A firewall acts as a barrier between your internal network and the internet. It examines and controls incoming and outgoing traffic based on predetermined security rules.
A WAF specifically targets web applications. It filters, monitors, and blocks HTTP traffic between a web application and the internet.
Firewalls are typically deployed at network perimeters, whereas WAFs are often placed closer to web servers, scrutinizing incoming traffic before reaching applications.
Firewalls primarily inspect packet headers and network protocols, whereas WAFs analyze HTTP request and response contents, targeting web-specific threats.
Firewalls require general security policies, while WAFs demand application-specific rules tailored to web application functionalities and potential threats.