


NetScaler and Akamai App and API Protector compete in the web application security space. Akamai appears to have the upper hand due to its superior AI-driven threat intelligence and robust DDoS protection capabilities.
Features: NetScaler provides a flexible deployment model enabled by Citrix’s TriScale architecture, comprehensive traffic management such as SSL offload, robust Global Server Load Balancing, and a resilient web application firewall. Akamai App and API Protector offers exceptional DDoS protection, sophisticated WAF capabilities, and advanced AI-driven threat intelligence, delivering top-notch web application protection.
Room for Improvement: NetScaler could benefit from enhanced feature innovation, especially in asymmetric web content optimization and configuration flexibility. The complexity and insufficiency of documentation pose additional challenges. Akamai could simplify the complexity of rules, improve advanced Layer 7 protection, and enhance custom rule applications alongside more detailed documentation.
Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: NetScaler offers versatility in deployment across on-premises and hybrid cloud environments, though complexity in configuration is often noted as a hindrance. Akamai's primarily cloud-based approach is attractive for cloud-focused deployments, yet customer service feedback varies similarly to NetScaler, with noted areas for improvement in support responsiveness and expertise.
Pricing and ROI: Both NetScaler and Akamai are seen as costly solutions. NetScaler's pricing model involves licensing complexities and extra expenses, whereas Akamai's usage-based charges can become substantial for high-traffic scenarios. Despite the high costs, both solutions deliver solid ROI by boosting security and performance, though users express a desire for more affordable pricing, particularly for smaller enterprises.
My experience with the pricing or licensing of Cloudflare Web Application Firewall is that many features can be accessed for free, so the pricing is definitely reasonable.
I would rate the technical support with Cloudflare as excellent every time I've had to contact them.
The technical support of Cloudflare Web Application Firewall rates between five and seven at maximum.
The scalability of Cloudflare Web Application Firewall rates between 8 to 9, as it depends upon the use cases and what exactly the client needs.
The stability of Cloudflare Web Application Firewall deserves a perfect 10 out of 10.
Cloudflare will check the order of the message, and if you, as a customer, are not connected or have some kind of network issue, when you reconnect, you will receive the latest state and missing updates.
The product can improve by having more multitenancy capability, which is currently not available.
I think they're doing a good job with DNS and as support for any domains that I create or that my clients create, it's mandatory for me to ensure they have Cloudflare as their DNS provider.
The custom rules and the geo-redundant geographical rule feature, which allows me to implement geographical rules for customers, add significant value.
All the DNS and everything is routed through Cloudflare, so anybody coming to any of the sites has to go through Cloudflare first, making them the first wall of defense.
We are in the gambling business, in the betting business, so we have constant daily DDoS attacks, and it's always working fine.
The area in which Akamai excels compared to other competitors with a WAF is in threat intelligence, as threats continually evolve, requiring ongoing updates to backend algorithms to effectively capture smart bots.
| Product | Market Share (%) |
|---|---|
| Cloudflare Web Application Firewall | 5.6% |
| NetScaler | 4.1% |
| Akamai App and API Protector | 3.0% |
| Other | 87.3% |

| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 16 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 6 |
| Large Enterprise | 6 |
| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 4 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 7 |
| Large Enterprise | 18 |
| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 45 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 23 |
| Large Enterprise | 57 |
Cloudflare Web Application Firewall's intuitive dashboard enables users to build powerful rules through easy clicks and also provides Terraform integration. Every request to the WAF is inspected against the rule engine and the threat intelligence curated from protecting over 27 Million websites. Suspicious requests can be blocked, challenged or logged as per the needs of the user while legitimate requests are routed to the destination, agnostic of whether it lives on-premise or in the cloud. Analytics and Cloudflare Logs enable visibility into actionable metrics for the user.
Akamai App and API Protector provides website security by preventing DDoS attacks, acting as an application firewall, managing content delivery, and monitoring APIs. It adapts to threat profiles and is used for fast media delivery and identifying malicious activities.
Akamai App and API Protector offers strong protection, adaptable security features, and efficient traffic management. Its WAF blocks IP addresses and country-specific threats while preventing SQL injections. Companies utilize it for scalable CDN services and comprehensive traffic analysis. Known for its cost-effectiveness and user-friendly dashboard, this protector stands out for its customizable rules and technical support. Users also highlight the ease of integration and detailed attack insights available through its advanced dashboard.
What are the key features of Akamai App and API Protector?In media, Akamai App and API Protector ensures smooth streaming by handling high bandwidth demands. E-commerce companies use it to guard against fraud and data breaches. Financial sectors rely on its ability to protect sensitive transactions. Implementations in healthcare focus on safeguarding patient data while maintaining compliance with regulations.
NetScaler is an advanced application delivery controller providing load balancing, SSL offloading, and enhanced network performance. Users benefit from its robust security features, seamless Citrix integrations, and cost-effective infrastructure.
Designed to optimize and secure application delivery, NetScaler offers high availability and supports data centers with its load balancing and reverse proxy capabilities. It ensures effective traffic management and provides valuable insights into network health while integrating easily with Citrix products. Users appreciate its centralized management via ADM and flexible deployment options tailored to their infrastructure needs. However, there is room for improvement in its management tools, interface, and documentation, alongside a need for security enhancements and better licensing flexibility.
What are the most important features of NetScaler?NetScaler is implemented across sectors like healthcare, finance, and education to guarantee secure remote access, enhance application network management, and support virtual desktops. Its application gateways and VPN access capabilities make it ideal for industries needing secure and efficient connectivity solutions.
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