Application Gateway vs Cloudflare WAF: side-by-side comparison (2026)
Application Gateway is a free cloud web application and API protection solution. Cloudflare WAF is a commercial cloud web application and API protection solution by 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
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, Fall 2026
Reviewed by Nika (Nikoloz) Kokhreidze.
Load-balancing solution by Microsoft Azure with global infrastructure and financial guidance.
A cloud-based web application firewall that protects applications from various cyber threats through rule-based filtering, machine learning detection, and integrated security features.
Side-by-side comparison
Feature
Application Gateway
Cloudflare WAF
Pricing model
Free
Commercial
Category
Cloud Web Application and API Protection
Cloud Web Application and API Protection
Deployment and fit
Deployment type
Cloud
Cloud
Company size fit
SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise
Startup, SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise
Company
Company
–
Cloudflare, Inc.
Use cases and capabilities
Azure
Yes
No
Infrastructure
Yes
No
DDoS
No
Yes
Web Security
No
Yes
WAF
No
Yes
Core features
No features listed
10 features listed
Integrations
No integrations listed
13 integrations listed
Need help choosing?
See more solutions in this category, or build a security stack from your picks.
