For enterprise needs, Cloudflare leads with its extensive free tier and powerful paid options, ideal for businesses of all sizes. Akamai excels for high-traffic websites requiring 24/7 managed services, whilst Imperva suits organisations prioritising API security and hybrid cloud deployments.
RANKENTRYSCORETRENDFROM
1CloudflareCloudflare's network spans 275+ cities globally and processes over 45 million HTTP requests per second95.0NEWFree (with premium from $20/month) 2AkamaiAkamai mitigates the world's largest DDoS attacks, including the record-breaking 2.54 Tbps attack in 202192.7NEWCustom 3ImpervaImperva's Distributed Cloud technology allows protection across any infrastructure without forcing platform lock-in90.3NEWCustom 4AWS ShieldAWS Shield Advanced includes protection against 99% of known DDoS attack vectors across all AWS services88.0NEWFree (Shield Standard; Advanced from $3,000/month) 5NetscoutNetscout's Arbor platform processes over 400 Gbps of attack traffic daily across its global sensor network85.7NEWCustom 6F5F5's DDoS module can detect and block attacks at throughput exceeding 1.6 Tbps83.3NEWCustom 7RadwareRadware's platform defends against 50+ DDoS attack vectors, including volumetric, protocol, and application-layer attacks81.0NEWCustom 8FortinetFortiDDoS can detect and mitigate attacks targeting multiple simultaneous vectors in real time78.7NEWCustom 9Neustar UltraDDoSOperates 17 global scrubbing centres with petabit-scale capacity76.3NEWCustom The ranking, in detail
01
Global DDoS protection with free and paid tiers for all business sizes
Cloudflare operates a massive global network that automatically mitigates DDoS attacks whilst accelerating legitimate traffic. It offers both DNS-based and on-premise solutions, with intelligent routing and rate limiting built into every plan.
From Free (with premium from $20/month)Best for Startups, SMEs, and enterprises seeking cost-effective, scalable DDoS defence
95.0
02
Enterprise-grade DDoS mitigation with 24/7 managed services and WAF
Akamai's Prolexic platform delivers carrier-grade DDoS protection backed by always-on monitoring and rapid, guided response protocols. The service integrates DDoS scrubbing, CDN acceleration, and Web Application Firewall capabilities into a unified defence platform.
From CustomBest for Large enterprises, financial institutions, and high-traffic e-commerce platforms
92.7
03
Application and API protection with advanced DDoS mitigation for hybrid environments
Imperva combines DDoS protection with comprehensive Web Application Firewall and API security capabilities, deployed across cloud, on-premise, and hybrid infrastructures. The platform uses machine learning to detect and block anomalous traffic patterns in real time.
From CustomBest for Organisations protecting APIs, microservices, and complex multi-cloud deployments
90.3
04
Native AWS DDoS protection with automatic mitigation and WAF integration
AWS Shield Standard is included automatically for all AWS customers, providing Layer 3 and 4 protection without additional cost. Shield Advanced adds Layer 7 mitigation, DRT support, and DDoS Cost Protection, seamlessly integrated with AWS WAF.
From Free (Shield Standard; Advanced from $3,000/month)Best for AWS-native organisations and enterprises already committed to the AWS ecosystem
88.0
05
Carrier-grade DDoS protection and visibility for ISPs, telcos, and enterprises
Netscout's Arbor platform provides sophisticated DDoS detection and mitigation for service providers and enterprises. It combines hardware appliances with cloud-based scrubbing centres and offers granular attack forensics and reporting.
From CustomBest for Internet service providers, telecommunications companies, and large enterprises with on-premise requirements
85.7
06
Application delivery and DDoS protection combining load balancing with advanced mitigation
F5's DDoS protection integrates with its BIG-IP platform, delivering volumetric attack mitigation alongside application delivery and load balancing. Hybrid cloud deployment options allow protection across data centres and cloud environments.
From CustomBest for Enterprises with existing F5 infrastructure or those requiring integrated load balancing and DDoS defence
83.3
07
Multi-layer DDoS and application security with cloud and on-premise deployment options
Radware's DefensePro and cloud-based DefenseFlow provide integrated DDoS, WAF, and bot management across hybrid environments. The platform uses behavioural analysis and signature-based detection to protect infrastructure from sophisticated, multi-vector attacks.
From CustomBest for Mid-market to enterprise organisations seeking integrated DDoS and application security
81.0
08
Integrated security fabric combining firewall, DDoS protection, and threat prevention
Fortinet's FortiDDoS solution integrates with its comprehensive security fabric, offering volumetric and protocol-layer attack mitigation. It deploys as hardware appliances, cloud services, or hybrid architectures within the broader Fortinet ecosystem.
From CustomBest for Organisations using Fortinet firewalls seeking integrated DDoS protection within existing infrastructure
78.7
09
Enterprise-grade DDoS protection with real-time threat intelligence
Neustar UltraDDoS provides carrier-class DDoS mitigation services backed by global scrubbing centres and managed security expertise. Protects networks, applications and DNS infrastructure from sophisticated attacks.
From CustomBest for Large enterprises requiring carrier-grade protection and 24/7 managed security services
76.3
10
Arbor Edge Defence for service provider DDoS mitigation
Arbor Networks, now part of Netscout, specialises in DDoS solutions for service providers and carriers. Delivers on-premise and cloud-based DDoS detection and mitigation at network edge.
From CustomBest for Internet service providers and telecommunications carriers protecting customer networks
74.0
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Layer 3/4 and Layer 7 DDoS attacks, and why does protection type matter?
Layer 3/4 attacks flood network and transport layers with massive traffic volumes (volumetric attacks), whilst Layer 7 attacks target application logic with seemingly legitimate requests. Volumetric attacks require high-capacity scrubbing, whilst application-layer attacks need intelligent pattern recognition. Most providers offer both protections in premium tiers.
How quickly do DDoS protection services typically detect and mitigate attacks?
Leading providers detect attacks in milliseconds to seconds using automated systems. Mitigation begins instantly for known attack signatures, whilst novel attacks may take seconds to minutes as behavioural analysis identifies anomalies. Managed services like Akamai provide human-led response within minutes for complex scenarios.
Can I deploy DDoS protection across multiple cloud providers and on-premise infrastructure simultaneously?
Yes, hybrid and multi-cloud deployments are supported by Imperva, F5, Radware, and Fortinet through distributed cloud architectures. Cloudflare and AWS Shield work best within their respective ecosystems. Evaluate your infrastructure topology carefully when selecting a provider supporting your deployment model.