# F5 WAF for Distributed Cloud vs Imperva Web Application Firewall (WAF): 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). [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 each one. ### [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. ### [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 WAF for Distributed Cloud | 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 | SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise | SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise | | Company | F5 | Imperva | | Headquarters | – | – | ### Use cases and capabilities | | F5 WAF for Distributed Cloud | Imperva Web Application Firewall (WAF) | |---|---|---| | Bot Protection | Yes | – | | WAF | Yes | Yes | | SQL Injection | – | Yes | | XSS | – | Yes | ### Core features **F5 WAF for Distributed Cloud** 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 WAF for Distributed Cloud** 6 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. ## F5 WAF for Distributed Cloud vs Imperva Web Application Firewall (WAF) FAQ Common questions when comparing F5 WAF for Distributed Cloud vs Imperva Web Application Firewall (WAF) for cloud web application and API protection. ### What is the difference between F5 WAF for Distributed Cloud and Imperva Web Application Firewall (WAF)? **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. ### Who makes F5 WAF for Distributed Cloud and Imperva Web Application Firewall (WAF)? **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. ### Is F5 WAF for Distributed Cloud a good alternative to Imperva Web Application Firewall (WAF)? 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. ## Related comparisons - [F5 WAF for Distributed Cloud vs Alibaba Cloud Web Application Firewall (WAF)](https://cybersectools.com/compare/alibaba-cloud-web-application-firewall-waf-vs-f5-distributed-cloud-waf) - [F5 WAF for Distributed Cloud vs Blindspot WAAP](https://cybersectools.com/compare/blindspot-waap-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) - [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 WAF for Distributed Cloud alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/f5-distributed-cloud-waf) - [See all Imperva Web Application Firewall (WAF) alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/imperva-web-application-firewall-waf) --- Source: https://cybersectools.com/compare/f5-distributed-cloud-waf-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-distributed-cloud-waf.md). Every CybersecTools shortlist is listed at https://cybersectools.com/shortlists.md. More on F5 WAF for Distributed Cloud 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