# Alibaba Cloud Web Application Firewall (WAF) vs F5 WAF for Distributed Cloud: 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 WAF for Distributed Cloud](https://cybersectools.com/tools/f5-distributed-cloud-waf) 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. ## Our take What our shortlists say about the one we picked. ### [F5 WAF for Distributed Cloud](https://cybersectools.com/tools/f5-distributed-cloud-waf) 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](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) | F5 WAF for Distributed Cloud | |---|---|---| | 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 | SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise | | Company | Alibaba Cloud | F5 | | Headquarters | – | – | ### Use cases and capabilities | | Alibaba Cloud Web Application Firewall (WAF) | F5 WAF for Distributed Cloud | |---|---|---| | 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 WAF for Distributed Cloud** 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 WAF for Distributed Cloud** 6 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. - [F5 WAF for Distributed Cloud](https://cybersectools.com/tools/f5-distributed-cloud-waf) fits if you need both cloud and on-premises options. ## Alibaba Cloud Web Application Firewall (WAF) vs F5 WAF for Distributed Cloud FAQ Common questions when comparing Alibaba Cloud Web Application Firewall (WAF) vs F5 WAF for Distributed Cloud for cloud web application and API protection. ### What is the difference between Alibaba Cloud Web Application Firewall (WAF) and F5 WAF for Distributed Cloud? **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. ### Who makes Alibaba Cloud Web Application Firewall (WAF) and F5 WAF for Distributed Cloud? **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. ### Is Alibaba Cloud Web Application Firewall (WAF) a good alternative to F5 WAF for Distributed Cloud? 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. ## 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 WAF for Distributed Cloud vs Blindspot WAAP](https://cybersectools.com/compare/blindspot-waap-vs-f5-distributed-cloud-waf) - [F5 WAF for Distributed Cloud vs Imperva Web Application Firewall (WAF)](https://cybersectools.com/compare/f5-distributed-cloud-waf-vs-imperva-web-application-firewall-waf) - [F5 WAF for Distributed Cloud vs Akamai App & API Protector](https://cybersectools.com/compare/akamai-app-and-api-protector-vs-f5-distributed-cloud-waf) ## 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 WAF for Distributed Cloud alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/f5-distributed-cloud-waf) --- Source: https://cybersectools.com/compare/alibaba-cloud-web-application-firewall-waf-vs-f5-distributed-cloud-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-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 WAF for Distributed Cloud: 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