Cloudflare is one of the most popular web application firewalls (WAFs) on the market. However, not every business wants or needs a fully cloud-managed, vendor-locked security solution. Whether you're looking for a self-hosted WAF, better customization, or simply a cost-effective alternative, this list covers 10 solid Cloudflare WAF alternatives worth considering in 2025.
1. SafeLine WAF
Type: Self-hosted
Price: Free (Community Edition) / $10 per month (Lite) / $100 per month (Pro)
Website: https://ly.safepoint.cloud/ShZAy9x
SafeLine is a fast-growing open-source WAF built by Chaitin Tech, designed for developers, homelab enthusiasts, and startups. Unlike traditional WAFs that rely on static rules or complex scripting, SafeLine uses a self-developed semantic analysis engine that analyzes HTTP traffic at a deeper logical level. It offers intuitive rule customization via a DSL-style logic builder—no need to write Lua or code.
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Pros:
- Self-hosted and privacy-respecting
- Powerful semantic detection engine
- Easy-to-use web UI and logic-based rules
- Active global community
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Cons:
- No native support for DNS challenge
- Limited official Kubernetes support (mostly Docker)
2. ModSecurity / OWASP CRS
Type: Self-hosted
Price: Free
Website: https://owasp.org/www-project-modsecurity-core-rule-set
ModSecurity is the most widely used open-source WAF, often deployed with NGINX or Apache. Combined with the OWASP Core Rule Set (CRS), it provides comprehensive protection against common vulnerabilities.
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Pros:
- Industry-standard and widely documented
- OWASP CRS provides good baseline protection
- Integrates with many web servers
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Cons:
- Performance overhead in high-traffic environments
- Rule tuning can be complex and error-prone
3. NGINX App Protect
Type: Commercial, Software-based
Price: Commercial license
Website: https://www.nginx.com/products/nginx-app-protect/
Developed by F5, this enterprise-grade WAF integrates directly with NGINX Plus, making it ideal for performance-focused deployments.
4. AWS WAF
Type: Managed (Cloud)
Price: Pay-as-you-go
Website: https://aws.amazon.com/waf/
A scalable, cloud-native WAF for applications hosted on AWS services like CloudFront, API Gateway, and ALB.
5. Fortinet FortiWeb
Type: Hardware/Virtual Appliance
Price: Commercial
Website: https://www.fortinet.com/products/web-application-firewall
A robust WAF platform supporting machine learning-based detection, API security, and bot protection.
6. Imperva Cloud WAF
Type: Cloud
Price: Commercial
Website: https://www.imperva.com
Imperva offers a mature, fully managed WAF service that’s often used in enterprise settings.
7. Sucuri WAF
Type: Cloud
Price: From $199.99/year
Website: https://sucuri.net
Sucuri is a security platform aimed at website owners, providing WAF, malware removal, and CDN services.
8. Wallarm
Type: Hybrid (Cloud & Node-based)
Price: Commercial
Website: https://www.wallarm.com
Wallarm focuses on API and microservice security, offering AI-based detection and automated rule learning.
9. Prophaze WAF
Type: Kubernetes-Native
Price: Commercial
Website: https://www.prophaze.com
Designed for modern DevOps environments, Prophaze runs natively on Kubernetes clusters and emphasizes automation.
10. BunkerWeb
Type: Self-hosted
Price: Free & Paid versions
Website: https://bunkerweb.io
An open-source WAF that integrates easily with Docker, Kubernetes, and traditional web stacks. It includes prebuilt rules for OWASP CRS and other protections.
Conclusion
Choosing the right WAF depends on your specific use case. If you're running high-traffic enterprise apps, options like NGINX App Protect or FortiWeb may suit you. For developers and growing startups that want full control and cost-efficiency, SafeLine stands out as a modern, self-hosted alternative. Explore and test a few before making your decision.
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