtrail/reviews)[
View all
](https://www.g2.com/products/aws-waf/integrations)

**ModSecurity**
Not enough data

Ratings

Meets Requirements

**AWS WAF**

8.9

8.949

**ModSecurity**

8.5

8.514

Ease of Use

**AWS WAF**

8.2

8.249

**ModSecurity**

8.9

8.914

Ease of Setup

**AWS WAF**

8.1

8.134

**ModSecurity**
Not enough data

Ease of Admin

**AWS WAF**

8.2

8.232

**ModSecurity**
Not enough data

Quality of Support

**AWS WAF**

8.7

8.745

**ModSecurity**

8.8

8.813

Has the product been a good partner in doing business?

**AWS WAF**

8.8

8.831

**ModSecurity**
Not enough data

Product Direction (% positive)

**AWS WAF**

9.0

9.049

**ModSecurity**

7.3

7.313

Features

Web Application Firewall (WAF)[Hide 10 FeaturesShow 10 Features](javascript:void(0);)

8.6

32

Not enough data

Analysis

Logging and Reporting

8.4(won by default)

25

Not enough data

Issue Tracking

8.1(won by default)

22

Not enough data

Security Monitoring

8.9(won by default)

26

Not enough data

Controls

Application-Layer Controls 

9.3(won by default)

23

Not enough data

Traffic Controls

8.7(won by default)

25

Not enough data

Network Controls

8.9(won by default)

24

Not enough data

Functionality

API / Integrations

9.0(won by default)

23

Not enough data

Extensibility

8.3(won by default)

21

Not enough data

Bot Traffic

9.0(won by default)

5

Not enough data

Generative AI

AI Text Summarization

7.7(won by default)

10

Not enough data

User Insights

Reviewers' Company Size

[![AWS WAF](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1533131475/aws-waf.svg "AWS WAF")](https://www.g2.com/products/aws-waf/reviews)

AWS WAF

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)

33.8%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)

33.8%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)

32.3%

[![ModSecurity](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_28d60f690b9594c41b74bfac5bfc563a/modsecurity.png "ModSecurity")](https://www.g2.com/products/modsecurity/reviews)

ModSecurity

Small-Business(50 or fewer emp.)

35.7%

Mid-Market(51-1000 emp.)

64.3%

Enterprise(\> 1000 emp.)

0%

Small-Business

(50 or fewer emp.)

33.8%

35.7%

Mid-Market

(51-1000 emp.)

33.8%

64.3%

Enterprise

(\> 1000 emp.)

32.3%

0%

Reviewers' Industry

[![AWS WAF](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1533131475/aws-waf.svg "AWS WAF")](https://www.g2.com/products/aws-waf/reviews)
AWS WAF

Information Technology and Services

21.5%

Computer Software

9.2%

Computer & Network Security

7.7%

Retail

7.7%

Marketing and Advertising

7.7%

Other

46.2%

[![ModSecurity](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/image/thumb_square/thumb_square_28d60f690b9594c41b74bfac5bfc563a/modsecurity.png "ModSecurity")](https://www.g2.com/products/modsecurity/reviews)
ModSecurity

Computer Software

64.3%

Oil & Energy

7.1%

Information Technology and Services

7.1%

Hospital & Health Care

7.1%

Financial Services

7.1%

Other

7.1%

FAQs

## AWS WAF vs ModSecurity FAQs

Generated using AI

Last updated: August 14, 2026

### What is the difference between ModSecurity vs AWS WAF?

AWS WAF stands out for its higher G2 rating, more reviews, and stronger reviewer-cited support, while ModSecurity is noted for ease of use and installation.

| [ModSecurity](https://www.g2.com/products/modsecurity/reviews) | [AWS WAF](https://www.g2.com/products/aws-waf/reviews) |
| --- | --- |
| 4.2/5 (14 reviews) | 4.3/5 (72 reviews) |
| — | — |
| — | 8.1 |
| 8.8 | 8.7 |
| Easy to install and user friendly | Native AWS integration and managed rules |

### How do the pricing models of ModSecurity and AWS WAF compare?

AWS WAF is rated higher for price satisfaction, indicating reviewers consider it the stronger value compared to ModSecurity.

- **ModSecurity:** In recent reviews, ModSecurity is praised for being affordable and scalable, but some reviewers note challenges with false positives and configuration.
- **AWS WAF:** Reviewers highlight AWS WAF's pay-as-you-go model and scalability, though some mention that costs can add up for high-traffic sites and complex rule sets.

