Azure Web Application Firewall Reviews

Name: Azure Web Application Firewall
Brand: Microsoft
Rating: 4.3 (13 reviews)

4.3 out of 5

13 reviews
92% willing to recommend

What is Azure Web Application Firewall?

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.

Get the Web Application Firewall (WAF) Buyer's Guide and find out what your peers are saying about Azure Web Application Firewall, Prisma Cloud by Palo Alto Networks, Microsoft Azure Application Gateway and more!

Azure Web Application Firewall is the #13 ranked solution in top Web Application Firewalls and #21 ranked solution in top Microsoft Security Suite solutions. PeerSpot users give Azure Web Application Firewall an average rating of 8.6 out of 10. Azure Web Application Firewall is most commonly compared to Prisma Cloud by Palo Alto Networks: Azure Web Application Firewall vs Prisma Cloud by Palo Alto Networks. Azure Web Application Firewall is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 61% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a computer software company, accounting for 20% of all views.

Buyer's Guide

Web Application Firewall (WAF)

January 2025

Get the category report

Helped 831,881 peers since 2012

Featured reviews

Thomas Zebar

Azure Principal Architect at Cloud Computech Consultancy

We use the solution to protect our web applications. It is important to protect web applications from the core, such as SQL injection. We can leverage the built-in Microsoft application, such as Defender, to do this. Application firewalls offer many benefits The WAF protection is the most…

Read full review

Audrien Manfo

President & Chief Executive Officer at a hospitality company with 11-50 employees

The initial setup is fairly easy. I'd rate it seven out of ten. We have two people deploying the product. They are engineers that handle Azure cloud security. We have around 11 people maintaining the solution. For example, if something changes in the network grid, or if there is a configuration change necessary, they would jump in to adjust. They also monitor all events to make sure nothing is wrong internally. Mostly, cybersecurity analysts manage it.

Read full review

Mano Senaratne

Management Consultant at a consultancy with 201-500 employees

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.

Read full review

Azure Web Application Firewall mindshare

Product category:

As of January 2025, the mindshare of Azure Web Application Firewall in the Web Application Firewall (WAF) category stands at 5.2%, up from 5.1% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Web Application Firewall (WAF)

Key learnings from peers

Last updated Jan 27, 2025

Valuable Features

Azure Web Application Firewall offers valuable features such as seamless integration with Azure, easy configuration, and powerful request filtering using custom and OWASP rules. It provides strong security, minimal management skills, and effective monitoring with good dashboards. Users benefit from automation, scalable setup, flexible pricing, and full control over network configuration. Protection against DDoS attacks, high security for secrets, and smooth GitHub integration are highly regarded, as well as the comprehensive Microsoft ecosystem support.

"I can only strongly recommend using the Azure Web Application Firewall."
"The return on investment is good."
"Configuration is much easier than using different platforms."

Room for Improvement

Azure Web Application Firewall requires improvements in support, documentation, and deployment simplicity. Users express the need for enhanced management and configuration options, including public and private IP activation and proxy forwarding. Performance concerns and a desire for more robust reporting features are noted. A pricing structure suited for smaller companies is suggested. Expanding features to match industry leaders like Barracuda and incorporating more comprehensive inspection functionality are recommended.

"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."
"Upgrading the platform regularly is necessary for security, however, frequent updates every six months or year from Azure can be a maintenance overhead."
"From my point of view, there is no need for improvement."

ROI

Users of Azure Web Application Firewall noticed cost savings since shifting to the cloud, reducing administration expenses. Their platform became more attractive by meeting customer security needs. Alternatives like Fortinet and Palo Alto were costly and vulnerable to attacks such as Log4j. AI-based recommendations contributed to time and cost savings, enhancing their return on investment. They invoiced clients more effectively, achieving better returns for applications in use and during client engagements.

Pricing

Azure Web Application Firewall pricing is generally considered fair and manageable, especially under enterprise agreements with Microsoft. While costs can vary based on architecture and deployment, users appreciate the control Azure offers over expenses. The regular license fee is valued for its simplicity compared to AWS. Pricing is reasonable in regions like Brazil, and is often preferred for its differentiation and cost-efficiency relative to AWS and GCP. However, some users note higher costs with advanced SKUs.

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

Popular Use Cases

Organizations primarily utilize Azure Web Application Firewall to shield web services from external threats and enhance internal branch connectivity. They employ it as a reverse proxy and for log analysis, filtering traffic based on server configurations. It safeguards against threats like SQL injection, UPII, DDoS, phishing, and spam. Users utilize it for cloud security, automated features, and analyzing end-user requests, integrating it with application security and RBAC for comprehensive protection.

Service and Support

Azure Web Application Firewall customer service is generally rated as good, with some users finding it excellent depending on their support level. Premium support plans tend to offer better service, while standard plans may not meet some customers' expectations. Microsoft technical support is usually knowledgeable and professional, often providing prompt responses within 24 hours. Users appreciate the ability to communicate in their native language, which enhances the understanding of issues. Microsoft's response times are often acceptable.

Deployment

Multiple users found Azure Web Application Firewall's initial setup to be easy and intuitive, with times ranging from 30 minutes to two hours. Many highlighted its straightforward process, needing knowledge of rules, DNS, and traffic factors. Some took longer, mentioning complexity and the need for adjustments. Guides and documentation were helpful, except when using OpenAI with Azure Search Service. Maintenance requires a team, usually of cybersecurity analysts, to ensure smooth operation.

Scalability

Azure Web Application Firewall demonstrates strong scalability, appreciated by users who have successfully expanded usage as required. Many companies manage various client deployments with ease, adjusting resource levels smoothly. Different installations support both small teams and thousands of end users. Though scalability depends in part on subscription levels and specific configurations, users manage to overcome these challenges. Its capability to handle complex workloads and diverse cloud applications adds to its value.

Stability

Azure Web Application Firewall is highly stable according to multiple sources. Users report no significant issues, bugs, or crashes. Some note occasional connectivity problems in Brazil due to external factors, but this is not widespread. Past delays in applying changes have been resolved, and latency issues are minimal. The service works reliably with an occasional need for system restarts, though this is rare. Many assess stability highly, suggesting it's dependable in their experiences.

These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.

Download our Web Application Firewall (WAF) Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.