Azure Web Application Firewall vs NetScaler comparison

Azure Web Application Firewall

Read 107 NetScaler reviews

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91% willing to recommend

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Jan 1, 2025

NetScaler and Azure Web Application Firewall both compete in the web application security category. Azure Web Application Firewall has an edge due to its integration with the Azure ecosystem, making it ideal for cloud-centric deployments and easier configuration.

Features: NetScaler provides flexible deployment options with features like SSL offloading, traffic management, and application delivery suited for complex setups. It incorporates TriScale architecture, which supports scalability and consolidation. In comparison, Azure Web Application Firewall integrates seamlessly with Azure services, offers DDoS protection, and leverages OWASP rules for effective request filtering.

Room for Improvement: NetScaler requires improvements in asymmetric optimization, better support for custom scripting, and enhanced troubleshooting documentation. Its graphical user interface could also be simpler and its pricing model more flexible for smaller deployments. Azure Web Application Firewall could benefit from better documentation, real-time monitoring features, and simplified licensing to support smaller enterprises.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: NetScaler offers deployment options for both cloud and on-premises environments, but users often need expert help to leverage its full capabilities. Its technical support, despite improvements, can be inconsistent. Azure Web Application Firewall provides straightforward integration within Azure, supported by a robust support network, though ticket resolution speed may be inconsistent.

Pricing and ROI: NetScaler's pricing is seen as high with a complex licensing structure, which might not be economical for small businesses, but its comprehensive features are valued by users. Azure Web Application Firewall provides competitive pricing within the Microsoft ecosystem, offering clear cost management and scalability that appeals to a wide range of organizations.

To learn more, read our detailed Azure Web Application Firewall vs. NetScaler Report (Updated: June 2025).

Azure Web Application Firewall vs. NetScaler

June 2025

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Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Categories and Ranking

Azure Web Application Firewall

Ranking in Web Application Firewall (WAF)

12th

Average Rating

8.6

Reviews Sentiment

7.1

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Microsoft Security Suite (20th)

NetScaler

Ranking in Web Application Firewall (WAF)

14th

Average Rating

8.4

Reviews Sentiment

7.0

Number of Reviews

107

Ranking in other categories

Application Delivery Controllers (ADC) (1st), Network Management Applications (5th)

Mindshare comparison

As of June 2025, in the Web Application Firewall (WAF) category, the mindshare of Azure Web Application Firewall is 4.4%, down from 4.7% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of NetScaler is 3.2%, down from 3.4% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Web Application Firewall (WAF)

Featured Reviews

Mano Senaratne

Management Consultant at a consultancy with 201-500 employees

Comprehensive suite simplifies configuration while frequent updates require management

Mainly, it comes with the complete suite of Microsoft services. I can use it in conjunction with the best options and other features that come with it. Configuration is much easier than using different platforms. For example, if I have hosted the application in AWS and am using the Application Firewall from Azure, there are certain additional steps to follow when configuring them. With Microsoft, everything is within a single suite, making it easier to configure and plan. Azure continually upgrades platforms and sends us messages to upgrade to the next version, simplifying the process. Later, it's much easier if I want to upgrade the software platform, scale it, or move it to a different application host as the whole suite comes together. The return on investment is good. If I am doing applications for clients, I can invoice them for better costs. Most applications that I run and use have a better return on investment.

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DEMİRHAN ÇAVUŞOĞLU

Cloud Consultant at Migros Ticaret A.Ş.

A tool for centralized management including inventory and sales tracking

Citrix ADM has the ability to implement policies to tighten security. For instance, you can restrict access to your network from outsiders or lack necessary security measures such as antivirus programs. Additionally, there's the Delivery Controller, which allows for comprehensive monitoring and management tasks such as remote restarts, maintenance, and registration. Another essential component is the Director, which provides detailed insights into sessions, including identifying session failures, connection issues, user lockouts, etc. It presents a list of problems to address, enabling you to click on them and resolve them efficiently.

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Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"It has been a stable product in my experience."

"It's great for protecting against DDoS attacks."

"The initial setup is easy and straightforward...Azure Web Application Firewall is a scalable product."

"It's quite a stable product and works well with Microsoft products."

"The most valuable feature is that it allows us to publish our applications behind the firewall."

"Azure WAF is extremely stable."

"The most valuable feature of Azure Web Application Firewall is its ability to filter requests and block false positives by using custom rules and the OWASP rule set."

"It's a good option if you want a solution that's ready to go and easy for your team to learn. It's cloud-based, so you don't need to buy or maintain any hardware infrastructure."

More Azure Web Application Firewall pros

"Content Redirection and SSO integration with Citrix XenApp/XenDesktop. The GUI was wonderful."

"The GSLB feature allows us to move services between data centers. We can do this in either a planned or unplanned manner. We have experienced service provider outages at our primary data center and GSLB will kick in to automatically modify DNS records to point to a secondary data center (active/passive). We also make use of GeoIP information to point clients to the closest data center for accessing applications."

"This solution allows the user to easily scale out application delivery, and provides secure remote access."

"If you need PCI-compliance and have high security requirements, WAF is the most valuable feature. If you need to monitor your load-balancing services with complex types of monitoring, make sure everything is alright, and load balancing is important, Content Switching and Monitoring features are the keys to your needs. If you want to provide a lot of static images or data, the Caching feature works best for you."

