AWS WAF vs. Google Cloud Armor: A Multicloud Security Showdown
In 2025, multicloud is standard, not a new trend. Teams now run workloads across AWS, Google Cloud Platform (GCP) and Azure. This creates complex challenges in managing unified app security.
Security teams need web application firewalls (WAFs) that work across environments. AWS WAF and Google Cloud Armor are top choices. Both defend against OWASP threats, bots and DDoS attacks.
But real-world use shows that key architectural differences emerge. Integration, rule customization and automation vary significantly between platforms. This guide compares their performance in hybrid cloud environments.
You’ll learn how each tool scales with growing apps. This is your starting point, covering cost control, latency, compliance and policy sync.
Why Web Application Firewalls Matter
- API and app-layer threats surpass infrastructure attacks: Threats now target logic flaws, inputs and session behavior. Attackers increasingly focus on APIs and frontend logic. Traditional firewalls can’t detect these Layer 7 attacks. WAFs are essential to inspect HTTP traffic and prevent injection, cross-site scripting and other OWASP Top 10 risks.
- Generative AI boosts botnet scale and sophistication: Bots today easily bypass CAPTCHA and act like real users. AI-powered bots mimic clicks, delays and browser headers perfectly. They scrape data, overload forms and try credential stuffing. A modern WAF spots these patterns, blocks bad IPs and limits bot traffic effectively.
- Compliance requires logs, rules and response policies: Regulations now mandate visibility into web-layer traffic. Rules like NIS2, PCI DSS 4.0 and HIPAA need strong app security. Logging access and finding problems are important. WAF logs help pass audits easily.
- Multicloud apps demand consistent security policies: Apps now run across AWS, GCP and edge platforms. For example, APIs might live on Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE), web portals on Amazon’s Application Load Balancer (ALB) and background jobs on Lambda. Without a consistent WAF strategy, protection gaps appear. Both AWS WAF and Cloud Armor allow centralized rule management across workloads.
Architecture: Where Do They Sit?
Google Cloud Armor
- Google Cloud Armor works seamlessly with Google Cloud HTTP(S) load balancers.
- It uses a policy-based system where rules are enforced right at the network edge.
- You can also apply edge security policies for external cloud delivery networks (CDNs) like Cloud CDN and CloudFront.
Key Deployment Model:
AWS WAF
- AWS WAF easily connects with CloudFront, API Gateway, ALB and AppSync.
- It supports centralized rule management through AWS Firewall Manager.
- If you’re not using CloudFront, WAF must be deployed regionally.
Key Deployment Model:
Rule Engine and Threat Protection
This table breaks down the key features of Google Cloud Armor and AWS WAF. It shows how each handles things like built-in rules, custom settings, blocking by location, bot protection and DDoS defense. It also compares how quickly they update their threat signatures and manage rate limits. This helps you see the strengths of each service side by side.
| Feature | Google Cloud Armor (GCA) | AWS WAF |
| Predefined OWASP Rules | Yes (Google-managed rulesets) | Yes (AWSManagedRules rule groups) |
| Custom Rules | Common Expression Language (CEL)-based match expressions | JSON logic with multiple conditions |
| Geo-blocking | Built-in country match | Built in, with IP set references |
| Bot Management | Adaptive protection with ML | AWS Bot Control (separate license) |
| DDoS Protection | Built-in via Cloud Armor + Google’s Edge DDoS infrastructure | Via AWS Shield Standard / Advanced |
| Rate Limiting | Yes – per client IP or header | Yes – token-based or rate-based |
| Signature Updates | Near real time | Automatic, but slower refresh rate |
Key Insight: Google Cloud Armor uses CEL for easy, flexible rules. AWS WAF works with nested condition logic instead. GCA’s smart, learning-based protection spots threats automatically. This gives Google an advantage in catching unusual activity fast.
Automation and DevSecOps Integration
Cloud Armor
- Terraform allows you to set Google Cloud Armor policies easily.
- GCP Policy Intelligence helps improve your security rules.
- Cloud logging and pub/sub work together for security information and event management (DIEM) setups.
AWS WAF
- AWS fully supports CloudFormation and Terraform tools.
- Firewall Manager helps manage policies across your organization.
- It also protects API Gateway and AppSync services.
Logging, Observability and Cost
| Category | Google Cloud Armor | AWS WAF |
| Logging Integration | Cloud Logging + BigQuery + Pub/Sub | CloudWatch Logs, Firehose, Kinesis |
| SIEM Support | Easy export to Chronicle, Splunk, ELK | Firehose + OpenSearch, Splunk, Datadog |
| Cost Model | Per rule evaluation + per request pricing | Per rule group + per request pricing |
| Free Tier? | Limited, but Shield/DDoS protection included | A basic free tier with ALB, extra for Shield |
This table shows how Google Cloud Armor and AWS WAF handle logging, monitoring and costs. Both offer strong SIEM support but differ in pricing models and free tier availability.
Real-World Use Case: Multicloud GKE and ALB
Google Cloud Armor for GKE Ingress
- Protects GKE workloads effectively.
- Blocks botnet traffic.
- Applies Geo-IP restrictions.
- Uses machine learning for threat detection.
AWS WAF for ALB and API Gateway
- Secures AWS Application Load Balancer and API Gateway.
- It protects against attacks like SQL injection and cross-site scripting.
- Uses managed rule groups for protection.
Practical Recommendation
- Use shared detection logic across both WAFs.
- Forward logs from both WAFs to a central SIEM.
- Central SIEM options include Splunk or Chronicle.
- Give faster, consistent responses across cloud environments.
WAF Feature Summary Matrix
| Feature | Cloud Armor | AWS WAF |
| OWASP Predefined Rules | Yes | Yes |
| ML-Based Adaptive Protection | Yes (built in) | No |
| Bot Protection | Native | Paid (Bot Control) |
| Logging and SIEM Integration | BigQuery, Splunk, Chronicle | CloudWatch, Kinesis |
| Rate Limiting | Yes | Yes |
| Geo/IP Blocking | Yes | Yes |
| Terraform Support | Yes | Yes |
| Best Fit for | GKE, Cloud Run, App Engine | ALB, API Gateway, CloudFront |
Conclusion
Google Cloud Armor and AWS WAF both provide strong enterprise security. Cloud Armor shines with adaptive protection and great GKE support. AWS WAF excels in multicloud coverage and centralized management with Firewall Manager.
For 2025 multicloud setups, don’t choose just one. Use a combined WAF approach that fits your workloads and compliance needs.
