@fastify/rate-limit vs TrustCaptcha: Side-by-Side Comparison (2026)
Features, pricing, ratings, and pros & cons — compared head-to-head.
@fastify/rate-limit is a free api security tool. TrustCaptcha is a commercial api security tool by TrustCaptcha. Compare features, ratings, integrations, and community reviews side by side to find the best api security fit for your security stack.
CST VerdictBased on our analysis of NIST CSF 2.0 coverage, core features, company size fit, deployment model, here is our conclusion:
Teams building Node.js APIs who need rate limiting without the operational overhead of a separate service should reach for @fastify/rate-limit. The plugin ships as a native Fastify middleware with sub-millisecond latency overhead, making it practical for high-throughput routes where traditional gateway-level rate limiting adds unacceptable latency. Not for buyers who need distributed rate limiting across multiple instances without in-memory state coordination or those who require sophisticated quota management beyond simple request-per-window rules.
Startups and SMBs protecting customer-facing web applications will appreciate TrustCaptcha's invisible verification that kills bot attacks without annoying users or hiring a security team to manage it. The proof-of-work mechanism makes attacks economically unfeasible, and EU-based processing means you stay GDPR-compliant without extra legal work. Skip this if you need multi-factor authentication or account takeover prevention beyond bot detection; TrustCaptcha solves one problem exceptionally well.
