# F5 Application Delivery and Security Platform (ADSP) vs Imperva Web Application Firewall (WAF): side-by-side comparison (2026) [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). [Imperva Web Application Firewall (WAF)](https://cybersectools.com/tools/imperva-web-application-firewall-waf) is a commercial [cloud web application and API protection](https://cybersectools.com/categories/cloud-waap) solution by [Imperva](https://cybersectools.com/companies/imperva). Features, integrations, deployment and the company behind each one, side by side. ## Our take What our shortlists say about the one we picked. ### [Imperva Web Application Firewall (WAF)](https://cybersectools.com/tools/imperva-web-application-firewall-waf) Best for: Regulated teams wanting managed rules, such as banks Its place here comes from choice: a cloud service, a gateway for older on-premises apps and an elastic option for modern ones, all in one product. The audit logging maps to PCI DSS and GDPR work, which helps if you answer to regulators. Decide which option each app needs, because running gateways in your own data center is a different job from using a cloud service. 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 | | F5 Application Delivery and Security Platform (ADSP) | Imperva Web Application Firewall (WAF) | |---|---|---| | Pricing model | Commercial | Commercial | | Category | Cloud Web Application and API Protection | Cloud Web Application and API Protection | | Verified | No | No | | Deployment type | Hybrid | Hybrid | | Company size fit | Mid-Market, Enterprise | SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise | | Company | F5 | Imperva | | Headquarters | – | – | ### Use cases and capabilities | | F5 Application Delivery and Security Platform (ADSP) | Imperva Web Application Firewall (WAF) | |---|---|---| | Bot Protection | Yes | – | | WAF | Yes | Yes | | SQL Injection | – | Yes | | XSS | – | Yes | ### Core features **F5 Application Delivery and Security Platform (ADSP)** 10 features listed. Sign in on the page to see them. **Imperva Web Application Firewall (WAF)** 10 features listed. Sign in on the page to see them. ### Integrations **F5 Application Delivery and Security Platform (ADSP)** 3 integrations listed. Sign in on the page to see them. **Imperva Web Application Firewall (WAF)** 4 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. - [Imperva Web Application Firewall (WAF)](https://cybersectools.com/tools/imperva-web-application-firewall-waf) fits if you are a small business. ## F5 Application Delivery and Security Platform (ADSP) vs Imperva Web Application Firewall (WAF) FAQ Common questions when comparing F5 Application Delivery and Security Platform (ADSP) vs Imperva Web Application Firewall (WAF) for cloud web application and API protection. ### What is the difference between F5 Application Delivery and Security Platform (ADSP) and Imperva Web Application Firewall (WAF)? **F5 Application Delivery and Security Platform (ADSP)**: Platform for app delivery, security, API protection, and WAF across environments. Built by F5. **Imperva Web Application Firewall (WAF)**: WAF protecting web apps and APIs from OWASP Top 10 and other threats. Built by Imperva. The table above shows where their features, integrations, deployment and company size fit differ. ### Who makes F5 Application Delivery and Security Platform (ADSP) and Imperva Web Application Firewall (WAF)? **F5 Application Delivery and Security Platform (ADSP)** is made by F5. **Imperva Web Application Firewall (WAF)** is made by Imperva. The vendor behind a product decides its roadmap, support, and longevity, so check each company's profile before you commit. ### Is F5 Application Delivery and Security Platform (ADSP) a good alternative to Imperva Web Application Firewall (WAF)? Often, yes. F5 Application Delivery and Security Platform (ADSP) and Imperva Web Application Firewall (WAF) are both Cloud Web Application and API Protection products, and both cover WAF. Use the table above to see where features, deployment and company size fit differ. ## Related comparisons - [F5 Application Delivery and Security Platform (ADSP) vs Alibaba Cloud Web Application Firewall (WAF)](https://cybersectools.com/compare/alibaba-cloud-web-application-firewall-waf-vs-f5-application-delivery-and-security-platform-adsp) - [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 Indusface AppTrana AppSec Platform](https://cybersectools.com/compare/f5-application-delivery-and-security-platform-adsp-vs-indusface-apptrana-appsec-platform) - [Imperva Web Application Firewall (WAF) vs Alibaba Cloud Web Application Firewall (WAF)](https://cybersectools.com/compare/alibaba-cloud-web-application-firewall-waf-vs-imperva-web-application-firewall-waf) - [Imperva Web Application Firewall (WAF) vs Blindspot WAAP](https://cybersectools.com/compare/blindspot-waap-vs-imperva-web-application-firewall-waf) - [Imperva Web Application Firewall (WAF) vs Indusface AppTrana AppSec Platform](https://cybersectools.com/compare/imperva-web-application-firewall-waf-vs-indusface-apptrana-appsec-platform) ## Alternatives to each - [See all F5 Application Delivery and Security Platform (ADSP) alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/f5-application-delivery-and-security-platform-adsp) - [See all Imperva Web Application Firewall (WAF) alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/imperva-web-application-firewall-waf) --- Source: https://cybersectools.com/compare/f5-application-delivery-and-security-platform-adsp-vs-imperva-web-application-firewall-waf For AI agents: each product above has its own Markdown page (add .md to its URL, for example https://cybersectools.com/tools/f5-application-delivery-and-security-platform-adsp.md). Every CybersecTools shortlist is listed at https://cybersectools.com/shortlists.md. More on F5 Application Delivery and Security Platform (ADSP) and Imperva Web Application Firewall (WAF): 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