# @fastify/rate-limit vs Imperva API Security: side-by-side comparison (2026)

[@fastify/rate-limit](https://cybersectools.com/tools/fastifyrate-limit) is a free [API security](https://cybersectools.com/categories/api-security) solution. [Imperva API Security](https://cybersectools.com/tools/imperva-api-security) is a commercial [API security](https://cybersectools.com/categories/api-security) 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 API Security](https://cybersectools.com/tools/imperva-api-security)

Best for: Imperva WAF customers adding API discovery

Imperva earns a spot because it catches one user reading another user's data as it happens and can block it inline through the WAF you may already run. It suits you best if that WAF is Imperva Cloud WAF or WAF Gateway, and its self-managed option helps on hybrid estates. Imperva is now part of Thales, so check the roadmap and support model after that move.

From [Best API Security Solutions for Business](https://cybersectools.com/shortlists/best-api-security-solutions), Fall 2026.

Reviewed by [Nika (Nikoloz) Kokhreidze](https://cybersectools.com/about).

Need the answer fast? [Best API Security Solutions for Business](https://cybersectools.com/shortlists/best-api-security-solutions) picks Akamai API Security, Salt Security Salt Collect, Cloudflare API Shield and 4 more.

## Side-by-side comparison

| | @fastify/rate-limit | Imperva API Security |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Free | Commercial |
| Category | API Security | API Security |
| Verified | No | No |
| Deployment type | On-Premises | Hybrid |
| Company size fit | Startup, SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise | SMB, Mid-Market, Enterprise |
| GitHub stars | 588 | – |
| Last commit | Mar 2026 | – |
| Company | – | Imperva |
| Headquarters | – | – |

### Use cases and capabilities

| | @fastify/rate-limit | Imperva API Security |
|---|---|---|
| Web Security | Yes | – |
| Bot Protection | – | Yes |
| OWASP | – | Yes |
| WAF | – | Yes |

### Core features

**@fastify/rate-limit**

No features listed.

**Imperva API Security**

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

### Integrations

**@fastify/rate-limit**

No integrations listed.

**Imperva API Security**

8 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.

- [@fastify/rate-limit](https://cybersectools.com/tools/fastifyrate-limit) fits if you need to run it on your own servers, you are a startup, you need a free product and you want an open-source product.
- [Imperva API Security](https://cybersectools.com/tools/imperva-api-security) fits if you need both cloud and on-premises options.

## @fastify/rate-limit vs Imperva API Security FAQ

Common questions when comparing @fastify/rate-limit vs Imperva API Security for API security.

### What is the difference between @fastify/rate-limit and Imperva API Security?

**@fastify/rate-limit**: A low overhead rate limiter for your routes.

**Imperva API Security**: Unified API security platform for discovery, risk assessment, and mitigation, built by Imperva.

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

### Who makes @fastify/rate-limit and Imperva API Security?

**@fastify/rate-limit** is open-source with 588 GitHub stars. **Imperva API Security** 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 @fastify/rate-limit a good alternative to Imperva API Security?

Often, yes. @fastify/rate-limit and Imperva API Security are both API Security products. Key differences: @fastify/rate-limit is Free while Imperva API Security is Commercial, @fastify/rate-limit is open-source. Use the table above to see where features, deployment and company size fit differ.

## Related comparisons

- [@fastify/rate-limit vs Ammune API Discovery](https://cybersectools.com/compare/ammune-api-discovery-vs-fastifyrate-limit)
- [@fastify/rate-limit vs Indusface AppTrana - API Protection](https://cybersectools.com/compare/fastifyrate-limit-vs-indusface-apptrana-api-protection)
- [@fastify/rate-limit vs Cequence API Security](https://cybersectools.com/compare/cequence-api-security-vs-fastifyrate-limit)
- [Imperva API Security vs Ammune API Discovery](https://cybersectools.com/compare/ammune-api-discovery-vs-imperva-api-security)
- [Imperva API Security vs Indusface AppTrana - API Protection](https://cybersectools.com/compare/imperva-api-security-vs-indusface-apptrana-api-protection)
- [Imperva API Security vs Cequence API Security](https://cybersectools.com/compare/cequence-api-security-vs-imperva-api-security)

## Alternatives to each

- [See all @fastify/rate-limit alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/fastifyrate-limit)
- [See all Imperva API Security alternatives](https://cybersectools.com/alternatives/imperva-api-security)

---

Source: https://cybersectools.com/compare/fastifyrate-limit-vs-imperva-api-security

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

More on @fastify/rate-limit and Imperva API Security: 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