Cloudflare Reviews

“Useful for threat monitoring

Pros

Their WAF is excellent and much simpler to set up than I expected. One thing I really appreciate is how quickly we can roll out custom rules whenever a new vulnerability appears or when unusual traffic patterns start showing up. The real-time visibility is extremely useful for threat monitoring and forwarding those security events into our SIEM for deeper correlation is a fairly seamless workflow. It also takes care of DDoS mitigation automatically which adds a lot of peace of mind. The biggest problem it solves is stopping huge amounts of bot traffic, basic vulnerability scans and volumetric attacks directly at the edge. From a SOC standpoint, that is a huge win because it cuts down the noise we need to ingest and analyze downstream in the SIEM. By blocking all that junk traffic before it ever reaches our environment, it helps reduce bandwidth costs and keeps us from wasting time chasing thousands of meaningless alerts. It really works as a strong first layer of defense so we can spend more time focusing on legitimate, advanced threats.

Cons

The biggest frustration is log retention and exporting. Getting detailed, real-time logs into a SIEM can feel more limited and more expensive than it should be unless you are paying for the higher enterprise tiers. On top of that, while the managed rulesets are generally reliable, reducing false positives can sometimes mean building fairly complex regex-based exceptions so legitimate API traffic does not get blocked by mistake. Support can also be a bit slow to respond unless you are a very large enterprise customer.

“Lots of customization options

Pros

There are tons of customization options which I really appreciate and I'm able to fine-tune everything through an interface that feels user-friendly. It gives me solid control over who can access my website, what they're allowed to view and even when they can access it, without making the whole process feel overly complicated or hard to manage.

Cons

Certain tasks can feel a little more involved when they're not things I do regularly. For instance, if I need to block an IP and route that visitor to a specific page or a custom 404 page, there's definitely a bit of a learning curve. In those situations, I usually end up watching a tutorial. Aside from that, the platform is pretty user-friendly.

“Great choice for application security and performance

Pros

It has been a solid choice for application security and performance, especially because it includes a lot of free features that other platforms usually put behind a paid plan. Its global edge network makes a noticeable difference, letting my customers reach the website very quickly with almost no delay which is a major advantage. The caching also helps improve site speed for users. Another thing I appreciate is the dashboard which gives me one place to handle security and view insights instead of jumping across multiple tabs. The setup process was simple and simple, with clear guidance that made getting started hassle-free. I use it to protect my website from malicious activity, boost performance and manage security settings and bot access without much effort.

Cons

Customer support is difficult to reach if you are not an enterprise user. The dashboard could also be improved because the platform has grown so much that important features can get buried under service bloat. It would be useful to have an AI bot for basic questions and then route more advanced issues to human support. Personalized dashboards would also make a big difference by helping users highlight the features that matter most to them.

“Lets me handle traffic securely

Pros

Having application security and performance in one platform is the part I value most. It brings together key capabilities like DDoS protection, a Web Application Firewall (WAF) and a global CDN which noticeably improve both the safety and speed of my applications. In my own setup, I place it in front of a VPS on DigitalOcean. I configured the DNS and enabled the proxy via the orange cloud so traffic goes through its network instead of exposing my server directly to the public internet. That setup helps lower direct attack exposure to the origin server. I also tested its WARP connectivity to secure traffic paths and make routing more stable for VPN-like access. Overall, this lets me handle traffic more securely while also taking advantage of its edge network performance gains. It has been especially useful for protecting my DigitalOcean VPS infrastructure by hiding the origin IP and filtering malicious traffic before it ever reaches the server. That has significantly reduced direct exposure to attacks like DDoS attempts and automated bot traffic.

Cons

One thing to keep in mind is that, in my setup, I run it in front of a DigitalOcean VPS with DNS configured and the orange-cloud proxy enabled so traffic is routed through its network rather than exposing the server directly which does help reduce direct attack exposure on the origin. That said some of the more advanced security and performance features are locked behind higher-tier plans which can make it less flexible for smaller projects or personal use.

“Easy to keep spambots away

Pros

Keeping spambots away from a site is much more manageable with this. The filtering works really well and even the free plan does a solid job of protecting against known bots. The interface is quick to navigate and you don't need technical expertise to understand or manage the settings. It also helps that each option comes with clear guidance so figuring things out is pretty simple.

Cons

Adding a site can occasionally take a little longer than expected, though it's not a major problem. A DNS template option would also be a nice addition.

“Fast, secure and user-friendly

Pros

Having application security and performance in one platform is a big plus. The CDN makes a noticeable difference in load times and the built-in protections like DDoS mitigation and the web application firewall offer solid security. The interface is clean and simple to manage and the overall performance has been really strong. The analytics and traffic insights are useful too. Getting started was quite simple, the dashboard feels user-friendly and setting up the main security and performance features doesn't take much technical effort. It's a very user-friendly platform to work with. I use it to speed up websites and protect them from security threats. It cuts down load times with CDN caching, helps defend against DDoS attacks and supports reliable uptime and security. The analytics and traffic reporting continue to be very helpful.

