F5 WAF for Distributed Cloud is a commercial cloud web application and API protection solution by F5. Imperva Web Application Firewall (WAF) is a commercial cloud web application and API protection solution by Imperva. Features, integrations, deployment and the company behind each one, side by side.
What our shortlists say about each one.
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, Fall 2026
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, Fall 2026
Reviewed by Nika (Nikoloz) Kokhreidze.
SaaS-based WAF for protecting web apps across multi-cloud, on-prem & edge
WAF protecting web apps and APIs from OWASP Top 10 and other threats
See more solutions in this category, or build a security stack from your picks.
Common questions when comparing F5 WAF for Distributed Cloud vs Imperva Web Application Firewall (WAF) for cloud web application and API protection.
F5 WAF for Distributed Cloud: SaaS-based WAF for protecting web apps across multi-cloud, on-prem & edge. 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.
F5 WAF for Distributed Cloud 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.
Often, yes. F5 WAF for Distributed Cloud 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.
Need the answer fast? Best Cloud WAAP Solutions for Business picks Cloudflare WAF, Akamai App & API Protector, Imperva Web Application Firewall (WAF) and 3 more.See the shortlist