Brandwave

AWS WAF vs MalCare:Which is more popular?

In September 2026, AWS WAF had more branded searches than MalCare among firewall brands in New Zealand. AWS WAF had about 110 branded searches, while MalCare had 40. AWS WAF made up 25% of all firewall brand searches we track, and MalCare accounted for 9.1%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about firewall brands, AWS WAF appeared in four of the five answers and MalCare in none.

Among firewall brands in New Zealand in September 2026

Who do people search for more?

AWS WAF, about 3 searches for every 1 for MalCare

AWS WAF 110 searchesMalCare 40 searches

Who does AI mention more?

AWS WAF, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, MalCare in 0

AWS WAF in 4 of 5MalCare in 0 of 5

Who does AI recommend more?

AWS WAF, the only one of the two named

AWS WAF first in 3MalCare never named

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Top firewall brands in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews

In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, AWS WAF was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. MalCare did not appear in any of the five answers.

Most recommended by AI

Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.

  1. Wordfence1st
  2. Sucuri2nd
  3. AWS WAF2nd
  4. MalCare–

Mentioned by AI

Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.

  • AWS WAF4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • Wordfence3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
  • Sucuri3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
  • MalCare0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers

See every answer about firewall brands

5 answers
  • Asked ChatGPT

    “Which website firewall should I use in New Zealand?”

    1. 1Wordfence
    2. 2Sucuri
    3. 3AWS WAF
  • Asked ChatGPT

    “What are the best website firewall tools in New Zealand?”

    1. 1AWS WAF
    2. 2Wordfence
  • Asked ChatGPT

    “What's the best website firewall in New Zealand for website security?”

    1. 1Sucuri
    2. 2Wordfence
    3. 3AWS WAF
  • Searched Google, AI Overview

    “web application firewall”

    1. 1AWS WAF
  • Searched Google, AI Overview

    “website security tools”

    1. 1Sucuri

Not named in any answer:

Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.

Is AWS WAF or MalCare more popular in search?

This chart shows how often people search Google for AWS WAF and MalCare by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all four firewall brands we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.

AWS WAF and MalCare among firewall brands in New Zealand, by month

Share of searches by month for AWS WAF, MalCare. The figures are in the table below the chart.

View monthly share of searches table
MonthWordfenceSucuriAWS WAFMalCare
Oct 202532.6%32.6%25.6%9.3%
Nov 202533.3%33.3%24.4%8.9%
Dec 202529.7%48.6%18.9%2.7%
Jan 202638.9%38.9%19.4%2.8%
Feb 202637.8%35.1%24.3%2.7%
Mar 202639.5%34.9%20.9%4.7%
Apr 202635.9%35.9%23.1%5.1%
May 202627.5%51%17.6%3.9%
Jun 202622.8%52.6%19.3%5.3%
Jul 202629.5%43.2%20.5%6.8%
Aug 202635.4%41.7%18.8%4.2%
Sep 202634.1%31.8%25%9.1%

How has the AWS WAF and MalCare comparison changed over the last 12 months?

3 findings
  • AWS WAF was ahead of MalCare in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, AWS WAF’s share of searches among firewall brands in New Zealand moved from 25.6% to 25%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 110.
  • Across the 12 months ending September 2026, MalCare’s share of searches among firewall brands in New Zealand moved from 9.3% to 9.1%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 40.

How did search popularity change for New Zealand firewall brands in September 2026?

2 changes
  1. In September 2026, AWS WAF gained share of searches among firewall brands in New Zealand, from 18.8% to 25%.

  2. In September 2026, MalCare gained share of searches among firewall brands in New Zealand, from 4.2% to 9.1%.

How are branded searches counted?

5 search terms

Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using AWS WAF’s and MalCare’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.

AWS WAF

1 branded search term

  • aws waf

MalCare

4 branded search terms

  • malcare
  • malcare plugin
  • malcare scan
  • malcare security

How the Brand Demand Index is measured

Other head-to-heads among firewall brands

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