Cons

Some of the more advanced settings can be a little complicated for someone new and a few of the most powerful features are only available on the higher-tier plans. It would be nice to have clearer beginner guidance and more flexible pricing options.

“comprehensive solution

Pros

This platform covers everything like strong DDoS protection, DNS, analytics and performance tools and it has been a huge benefit for me. I rely on it heavily to secure my websites especially when I'm building with full-stack tools and technologies. The combination of application security, web security and DNS integration fits exactly what I need and it also helps improve site speed and overall performance. On top of that, it does a solid job of protecting user data and keeping malware, viruses and hackers away from my sites.

Cons

Service isn't free so I do have to pay for it. The setup was also a little challenging because I needed to switch over the CNAME and adjust other DNS services.

“keeps our apps protected

Pros

Right away, it proved valuable for keeping our web applications protected from DDoS attacks, malicious traffic and common web vulnerabilities without needing extra tools or constant manual work. The powerful security is a big plus and the global CDN and edge network also boost application speed automatically so we get both stronger protection and better performance at the same time. That combination is especially useful because it doesn't require complicated configuration or infrastructure changes on our side. Setup was also fairly quick and simple and overall it has helped improve reliability and availability for users across the globe.

Cons

Getting the WAF rules and bot management settings tuned correctly can take some time especially for complex or highly dynamic applications since you need to be careful about false positives.

“Handles both security and performance!

Pros

Cloudflare has been really useful for handling both website security and performance in one place. The part I appreciate most is how well it combines DDoS protection, firewall coverage and CDN acceleration without needing much hands-on maintenance. The DDoS protection does a solid job stopping sudden fake traffic, the firewall helps filter suspicious requests in the background and the CDN delivers content from nearby servers so pages load faster. It also connects well with other tools already in use, like web hosting platforms, CMS options such as WordPress and GitHub for deployments which adds another layer of protection and speed to the existing setup. Since switching to it, the sites have been more stable, quicker and simpler to manage. The initial setup was fairly simple and still manageable even without deep technical knowledge. I use it to protect websites from DDoS attacks, bots and malicious traffic, while the CDN and caching help fix slow loading times and keep everything running faster and more reliably.

Cons

A few of the settings can be confusing in the beginning, especially the firewall options and security rules. If someone is new to it, figuring out what should be enabled and what should be left alone takes a bit of time. On top of that some of the more advanced features are only available on paid plans which can feel restrictive at times. It could definitely be a little more beginner-friendly.

“Increases application speed

Pros

Built-in application security and performance features make Cloudflare very quick to work with and simple to handle. It boosts security and improves performance without needing much manual effort which helps keep applications protected and responsive with very little maintenance. The way it increases application speed and availability is especially useful. I use Cloudflare to defend applications against cyberattacks while also improving performance through traffic optimization. It handles traffic spikes well, cuts down on downtime and helps deliver secure user experiences without requiring constant hands-on management.

Cons

There can be a bit of a learning curve for new users when getting started with Cloudflare's application security and performance tools but it's nothing major and mostly just takes a little time to get familiar with.

“Improved Security With Cloudflare

Pros

With Cloudflare, we have improve our privacy, added extra security, and improved our connectivity and performance.

Cons

With Cloudflare there have been no flaws. It does exactly what a security solution should.

“Cloudflare: Exceptional Security and Performance with a Worthwhile Learning Curve

Pros

I found it very easy to integrate Cloudflare with our existing infrastructure, and it offers wide range of security features. The platform's scalability and performance improvements for apps and websites have been great

Cons

The initial learning curve could be better as it takes time to get the hang of all of Cloudflares features. But for those willing to put in the effort the platforms depth offers strong capabilities.

“Cloudflare - a must use

Pros

Cloudflare has a great content delivery network and optimization tools that really help speed up your website and save on hosting costs. The firewall is also a key feature that keeps your site secure without breaking the bank.

Cons

The gap between the free and paid plans is pretty big.

“we are figuring it out

Pros

Compared to our old Vpn setup I have had way fewer technical problems and it was super easy to get going.

Cons

There are some tech problems sometimes but that could just be our system getting settled.

“Cloudflare is nice

Pros

Adding my website to Cloudflare was really easy. I just had to change the nameservers. I like that it adds another layer of security to my site. It also comes with a fast content delivery network and from what I have read the fastest DNS out there.

Cons

No real downsides here. From the free plan to Enterprise it gives some good features.

“love Cloudfare

Pros

It is really efficient and definitely one of the best services worldwide.

Cons

It can be hard to set up especially things like cloudflare. You might end up depending on cloudflare pretty fast.

“An honest review by system engineer

Pros

Cloudflare offers solid security features improves website speed with its global CDN gives strong DDoS protection and is easy to manage.

Cons

Some cons of cloudflare include service breaks while setting up issues with caching limited customization for more advanced users and relying too much on their system for security and performance.

“Cloudflare is impressive

Pros

I like how Cloudflare keeps everything secure and helps protect against cyberattacks or hacking.

