Gcore WAAP

Gcore WAAP is an edge-based SaaS reverse proxy that protects websites, applications and APIs from malicious requests and application-layer attacks. It suits teams managing multiple domains or cloud environments that want WAF, bot, API and DDoS controls in one service. Its tiered quotas make the entry plans accessible, but request overages and add-on costs deserve close attention.

Overview

WAAP sits in front of a CDN or origin and forwards clean traffic to the origin. Gcore says it works with any CDN, including multi-CDN setups, while native Gcore CDN integration provides shared management and analytics. That flexibility is useful for organizations with existing delivery infrastructure; it does not require replacing a CDN.

Protection runs at the edge across 210+ PoPs, with 200 Tbps of DDoS filtering capacity and a 99% platform uptime SLA. Gcore says application-layer attacks are detected in under a second. Deployment takes one to several hours depending on site complexity, though protection can be activated within minutes once a domain is connected.

Key features

The WAF blocks OWASP Top 10 risks, zero-day patterns and suspicious behavior. Bot Management can allow trusted bots and AI agents, challenge suspicious traffic or stop abusive automation. These controls address common web threats without requiring separate products for each category.

API security combines discovery, schema validation, anomaly detection and sensitive-data detection. This is a stronger fit for teams that need visibility into API behavior, though API Security is an Enterprise add-on rather than a stated inclusion in the lower plans. Application-layer DDoS mitigation is automatic, and the product also supports managed rule sets and rate limiting.

Gcore says WAAP supports AWS, Azure, Google Cloud and customer data centers in multi-cloud and hybrid environments. Enterprise add-ons include SIEM integration, role-based access control, audit logs, multi-tenancy, API Security and Threat Intelligence. Its infrastructure is ISO/IEC 27001:2013 certified and compliant with PCI DSS and GDPR.

Pricing

Plans are freemium, prices exclude VAT, and paid plans start at €25/mo. Quotas are monthly, and each plan has a per-million-request overage charge; Pro also has a per-domain overage charge. Heavy or unpredictable traffic can therefore cost more than the base subscription suggests.

Free is a practical way to cover one low-volume domain, but its half-million-request cap, default rules and lack of IP Firewall rules leave little room for customization. Start raises the domain and request limits and adds five custom and IP Firewall rules, making it the more useful choice for a small site portfolio. Pro suits larger portfolios with higher traffic and more rule needs; Bot Management and Advanced Rules are add-ons, so the base tier alone does not include them. Enterprise is for organizations needing tailored quotas or enterprise controls, with custom pricing and add-on costs to weigh.

A free trial is offered. No trial length or renewal terms are stated here.

Platforms

WAAP is available for web and API use, with edge deployment as a SaaS reverse proxy. Its multi-cloud and hybrid support makes it relevant where origins span public cloud and customer data centers.

Who it's for

Gcore identifies technology and SaaS, e-commerce, fintech, media and streaming, gaming, telecom and MSSP organizations as target users. The breadth of controls is most compelling for teams protecting several domains, API traffic or services across different infrastructure. A single low-traffic site with basic needs may not benefit enough to justify paid quotas and possible add-ons.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Combines WAF, bot controls, API security and application-layer DDoS mitigation at the edge, reducing the need to assemble separate protections.
• Pros: Works with any CDN and supports multi-cloud and hybrid deployments, so teams can keep existing delivery and hosting arrangements.
• Pros: The free tier covers one domain, while Start and Pro scale domain, request and rule allowances.
• Cons: Free is limited to 0.5M requests and has no IP Firewall rules, making it restrictive for higher traffic or customized policies.
• Cons: Request overages are charged by plan, and Pro adds a per-domain overage; traffic growth can raise the bill.
• Cons: Bot Management and Advanced Rules are Pro add-ons, while several enterprise controls are also add-ons rather than stated base-plan inclusions.

Alternatives

For a broader comparison, see Web Application Firewall Software.

• Cloudflare WAF is worth considering for a web-focused free option: its free plan includes one rate-limiting rule and up to 24 hours of standard log retention; Pro is $20 a month, billed annually.
• BunkerWeb is a better fit for teams seeking an open-source option with API, Linux, self-hosted and web platforms; its open-source plan is free under AGPLv3.
• OWASP Coraza WAF suits readers seeking a free, self-hosted WAF for API use on Linux or macOS, with Apache-2.0 connectors.
• AWS WAF is an option for teams preferring usage-based billing tied to web ACLs, rules and requests, with monthly fees prorated hourly and no upfront commitments.
• open-appsec is another free option for web protection on Linux.
• FortiWeb is a paid web protection alternative.
• ModSecurity is a free open-source WAF engine that runs as a module inside a web server, for teams seeking self-hosted control.
• Tencent Cloud WAF is a paid web alternative with Premium and Enterprise tiers.

Verdict

Choose Gcore WAAP if you need edge protection across websites and APIs, especially across multiple domains, CDNs or cloud environments. Its broad security coverage and scalable quotas are the main draw; request and domain overages, plus paid add-ons, are the main reasons to compare alternatives before committing.