NOC and Astra Security both provide website protection but approach the problem from different directions. NOC is a cloud-based CDN and WAF platform that prevents attacks at the network edge. Astra Security offers a WAF, vulnerability scanning, and penetration testing services designed to find and fix security weaknesses. This comparison breaks down how they differ and which use cases each product serves best.
Overview
NOC operates as a reverse proxy that sits between visitors and your web server. All HTTP/HTTPS traffic routes through NOC's Anycast network where it is filtered by the WAF, cached by the CDN, and monitored for uptime. NOC works with any website platform and focuses on prevention and performance.
Astra Security is a security company offering multiple products: a cloud-based WAF, an automated vulnerability scanner, and manual penetration testing (pentesting) conducted by Astra's security team. Astra positions itself as a comprehensive security suite that not only blocks attacks but also identifies vulnerabilities in your application through automated and manual testing. Astra also provides compliance reporting for standards like SOC 2 and ISO 27001.
Key Differences
- CDN performance: NOC includes a global Anycast CDN that accelerates content delivery. Astra does not include any CDN or content caching features.
- Pentesting: Astra offers manual penetration testing by security professionals. NOC does not provide pentesting or vulnerability assessment services.
- Vulnerability scanning: Astra includes automated vulnerability scanning that tests your application for OWASP Top 10 issues, misconfigurations, and known CVEs. NOC blocks attacks at the WAF level but does not scan your application for vulnerabilities.
- Pricing model: NOC charges a flat $5/month per site. Astra's pricing starts at $199/month for scanning and goes up significantly for pentesting packages.
- DNS hosting: NOC includes Anycast DNS hosting. Astra does not provide DNS services.
- Compliance: Astra provides compliance-ready reports for SOC 2, ISO 27001, and GDPR. NOC does not offer compliance reporting.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | NOC | Astra Security |
|---|---|---|
| CDN | Global Anycast CDN included | Not available |
| Web Application Firewall | Edge-level Anycast WAF | Cloud-based WAF |
| DNS Hosting | Anycast DNS included | Not available |
| DDoS Protection | Layer 3/4/7 mitigation | Basic DDoS protection |
| Vulnerability Scanning | Not included | Automated DAST scanning |
| Penetration Testing | Not included | Manual pentesting by security experts |
| Compliance Reporting | Not included | SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR reports |
| Malware Scanning | Not included | Automated malware detection |
| Uptime Monitoring | Integrated monitoring and alerts | Not included |
| SSL Certificates | Free SSL included | Not included |
| API Access | Full REST API | API available on higher plans |
| Platform Support | Any website | Any website |
Pricing Comparison
NOC charges $5/month per site with all features included — CDN, WAF, DNS, and monitoring.
Astra Security pricing:
- Scanner (Starter): Starting at $199/month — automated vulnerability scanning, OWASP Top 10 testing, compliance-ready reports.
- Scanner (Expert): Higher tiers add more scan frequency, API scanning, and deeper analysis.
- Pentest: Starting at $1,999/year — manual penetration testing by Astra security engineers, detailed remediation reports, re-testing after fixes.
- Enterprise: Custom pricing for organizations needing continuous testing, dedicated support, and advanced compliance packages.
The pricing difference is substantial. NOC at $60/year provides edge-level CDN, WAF, DNS, and monitoring. Astra's entry-level scanner at $199/month ($2,388/year) is over 39x the cost of NOC, but it provides vulnerability assessment capabilities that NOC does not offer. These products serve fundamentally different purposes — NOC prevents attacks in real time while Astra identifies vulnerabilities that could be exploited.
Who Should Choose NOC
NOC is the right choice for website owners who want real-time attack prevention, CDN performance, and DNS hosting at an affordable price. If your primary goal is to block malicious traffic before it reaches your server, accelerate content delivery through a global CDN, and monitor uptime — NOC provides all of that for $5/month. It is especially well-suited for agencies and developers managing multiple sites who need a simple, cost-effective security and performance layer.
Who Should Choose Astra Security
Astra Security is a better fit for organizations that need vulnerability assessment and compliance reporting. If you are preparing for a SOC 2 audit, need penetration testing for regulatory requirements, or want to proactively discover security weaknesses in your application code, Astra provides those services. Astra's manual pentesting is valuable for SaaS companies, fintech platforms, and organizations handling sensitive data where compliance and thorough security testing are mandatory.
Final Thoughts
NOC and Astra Security address different layers of the security stack. NOC provides real-time edge protection — blocking attacks, mitigating DDoS, caching content, and routing DNS. Astra identifies vulnerabilities in your application through scanning and manual testing, helping you fix weaknesses before attackers find them. For organizations that need both attack prevention and vulnerability management, using NOC for edge security alongside periodic Astra scanning or pentesting provides comprehensive coverage.
Ready to try NOC? Get started with a free trial and see how integrated CDN, WAF, and DNS can protect and accelerate your website. View pricing and start your free trial.
Get
Started