# F5 WAF for Distributed Cloud vs Fastly Bot Management: side-by-side comparison (2026) [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). [Fastly Bot Management](https://cybersectools.com/tools/fastly-bot-management) is a commercial [bot management & CAPTCHA](https://cybersectools.com/categories/bot-management-captcha) solution by [Fastly](https://cybersectools.com/companies/fastly). 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 | | F5 WAF for Distributed Cloud | Fastly Bot Management | |---|---|---| | Pricing model | Commercial | Commercial | | Category | Cloud Web Application and API Protection | Bot Management & CAPTCHA | | Verified | No | No | | Deployment type | Hybrid | Cloud | | Company size fit | SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise | SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise | | Company | F5 | Fastly | | Headquarters | – | – | ### Use cases and capabilities | | F5 WAF for Distributed Cloud | Fastly Bot Management | |---|---|---| | Bot Protection | Yes | Yes | | WAF | Yes | – | ### Core features **F5 WAF for Distributed Cloud** 10 features listed. Sign in on the page to see them. **Fastly Bot Management** 10 features listed. Sign in on the page to see them. ### Integrations **F5 WAF for Distributed Cloud** 6 integrations listed. Sign in on the page to see them. **Fastly Bot Management** No integrations listed. ## Which one fits you Based on what each listing shows: deployment, company size, price and open source. - [F5 WAF for Distributed Cloud](https://cybersectools.com/tools/f5-distributed-cloud-waf) fits if you need both cloud and on-premises options. - [Fastly Bot Management](https://cybersectools.com/tools/fastly-bot-management) fits if you want a cloud product. ## F5 WAF for Distributed Cloud vs Fastly Bot Management FAQ Common questions when comparing F5 WAF for Distributed Cloud vs Fastly Bot Management for cloud web application and API protection. ### What is the difference between F5 WAF for Distributed Cloud and Fastly Bot Management? **F5 WAF for Distributed Cloud**: SaaS-based WAF for protecting web apps across multi-cloud, on-prem & edge. Built by F5. **Fastly Bot Management**: Bot detection and mitigation solution for web apps and APIs. Built by Fastly. The table above shows where their features, integrations, deployment and company size fit differ. ### Who makes F5 WAF for Distributed Cloud and Fastly Bot Management? **F5 WAF for Distributed Cloud** is made by F5. **Fastly Bot Management** is made by Fastly. The vendor behind a product decides its roadmap, support, and longevity, so check each company's profile before you commit. ### Is F5 WAF for Distributed Cloud a good alternative to Fastly Bot Management? In part. F5 WAF for Distributed Cloud and Fastly Bot Management are not in the same category on CybersecTools. Both cover Bot Protection. Use the table above to see where features, deployment and company size fit differ. ## Related comparisons - [F5 WAF for Distributed Cloud vs Akamai App & API Protector](https://cybersectools.com/compare/akamai-app-and-api-protector-vs-f5-distributed-cloud-waf) - [F5 WAF for Distributed Cloud vs Indusface AppTrana AppSec Platform](https://cybersectools.com/compare/f5-distributed-cloud-waf-vs-indusface-apptrana-appsec-platform) - [F5 WAF for Distributed Cloud vs F5 WAF for NGINX and F5 DoS for NGINX](https://cybersectools.com/compare/f5-distributed-cloud-waf-vs-f5-waf-for-nginx-and-f5-dos-for-nginx) - [Fastly Bot Management vs Akamai App & API Protector](https://cybersectools.com/compare/akamai-app-and-api-protector-vs-fastly-bot-management) - [Fastly Bot Management vs Indusface AppTrana AppSec Platform](https://cybersectools.com/compare/fastly-bot-management-vs-indusface-apptrana-appsec-platform) - [Fastly Bot Management vs F5 WAF for NGINX and F5 DoS for NGINX](https://cybersectools.com/compare/f5-waf-for-nginx-and-f5-dos-for-nginx-vs-fastly-bot-management) ## Alternatives to each - [See all F5 WAF for Distributed Cloud alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/f5-distributed-cloud-waf) - [See all Fastly Bot Management alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/fastly-bot-management) --- Source: https://cybersectools.com/compare/f5-distributed-cloud-waf-vs-fastly-bot-management For AI agents: each product above has its own Markdown page (add .md to its URL, for example https://cybersectools.com/tools/f5-distributed-cloud-waf.md). Every CybersecTools shortlist is listed at https://cybersectools.com/shortlists.md. More on F5 WAF for Distributed Cloud and Fastly Bot Management: 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