PickYourTechPickYourTech home

Open-source alternatives to AWS WAF

Compare community-driven replacements for AWS WAF in waf & api security workflows. We curate active, self-hostable options with transparent licensing so you can evaluate the right fit quickly.

AWS WAF logo

AWS WAF

AWS WAF (Web Application Firewall) is a web security service that helps protect web applications and APIs from common web exploits such as SQL injection and cross-site scripting by allowing you to configure custom security rules. It integrates with services like Amazon CloudFront, ALB, and API Gateway, enabling users to filter and block malicious HTTP(S) traffic at the edge and monitor requests, thereby improving application security against bots and attacks.Read more
WAF & API Security
Visit Alternative Website

Key stats

  • 6Alternatives
  • 1Support self-hosting

    Run on infrastructure you control

  • 6Active development

    Recent commits in the last 6 months

  • 3Permissive licenses

    MIT, Apache, and similar licenses

Counts reflect projects currently indexed as alternatives to AWS WAF.

All open-source alternatives

UUSEC WAF logo

UUSEC WAF

Industrial‑grade AI‑powered WAF with zero‑day defense and scalable protection

Active developmentPermissive licenseFast to deployLua

Why teams choose it

  • Machine‑learning based 0‑day detection that builds whitelist rules automatically
  • Regex‑enabled cache purge for precise CDN acceleration
  • Host‑level HIPS and runtime RASP modules for dual‑layer protection

Watch for

Requires a pure Linux x86_64 environment

Migration highlight

E‑commerce site zero‑day protection

Automatic detection blocks SQL injection and XSS attacks with <0.1% false positives

Coraza logo

Coraza

High-performance Go-based WAF compatible with OWASP CRS v4

Active developmentPermissive licenseIntegration-friendlyGo

Why teams choose it

  • Drop‑in compatibility with ModSecurity SecLang rule sets
  • Full OWASP CRS v4 support for comprehensive attack coverage
  • Extensible library with plugins for Caddy, Envoy, HAProxy, and more

Watch for

Some integrations (HAProxy, C library, RuiQi) are still experimental

Migration highlight

Embedding Coraza in a Go microservice

Provides request‑level inspection and automatic blocking of OWASP Top Ten attacks.

ModSecurity logo

ModSecurity

High-performance, language-agnostic security engine for web traffic

Active developmentPermissive licenseIntegration-friendlyC++

Why teams choose it

  • Apache-independent core for true platform portability
  • C and C++ APIs with identical functionality
  • Dynamic rule loading from SecRule files or URIs

Watch for

Requires separate connector projects for each web server

Migration highlight

Integrate WAF into a custom C++ microservice

Real-time request inspection using SecRules without an external web server module

BunkerWeb logo

BunkerWeb

Secure your web services by default with a flexible WAF

Active developmentFast to deployIntegration-friendlyPython

Why teams choose it

  • NGINX‑based reverse proxy with built‑in WAF
  • Web UI for graphical configuration
  • Plugin system for custom security extensions

Watch for

Advanced PRO features require a paid license

Migration highlight

Protect public‑facing website

Automatic HTTPS, security headers, and bot challenges block attacks without manual rule creation.

Caddy WAF logo

Caddy WAF

Advanced, customizable WAF middleware for Caddy web server

Active developmentIntegration-friendlyAI-powered workflowsGo

Why teams choose it

  • Regex‑based deep inspection across request phases
  • Integrated IP/DNS/TOR blacklisting with file watchers
  • Geo‑IP country blocking and customizable rate limiting

Watch for

Requires Caddy build with module

Migration highlight

Prevent brute‑force login attempts

Rate limiting blocks excessive requests to authentication endpoints, reducing credential stuffing.

SafeLine logo

SafeLine

Self‑hosted WAF that shields web apps from attacks

Self-host friendlyActive developmentPrivacy-firstGo

Why teams choose it

  • Comprehensive web‑attack blocking (SQLi, XSS, RCE, etc.)
  • Built‑in rate limiting and DoS protection
  • Anti‑bot and authentication challenges

Watch for

Requires own infrastructure and maintenance

Migration highlight

E‑commerce checkout protection

Blocks injection attacks, reducing fraud and downtime

Choosing a waf & api security alternative

Teams replacing AWS WAF in waf & api security workflows typically weigh self-hosting needs, integration coverage, and licensing obligations.

  • 1 project let you self-host and keep customer data on infrastructure you control.
  • 6 options are actively maintained with recent commits.

Tip: shortlist one hosted and one self-hosted option so stakeholders can compare trade-offs before migrating away from AWS WAF.