"When our primary link goes down I can still get to my Cisco devices and the NetScaler devices on-prem because of the SDN solution. If the internet connection at one of the branches goes down, we can still route them, they still get internet based on the SDN solution through one of the other sites. They can carry on working."

"The solution is easy to work with and manage."

"Its flexibility, agility, and robustness are the most valuable. Its management and implementation are also quite easy."

"The most valuable feature for us is the application firewalling in Citrix NetScaler, ensuring only valid traffic enters our environment."

More NetScaler pros

Cons

"From my point of view, there is no need for improvement."

"I would say that Azure's customer service is not that good...I am not very happy with the support offered."

"Some Azure applications, like the web application firewall, require a certain level of SKU for hosting setup. The basic setup does not allow me to use the web application firewall and other additional services."

"The management can be improved."

"The knowledge base could be improved."

"In Brazil, we have some problems with the phone service that affect our connection with the cloud. However, it isn't common."

"Deployment should be simplified so that a non-techie can handle it."

"There is a need to be able to configure the solution more."

More Azure Web Application Firewall cons

"Finding relevant documentation for learning NetScaler can be challenging, especially for beginners who prefer a web interface over command-line interfaces."

"Citrix ADM needs to improve on its additional features and reduce the communication ports."

"They can improve the scalability and the multi-tenancy feature. We recently tried to configure an authentication, and we ran into some issues while using the web-based GUI. It was very slow when you log in with your credentials in the web-based GUI. Each time we clicked on the menu, it tried to do the authentication. It works properly in the console."

"Citrix ADC is a complex product, and it takes time to understand these things. But the documentation is poor, and the deployment is difficult. Integration could also be better because what I find is that you cannot easily integrate the panel in the second sector. What I have found is that in the last index, there is a limitation when getting validated. Technical support could also be better."

"If one device or switch fails, the failover to another device is not seamless which is painful."

"It does not have a sandbox cloud service and antivirus. It should have on-prem or cloud sandboxing and antivirus."

"Needs configuration processes like disabling LB VIPs, automatically disabling the IPs used."

"Citrix is more expensive than Horizon."

More NetScaler cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"We have an enterprise agreement with Microsoft and the pricing is good."

"I give the pricing a nine out of ten."

"Azure WAF has price advantages over other WAF solutions. The pricing model is flexible because you pay on a scale based on the level of protection you need."

"The price of the solution depends on your architecture and how you manage it. You can control the cost in Azure quite well. The costs do not directly correlate to expenses in the features we are using."

"The price is reasonable. It is approximately $2,000 US per month."

"The price is for this solution is fair and there is a license needed."

"On a scale from one to ten, where one is cheap, and ten is expensive, I rate the solution's pricing an eight or nine out of ten."

"It is very pricey, but we get it. If you need the best, money shouldn't be a problem."

"The solution's pricing is very high compared to its competitors."

"The licensing costs for this solution vary depending on which model is being used."

"We have all the features and functions of Citrix because we have a premium license."

"There isn't much of a difference between the cost of Citrix and that of other similar solutions."

"Costly product and complicated licensing."

"The tool is cheap."

More NetScaler pricing and cost advice

See which vendors are best for you

Use our free recommendation engine to learn which Web Application Firewall (WAF) solutions are best for your needs.

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

18%

Financial Services Firm

12%

Manufacturing Company

11%

Government

Computer Software Company

15%

Financial Services Firm

11%

Government

Educational Organization

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Azure Web Application Firewall?

The integration it has with GitHub is great.

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Azure Web Application Firewall?

The pricing is okay at the moment. Sometimes, when opting for a higher SKU, it's not the WAF itself that's costly but the additional requirements. A higher SKU application hosting platform adds to ...

What needs improvement with Azure Web Application Firewall?

While using it, I identified certain areas where it would have been good to have additional features. Right now, I can't recall any specific instances. Seamless integration is good, yet having mult...

What do you like most about Citrix ADC?

The most valuable feature for us is the application firewalling in Citrix NetScaler, ensuring only valid traffic enters our environment.

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Citrix ADC?

After deployment, Citrix Netscaler shifted to a subscription-based license scheme for support, which is slightly more expensive.

What needs improvement with Citrix ADC?

Citrix NetScaler is a robust product, but mastering it requires significant learning and training due to its complexity. While it could be easier to manage, it is like transitioning from driving a ...

AWS WAF vs Azure Web Application Firewall

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Product Reports

Azure Web Application Firewall

June 2025

Download Azure Web Application Firewall product report

Download NetScaler product report

May 2025

Also Known As

No data available

Citrix ADC, Citrix NetScaler VPX, NetScaler Console, NetScaler Web Application Firewall

Overview

Azure Web Application Firewall (WAF) provides centralized protection of your web applications from common exploits and vulnerabilities. Web applications are increasingly targeted by malicious attacks that exploit commonly known vulnerabilities. SQL injection and cross-site scripting are among the most common attacks.

To learn more about our solution, ask questions, and share feedback, join our Microsoft Security, Compliance and Identity Community.

Microsoft

One platform for a consistent application delivery and security experience because nobody has time to learn multiple systems to manage ADC deployments. NetScaler is built with a single code base using a software-based architecture, so no matter which ADC form factor you choose — hardware, virtual machine, bare metal, or container — the behavior will be the same.

Sample Customers

Information Not Available

ABB Schweiz, Aer Lingus, AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Amnet Technology Solutions, Aramex International, Ascenty, Atos, Autodesk