Executive SummaryUpdated on Apr 20, 2025
Microsoft Azure Application Gateway and Cloudflare Web Application Firewall compete in the web security space. Cloudflare stands out for its cost-effective features compared to Azure.
Features: Azure Application Gateway provides Layer 7 access, enabling precise request and content management, load balancing, and strong API compatibility. Cloudflare Web Application Firewall shines with easy setup, comprehensive web attack protection, DDoS protection, rate-limiting, and CDN capabilities.
Room for Improvement: Azure needs enhancements in pricing, integration flexibility, and documentation, alongside scalability and multi-cloud integration. Cloudflare users call for updates to its ModSecurity core rule set, better documentation, and user interfaces, along with improved notification features and more granular reporting.
Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Azure benefits from broad cloud compatibility but can be complex in deployment, with inconsistent customer support. Cloudflare offers simplified deployment in public and hybrid clouds, yet its support could benefit from streamlining.
Pricing and ROI: Azure is perceived as costly, yet offers ROI through reduced infrastructure management times. Cloudflare is generally more affordable, providing ROI through infrastructure savings and multiple subscription options, although pricing can vary by region.
