# Alibaba Cloud Web Application Firewall (WAF) vs Cloudflare WAF: side-by-side comparison (2026) [Alibaba Cloud Web Application Firewall (WAF)](https://cybersectools.com/tools/alibaba-cloud-ai-doc) is a commercial [cloud web application and API protection](https://cybersectools.com/categories/cloud-waap) solution by [Alibaba Cloud](https://cybersectools.com/companies/alibaba-cloud). [Cloudflare WAF](https://cybersectools.com/tools/cloudflare-waf) is a commercial [cloud web application and API protection](https://cybersectools.com/categories/cloud-waap) solution by [Cloudflare, Inc](https://cybersectools.com/companies/cloudflare-inc). Features, integrations, deployment and the company behind each one, side by side. ## Our take What our shortlists say about the one we picked. ### [Cloudflare WAF](https://cybersectools.com/tools/cloudflare-waf) Best for: Teams wanting global protection with little upkeep It earns its place because the firewall, bot controls and rate limiting all run as one cloud service, so you protect a site by routing its traffic through the network instead of running your own gear. It fits any size, from startups to enterprises. The question to weigh is whether you are comfortable sending all your web traffic through one provider. From [Best Cloud WAAP Solutions for Business](https://cybersectools.com/shortlists/best-cloud-waap-solutions), Fall 2026. Reviewed by [Nika (Nikoloz) Kokhreidze](https://cybersectools.com/about). Need the answer fast? [Best Cloud WAAP Solutions for Business](https://cybersectools.com/shortlists/best-cloud-waap-solutions) picks Cloudflare WAF, Akamai App & API Protector, Imperva Web Application Firewall (WAF) and 3 more. ## Side-by-side comparison | | Alibaba Cloud Web Application Firewall (WAF) | Cloudflare WAF | |---|---|---| | Pricing model | Commercial | Commercial | | Category | Cloud Web Application and API Protection | Cloud Web Application and API Protection | | Verified | No | No | | Deployment type | Hybrid | Cloud | | Company size fit | SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise | Startup, SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise | | Company | Alibaba Cloud | Cloudflare, Inc. | | Headquarters | – | – | ### Use cases and capabilities | | Alibaba Cloud Web Application Firewall (WAF) | Cloudflare WAF | |---|---|---| | SQL Injection | Yes | – | | WAF | Yes | Yes | | DDoS | – | Yes | | Web Security | – | Yes | ### Core features **Alibaba Cloud Web Application Firewall (WAF)** 10 features listed. Sign in on the page to see them. **Cloudflare WAF** 10 features listed. Sign in on the page to see them. ### Integrations **Alibaba Cloud Web Application Firewall (WAF)** 3 integrations listed. Sign in on the page to see them. **Cloudflare WAF** 13 integrations listed. Sign in on the page to see them. ## Which one fits you Based on what each listing shows: deployment, company size, price and open source. - [Alibaba Cloud Web Application Firewall (WAF)](https://cybersectools.com/tools/alibaba-cloud-ai-doc) fits if you need both cloud and on-premises options. - [Cloudflare WAF](https://cybersectools.com/tools/cloudflare-waf) fits if you want a cloud product and you are a startup. ## Alibaba Cloud Web Application Firewall (WAF) vs Cloudflare WAF FAQ Common questions when comparing Alibaba Cloud Web Application Firewall (WAF) vs Cloudflare WAF for cloud web application and API protection. ### What is the difference between Alibaba Cloud Web Application Firewall (WAF) and Cloudflare WAF? **Alibaba Cloud Web Application Firewall (WAF)**: Alibaba Cloud's fully managed WAAP solution for web, API, and bot protection. Built by Alibaba Cloud. **Cloudflare WAF**: A cloud-based web application firewall that protects applications from various cyber threats through rule-based filtering, machine learning detection, and integrated security features. Built by Cloudflare, Inc. The table above shows where their features, integrations, deployment and company size fit differ. ### Who makes Alibaba Cloud Web Application Firewall (WAF) and Cloudflare WAF? **Alibaba Cloud Web Application Firewall (WAF)** is made by Alibaba Cloud. **Cloudflare WAF** is made by Cloudflare, Inc. The vendor behind a product decides its roadmap, support, and longevity, so check each company's profile before you commit. ### Is Alibaba Cloud Web Application Firewall (WAF) a good alternative to Cloudflare WAF? Often, yes. Alibaba Cloud Web Application Firewall (WAF) and Cloudflare WAF are both Cloud Web Application and API Protection products, and both cover WAF. Use the table above to see where features, deployment and company size fit differ. ## Related comparisons - [Alibaba Cloud Web Application Firewall (WAF) vs MONITORAPP AIWAF](https://cybersectools.com/compare/alibaba-cloud-ai-doc-vs-monitorapp-aiwaf) - [Alibaba Cloud Web Application Firewall (WAF) vs Array ASF Series Web Application Firewall](https://cybersectools.com/compare/alibaba-cloud-ai-doc-vs-array-asf-series-web-application-firewall) - [Alibaba Cloud Web Application Firewall (WAF) vs DBAppSecurity DAS Web Application Firewall](https://cybersectools.com/compare/alibaba-cloud-ai-doc-vs-dbappsecurity-das-web-application-firewall) - [Cloudflare WAF vs MONITORAPP AIWAF](https://cybersectools.com/compare/monitorapp-aiwaf-vs-cloudflare-waf) - [Cloudflare WAF vs Array ASF Series Web Application Firewall](https://cybersectools.com/compare/array-asf-series-web-application-firewall-vs-cloudflare-waf) - [Cloudflare WAF vs DBAppSecurity DAS Web Application Firewall](https://cybersectools.com/compare/cloudflare-waf-vs-dbappsecurity-das-web-application-firewall) ## Alternatives to each - [See all Alibaba Cloud Web Application Firewall (WAF) alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/alibaba-cloud-ai-doc) - [See all Cloudflare WAF alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/cloudflare-waf) --- Source: https://cybersectools.com/compare/alibaba-cloud-ai-doc-vs-cloudflare-waf For AI agents: each product above has its own Markdown page (add .md to its URL, for example https://cybersectools.com/tools/alibaba-cloud-ai-doc.md). Every CybersecTools shortlist is listed at https://cybersectools.com/shortlists.md. More on Alibaba Cloud Web Application Firewall (WAF) and Cloudflare WAF: funding, momentum, hiring and news, plus the full product and company record, are available through the Mandos MCP Server (paid plans), which connects to AI assistants: https://mandos.io/mcp?utm_source=cybersectools.com&utm_medium=compare-md