# Application Gateway vs F5 WAF for NGINX and F5 DoS for NGINX: side-by-side comparison (2026)

[Application Gateway](https://cybersectools.com/tools/application-gateway) is a free [cloud web application and API protection](https://cybersectools.com/categories/cloud-waap) solution. [F5 WAF for NGINX and F5 DoS for NGINX](https://cybersectools.com/tools/f5-waf-for-nginx-and-f5-dos-for-nginx) 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

| | Application Gateway | F5 WAF for NGINX and F5 DoS for NGINX |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free | 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 | – | F5 |
| Headquarters | – | – |

### Use cases and capabilities

| | Application Gateway | F5 WAF for NGINX and F5 DoS for NGINX |
|---|---|---|
| Azure | Yes | – |
| Infrastructure | Yes | – |
| Bot Protection | – | Yes |
| DDoS | – | Yes |
| OWASP | – | Yes |
| WAF | – | Yes |
| Kubernetes | – | Yes |

### Core features

**Application Gateway**

No features listed.

**F5 WAF for NGINX and F5 DoS for NGINX**

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

### Integrations

**Application Gateway**

No integrations listed.

**F5 WAF for NGINX and F5 DoS for NGINX**

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.

- [Application Gateway](https://cybersectools.com/tools/application-gateway) fits if you want a cloud product and you need a free product.
- [F5 WAF for NGINX and F5 DoS for NGINX](https://cybersectools.com/tools/f5-waf-for-nginx-and-f5-dos-for-nginx) fits if you need both cloud and on-premises options.

## Application Gateway vs F5 WAF for NGINX and F5 DoS for NGINX FAQ

Common questions when comparing Application Gateway vs F5 WAF for NGINX and F5 DoS for NGINX for cloud web application and API protection.

### What is the difference between Application Gateway and F5 WAF for NGINX and F5 DoS for NGINX?

**Application Gateway**: Load-balancing solution by Microsoft Azure with global infrastructure and financial guidance.

**F5 WAF for NGINX and F5 DoS for NGINX**: WAF and L7 DoS protection for modern apps and APIs in DevOps environments. Built by F5.

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

### Is Application Gateway a good alternative to F5 WAF for NGINX and F5 DoS for NGINX?

Often, yes. Application Gateway and F5 WAF for NGINX and F5 DoS for NGINX are both Cloud Web Application and API Protection products. Key differences: Application Gateway is Free while F5 WAF for NGINX and F5 DoS for NGINX is Commercial. Use the table above to see where features, deployment and company size fit differ.

## Related comparisons

- [Application Gateway vs Akamai App & API Protector](https://cybersectools.com/compare/akamai-app-and-api-protector-vs-application-gateway)
- [Application Gateway vs A10 Networks ThreatX](https://cybersectools.com/compare/a10-networks-threatx-vs-application-gateway)
- [Application Gateway vs Wallarm Cloud-Native WAAP](https://cybersectools.com/compare/application-gateway-vs-wallarm-cloud-native-waap)
- [F5 WAF for NGINX and F5 DoS for NGINX vs Akamai App & API Protector](https://cybersectools.com/compare/akamai-app-and-api-protector-vs-f5-waf-for-nginx-and-f5-dos-for-nginx)
- [F5 WAF for NGINX and F5 DoS for NGINX vs A10 Networks ThreatX](https://cybersectools.com/compare/a10-networks-threatx-vs-f5-waf-for-nginx-and-f5-dos-for-nginx)
- [F5 WAF for NGINX and F5 DoS for NGINX vs Wallarm Cloud-Native WAAP](https://cybersectools.com/compare/f5-waf-for-nginx-and-f5-dos-for-nginx-vs-wallarm-cloud-native-waap)

## Alternatives to each

- [See all Application Gateway alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/application-gateway)
- [See all F5 WAF for NGINX and F5 DoS for NGINX alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/f5-waf-for-nginx-and-f5-dos-for-nginx)

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Source: https://cybersectools.com/compare/application-gateway-vs-f5-waf-for-nginx-and-f5-dos-for-nginx

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

More on Application Gateway and F5 WAF for NGINX and F5 DoS for NGINX: 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