Alibaba Cloud Web Application Firewall (WAF) is a commercial cloud web application and API protection solution by Alibaba Cloud. F5 WAF for Distributed Cloud is a commercial cloud web application and API protection solution by F5. Features, integrations, deployment and the company behind each one, side by side.
What our shortlists say about the one we picked.
Best for: Teams running apps across many clouds
It earns a spot because one policy follows your apps wherever they run: F5's points of presence, your cloud accounts or your data center, on VMs, containers or serverless. That suits teams with apps spread across several clouds. If you take the managed option, ask which changes the 24x7 team makes on its own and which still need your sign-off.
From Best Cloud WAAP Solutions for Business, Fall 2026
Reviewed by Nika (Nikoloz) Kokhreidze.
Cloud-based WAF providing web app, API, and bot protection for cloud services
SaaS-based WAF for protecting web apps across multi-cloud, on-prem & edge
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Based on what each listing shows: deployment, company size, price and open source.
Alibaba Cloud Web Application Firewall (WAF) fits if you want a cloud product.
F5 WAF for Distributed Cloud fits if you need both cloud and on-premises options.
Common questions when comparing Alibaba Cloud Web Application Firewall (WAF) vs F5 WAF for Distributed Cloud for cloud web application and API protection.
Alibaba Cloud Web Application Firewall (WAF): Cloud-based WAF providing web app, API, and bot protection for cloud services. Built by Alibaba Cloud.
F5 WAF for Distributed Cloud: SaaS-based WAF for protecting web apps across multi-cloud, on-prem & edge. Built by F5.
The table above shows where their features, integrations, deployment and company size fit differ.
Alibaba Cloud Web Application Firewall (WAF) is made by Alibaba Cloud. F5 WAF for Distributed Cloud is made by F5. The vendor behind a product decides its roadmap, support, and longevity, so check each company's profile before you commit.
Often, yes. Alibaba Cloud Web Application Firewall (WAF) and F5 WAF for Distributed Cloud 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.
Need the answer fast? Best Cloud WAAP Solutions for Business picks Cloudflare WAF, Akamai App & API Protector, Imperva Web Application Firewall (WAF) and 3 more.See the shortlist
