Azure Application Gateway vs. Azure Web Application Firewall: A Comparison

Azure Application Gateway and Azure Web Application Firewall (WAF) are two popular services that can be used to protect and manage web traffic. However, there are some key differences between the two services.

Azure Application Gateway is a web traffic load balancer that can be used to distribute traffic across multiple web servers. It can also be used to route traffic based on the URL path, host header, or other criteria. Application Gateway also includes a web application firewall that can be used to protect your applications from common web attacks.

Azure Web Application Firewall is a dedicated web application firewall that can be used to protect your applications from a wide range of web attacks, including SQL injection, cross-site scripting, and denial-of-service attacks. WAF can be used to protect applications that are hosted on Azure, as well as applications that are hosted on other platforms.

Comparison table

FeatureAzure Application GatewayAzure Web Application Firewall
Load balancingYesNo
RoutingYesNo
Web application firewallYesYes
Dedicated WAFNoYes
Support for non-Azure applicationsNoYes

Which service is right for you?

If you need a load balancer and a web application firewall, then Azure Application Gateway is a good option. However, if you need a dedicated web application firewall that can protect applications that are hosted on Azure or other platforms, then Azure Web Application Firewall is a better option.

Example scenarios

Here are some example scenarios where you might use Azure Application Gateway or Azure Web Application Firewall:

  • Azure Application Gateway:
    • You have a web application that is hosted on multiple web servers. You need to use a load balancer to distribute traffic across the servers and improve performance.
    • You have a web application that needs to be routed to different servers based on the URL path or host header.
    • You need to use a web application firewall to protect your web application from common web attacks.
  • Azure Web Application Firewall:
    • You have a web application that is hosted on Azure or another platform. You need to protect your web application from a wide range of web attacks, including SQL injection, cross-site scripting, and denial-of-service attacks.
    • You need to comply with industry regulations that require you to implement a web application firewall.

Conclusion

Azure Application Gateway and Azure Web Application Firewall are both powerful services that can be used to protect and manage web traffic. The best service for you will depend on your specific needs.

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