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What's the Difference Between AWS Shield and AWS WAF?

Compare AWS Shield and AWS WAF side by side — features, pricing, and ideal use cases to help you choose the right product.

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Comparisons
AWS Shield
AWS WAF
Category

Security, Network / app protection

Security, Network / app protection
Description

Managed DDoS protection for web applications

Web application firewall that helps protect your web applications from common web exploits.
Best for
  • DDoS protection
  • Application availability
  • Cost protection
  • Attack visibility
  • Bot control
  • SQL injection protection
  • XSS protection
  • Rate limiting
  • IP reputation
Key features
  • Always-on detection
  • Automatic mitigation
  • DDoS Response Team
  • Cost protection
  • Real-time visibility
  • Managed rules
  • Custom rules
  • Bot Control
  • Account takeover prevention
  • Fraud Control
Pricing model

Standard: free; Advanced: $3,000/month

Pay per web ACL + rules + requests
Free tier

Yes

No
Expert take

“Shield Standard is automatic and free; it handles most network-layer DDoS. Shield Advanced adds the DDoS Response Team, cost protection (AWS credits back DDoS-induced scaling costs), and application-layer visibility. Worth it for internet-facing production workloads where downtime has real revenue impact.”
— Didier Durand, re:Post Top Contributor [profile]

“Start with AWS Managed Rules for the Core Rule Set and Known Bad Inputs; they cover OWASP Top 10 without custom logic. Add rate-based rules for DDoS at the application layer, and Bot Control to block scrapers and credential stuffers. Always deploy in Count mode first before switching to Block.”
— Oleksii Bebych, re:Post Top Contributor [profile]
Product page

Learn more about AWS Shield »

Learn more about AWS WAF »

When to use AWS Shield or AWS WAF

Use AWS Shield when:

  • DDoS protection
  • Application availability
  • Cost protection
  • Attack visibility

Learn more about AWS Shield »

Use AWS WAF when:

  • Bot control
  • SQL injection protection
  • XSS protection
  • Rate limiting
  • IP reputation

Learn more about AWS WAF »

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