# Alibaba Cloud Web Application Firewall (WAF) vs F5 Application Delivery and Security Platform (ADSP): side-by-side comparison (2026)

[Alibaba Cloud Web Application Firewall (WAF)](https://cybersectools.com/tools/alibaba-cloud-web-application-firewall-waf) 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). [F5 Application Delivery and Security Platform (ADSP)](https://cybersectools.com/tools/f5-application-delivery-and-security-platform-adsp) is a commercial [cloud web application and API protection](https://cybersectools.com/categories/cloud-waap) solution by [F5](https://cybersectools.com/companies/f5). Features, integrations, deployment and the company behind each one, side by side.

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) | F5 Application Delivery and Security Platform (ADSP) |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Commercial | Commercial |
| Category | Cloud Web Application and API Protection | Cloud Web Application and API Protection |
| Verified | No | No |
| Deployment type | Cloud | Hybrid |
| Company size fit | SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise | Mid-Market, Enterprise |
| Company | Alibaba Cloud | F5 |
| Headquarters | – | – |

### Use cases and capabilities

| | Alibaba Cloud Web Application Firewall (WAF) | F5 Application Delivery and Security Platform (ADSP) |
|---|---|---|
| Bot Protection | Yes | Yes |
| SQL Injection | Yes | – |
| XSS | Yes | – |
| WAF | Yes | Yes |

### Core features

**Alibaba Cloud Web Application Firewall (WAF)**

10 features listed. Sign in on the page to see them.

**F5 Application Delivery and Security Platform (ADSP)**

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.

**F5 Application Delivery and Security Platform (ADSP)**

3 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-web-application-firewall-waf) fits if you want a cloud product and you are a small business.
- [F5 Application Delivery and Security Platform (ADSP)](https://cybersectools.com/tools/f5-application-delivery-and-security-platform-adsp) fits if you need both cloud and on-premises options.

## Alibaba Cloud Web Application Firewall (WAF) vs F5 Application Delivery and Security Platform (ADSP) FAQ

Common questions when comparing Alibaba Cloud Web Application Firewall (WAF) vs F5 Application Delivery and Security Platform (ADSP) for cloud web application and API protection.

### What is the difference between Alibaba Cloud Web Application Firewall (WAF) and F5 Application Delivery and Security Platform (ADSP)?

**Alibaba Cloud Web Application Firewall (WAF)**: Cloud-based WAF providing web app, API, and bot protection for cloud services. Built by Alibaba Cloud.

**F5 Application Delivery and Security Platform (ADSP)**: Platform for app delivery, security, API protection, and WAF across environments. Built by F5.

The table above shows where their features, integrations, deployment and company size fit differ.

### Who makes Alibaba Cloud Web Application Firewall (WAF) and F5 Application Delivery and Security Platform (ADSP)?

**Alibaba Cloud Web Application Firewall (WAF)** is made by Alibaba Cloud. **F5 Application Delivery and Security Platform (ADSP)** is made by F5. 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 F5 Application Delivery and Security Platform (ADSP)?

Often, yes. Alibaba Cloud Web Application Firewall (WAF) and F5 Application Delivery and Security Platform (ADSP) are both Cloud Web Application and API Protection products, and both cover Bot Protection, WAF. Use the table above to see where features, deployment and company size fit differ.

## Related comparisons

- [Alibaba Cloud Web Application Firewall (WAF) vs Blindspot WAAP](https://cybersectools.com/compare/alibaba-cloud-web-application-firewall-waf-vs-blindspot-waap)
- [Alibaba Cloud Web Application Firewall (WAF) vs Imperva Web Application Firewall (WAF)](https://cybersectools.com/compare/alibaba-cloud-web-application-firewall-waf-vs-imperva-web-application-firewall-waf)
- [Alibaba Cloud Web Application Firewall (WAF) vs Akamai App & API Protector](https://cybersectools.com/compare/akamai-app-and-api-protector-vs-alibaba-cloud-web-application-firewall-waf)
- [F5 Application Delivery and Security Platform (ADSP) vs Blindspot WAAP](https://cybersectools.com/compare/blindspot-waap-vs-f5-application-delivery-and-security-platform-adsp)
- [F5 Application Delivery and Security Platform (ADSP) vs Imperva Web Application Firewall (WAF)](https://cybersectools.com/compare/f5-application-delivery-and-security-platform-adsp-vs-imperva-web-application-firewall-waf)
- [F5 Application Delivery and Security Platform (ADSP) vs Akamai App & API Protector](https://cybersectools.com/compare/akamai-app-and-api-protector-vs-f5-application-delivery-and-security-platform-adsp)

## Alternatives to each

- [See all Alibaba Cloud Web Application Firewall (WAF) alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/alibaba-cloud-web-application-firewall-waf)
- [See all F5 Application Delivery and Security Platform (ADSP) alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/f5-application-delivery-and-security-platform-adsp)

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Source: https://cybersectools.com/compare/alibaba-cloud-web-application-firewall-waf-vs-f5-application-delivery-and-security-platform-adsp

For AI agents: each product above has its own Markdown page (add .md to its URL, for example https://cybersectools.com/tools/alibaba-cloud-web-application-firewall-waf.md). Every CybersecTools shortlist is listed at https://cybersectools.com/shortlists.md.

More on Alibaba Cloud Web Application Firewall (WAF) and F5 Application Delivery and Security Platform (ADSP): 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