Cons

The hardest part was getting everything up and running.

“its good once you figure it out

Pros

I used Cloudflare for DNS and analytics. The DNS was super easy to set up and I connected it to Squarespace without any issues thanks to the tutorials on both websites.

Cons

There was a lot on one page. I had to skim through it all and it took me a while to figure it out.

“The Gold Standard of Web Application Firewalls

Pros

Cloudflare is easy to set up and customize and has great user management. It also gives solid insight into what is happening around you in the community.

Cons

You need to know a bit about DNS setup. If you are not familiar with that it might feel a bit overwhelming. Also the enterprise pricing is not really clear.

“superb security for your website!

Pros

Cloudflare is super simple to use. Some features are free so I was glad to come across this software.

Cons

Sometimes their service has errors and the pricing can be a bit unclear.

“A great layer of protection with varying price plans

Pros

I like how Cloudflare offers quick protection with its free nameservers and DNS features. It is a great way to add security and other functions to your website or network just by switching nameservers. You also get free features like SSL a firewall page rules and more. Even the free plan has offered a ton of protection and the features have been useful for over 10 years.

Cons

I do not like the constant changes to old features. While the new ones are okay it can be annoying when trying to do something simple in a new way. Also support can be a bit hit and miss and they seem to push for plan upgrades to get better service.

“Slick and Reliable

Pros

What I liked most about Cloudflare was its strong security features like DDoS protection and SSL/TLS encryption which really boosted my website security. The global CDN sped up load times and the easy to use dashboard with detailed analytics made everything easy.

Cons

What I liked least about cloudflare was how tricky the advanced features were to set up. The basic setup is easy but some advanced settings are confusing and take time to learn. Also support can be slow which is annoying when you need help right away.

“Cloudflare up

Pros

The great thing about Cloudflare is that it acts as a buffer for different data being exchanged on the server.

Cons

Cloudflare can overlap with features your hosting or network provider already gives you.

“Cloudflare is Invaluable!!

Pros

I like that Cloudflare hides the origin IP of websites and lets you control traffic using page rules even on the free plan.

Cons

I have never had any problems with Cloudflare. I always use it for my domains and my customers domains.

“Excellent tool with MANY different functions

Pros

Cloudflare offers a bunch of tools and services that are really easy to set up with detailed documentation. The pricing is awesome for what it does. A lot of the tools are free with generous limits. Once I started using it I could not imagine switching because it does so much and works so well that I do not need alternatives.

Cons

My only small issue is there are so many menus it is easy to get around but I sometimes get lost. They also change or add new services often so it can take a bit to find where an option is.

“Best in class web application firewall, but expensive

Pros

It has all the features you need to easily set up a Web Application Firewall. You can create custom rules to finetune security for your app.

Cons

Cloudflare can be pricey and hard to set up for small businesses.

“Important for websites

Pros

It is a great tool for website security and easy to manage. I use it every day.

Cons

I have not had any bad experiences with this tool.

“Takes your stress away

Pros

I first came across Cloudflare around 10 years ago after our business website got hit by a major DDoS attack. After that our hosting company refused to keep our site so we had to switch providers. Our new host was happy to take us on and recommended Cloudflare as an extra layer of security and I have been using it ever since.

Cons

When using their Wordpress speedup features it is hard to know if they will clash with another speed-up plugin.

“Cloudflare all over the world. Best network utility

Pros

It gives you a safe and secure browsing experience.

Cons

The features cost more but really who would not pay extra for good website security?

“Cloudflare as a front door for all external and internal services

Pros

I really like how simple Cloudflare is. It is cool how all the features work so well together from DNS to zero Trust and Vpn tunnels. Great stuff.

Cons

I cannot say anything bad at the moment since nothing has gone wrong yet.

“This is simply the best!

Pros

I like that it offers pretty good services for free and I can only imagine how much more the premium plans offer. The setup was fast and easy and the onboarding was smooth.

Cons

Their customer support is not very quick at getting back to people but I think they are trying to improve this.

“Modern and useful network content provider

Pros

I use cloudflare mainly for its load-balancing features. It helps deliver your app assets through a CDN and makes it easy to monitor your site with built-in tools in the web interface.

Cons

You need some skills to set up this tool. Sometimes the DDoS protection needs to be changed to avoid problems.

“Amazing for email security

Pros

I have been using Cloudflare for about a year now and it has been the best solution for keeping sensitive information secure while emailing clients. I have never had to worry about data getting into the wrong hands. Definitely planning to keep using it.

Cons

I do not have anything bad to say about cloudflare.

“Only drawback is customer service

Pros

We use cloudflare as a load balancer and CDN provider. The services are stable and secure.

Cons

The live customer support could be better. When the system is down you really need to talk to someone right away.

“Great services for free

Pros

The free services Cloudflare offers are great. Honestly I could not ask for more. It is awesome that they offer such a complete free version.

Cons

It would be nice to have a pay per use plan where we can choose the options and only pay for what we use. I get that this might be hard from a business side but it would let people pay for just what they need.