### What are the best alternatives to ModSecurity and AWS WAF?

The top three alternatives to ModSecurity and AWS WAF are Nginx, HAProxy, and Cloudflare Application Security and Performance.

| Product | G2 Rating (reviews) | Largest Segment | Pricing Insight | Top Reviewer-Cited Strength |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [ModSecurity](https://www.g2.com/products/modsecurity/reviews) | 4.2/5 (14) | — | Affordable and scalable | Easy to install and user friendly |
| [AWS WAF](https://www.g2.com/products/aws-waf/reviews) | 4.3/5 (72) | — | Pay-as-you-go, scalable, but can be expensive for high-traffic | Native AWS integration and managed rules |
| [Nginx](https://www.g2.com/products/f5-nginx/reviews) | 4.6/5 (113) | Mid-Market | — | High performance and flexibility |
| [HAProxy](https://www.g2.com/products/haproxy/reviews) | 4.7/5 (912) | Mid-Market | — | Reliability and load balancing |
| [Cloudflare Application Security and Performance](https://www.g2.com/products/cloudflare-application-security-and-performance/reviews) | 4.5/5 (710) | Small-Business | — | Comprehensive security and performance |

### Which Web Application Firewall (WAF) features should I prioritize when comparing ModSecurity and AWS WAF?

Buyers should prioritize ease of use, integration capabilities, rule customization, scalability, and support quality when comparing ModSecurity and AWS WAF.

- **Ease of Use:** ModSecurity scores 8.9, AWS WAF scores 8.2.
- **Integration Capabilities:** AWS WAF is frequently cited for native AWS integration and managed rules; ModSecurity is noted for compatibility with most operating systems.
- **Rule Customization:** Both products allow for specific rule creation, with reviewers highlighting ModSecurity's flexibility and AWS WAF's managed and custom rules.
- **Scalability:** AWS WAF is praised for its scalability and pay-as-you-go model in recent reviews.
- **Support Quality:** ModSecurity scores 8.8, AWS WAF scores 8.7 for Quality of Support.

### What are the pros and cons of ModSecurity vs AWS WAF?

ModSecurity's headline strength is ease of use and installation, while AWS WAF is recognized for its native AWS integration and managed rules.

- **ModSecurity strengths:** Easy to install, user friendly, affordable, and scalable.
- **ModSecurity trade-offs:** Reviewers note challenges with false positives and configuration complexity, especially for newcomers.
- **AWS WAF strengths:** Native integration with AWS services, managed rule sets, scalability, and pay-as-you-go pricing. Reviewers highlight protection against OWASP threats and DDoS attacks.
- **AWS WAF trade-offs:** Some reviewers mention complex configuration, higher costs for high-traffic or complex rules, and occasional false positives.

### Is ModSecurity or AWS WAF better for small businesses?

AWS WAF is better suited for small businesses, as recent reviews highlight its scalability and ease of integration with AWS services.

- **ModSecurity:** No largest segment data available, but reviewers mention it is affordable and user friendly for small teams with technical expertise.
- **AWS WAF:** No largest segment data available, but recent reviews from small-business users praise its scalability, pay-as-you-go pricing, and integration with AWS infrastructure.

### Which Web Application Firewall (WAF) platform has better integrations?

AWS WAF is favored for integrations, with reviewers consistently citing its native integration with AWS services.

- **ModSecurity:** Reviewers mention compatibility with most operating systems, but no specific integration partners are cited in recent reviews.
- **AWS WAF:** Reviewers highlight integration with AWS CloudFront, Application Load Balancer, and API Gateway as a key advantage.

### How do ModSecurity and AWS WAF compare on customer support?

ModSecurity and AWS WAF are rated at parity for Quality of Support, with scores of 8.8 and 8.7 respectively.

- **ModSecurity:** Reviewers describe support as helpful and responsive, with scores consistently at or above 6.0 in recent reviews.
- **AWS WAF:** Reviewers note responsive and satisfactory support, with several citing quick responses and helpful troubleshooting, and scores consistently at or above 5.0 in recent reviews.

### Which is easier to implement, ModSecurity or AWS WAF?

AWS WAF is rated higher for Ease of Setup, with a score of 8.1, while ModSecurity lacks a published score for this dimension.

- **ModSecurity:** Reviewers frequently mention easy installation and setup, but also note some configuration complexity for advanced features.
- **AWS WAF:** Reviewers highlight straightforward setup, especially within the AWS ecosystem, with scores of 5.0 to 7.0 for Ease of Setup in recent reviews.

Alternatives

**AWS WAF Alternatives**

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

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

 ![Sucuri](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1498148115/sucuri.svg "Sucuri")

[
Sucuri
](/products/sucuri/reviews)

 ![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")

[
Cloudflare Application...
](/products/cloudflare-application-security-and-performance/reviews)

 ![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)

**ModSecurity Alternatives**

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

[
HAProxy
](/products/haproxy/reviews)

 ![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")

[
Cloudflare Application...
](/products/cloudflare-application-security-and-performance/reviews)

 ![Sucuri](https://images.g2crowd.com/uploads/product/hd_favicon/1498148115/sucuri.svg "Sucuri")

[
Sucuri
](/products/sucuri/reviews)

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

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

## AWS WAF vs ModSecurity

- Reviewers felt that AWS WAF meets the needs of their business better than ModSecurity.
- When comparing quality of ongoing product support, reviewers felt that ModSecurity is the preferred option.
- For feature updates and roadmaps, our reviewers preferred the direction of AWS WAF over ModSecurity.