NOC and MalCare take different approaches to website security. NOC is a cloud-based CDN and WAF platform that prevents attacks at the network edge. MalCare is a WordPress security plugin focused on malware detection, one-click cleanup, and site hardening. Understanding their different strengths will help you choose the right tool — or decide if you need both.
Overview
NOC operates as a reverse proxy that sits between your visitors and your web server. All HTTP/HTTPS traffic passes 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.
MalCare is a WordPress-specific security plugin built by the team behind BlogVault (a popular WordPress backup service). It syncs your site files to its own servers for deep malware scanning without impacting your server performance. Its standout feature is one-click malware removal that cleans infections without breaking your site. MalCare also includes a basic firewall, login protection, and a staging environment for testing changes.
Key Differences
- Prevention vs detection: NOC prevents malicious traffic from reaching your server. MalCare detects malware that is already on your server and removes it.
- CDN performance: NOC includes a global CDN that accelerates content delivery. MalCare does not include any CDN or performance features.
- Platform support: NOC is platform-agnostic. MalCare is WordPress-only.
- Scanning approach: MalCare copies your site files to its cloud infrastructure for scanning, which avoids server load but requires access to your WordPress file system. NOC does not scan server files at all.
- Cleanup capability: MalCare's one-click cleanup can remove malware from WordPress files and database in minutes. NOC does not offer any cleanup or remediation services.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | NOC | MalCare |
|---|---|---|
| CDN | Global Anycast CDN included | Not available |
| Web Application Firewall | Edge-level Anycast WAF | Basic plugin-level firewall |
| DNS Hosting | Anycast DNS included | Not available |
| DDoS Protection | Layer 3/4/7 mitigation | Not available |
| Malware Scanning | Not included | Cloud-based deep scanning (daily) |
| Malware Cleanup | Not included | One-click automated cleanup |
| Staging Environment | Not available | Built-in staging for testing |
| Uptime Monitoring | Integrated monitoring and alerts | Basic uptime monitoring (Plus plan) |
| Login Protection | Brute force protection at edge | Login page CAPTCHA and limiting |
| WordPress Hardening | WAF rules for WordPress attacks | One-click hardening (disable editor, block PHP) |
| Platform Support | Any website | WordPress only |
| Server Impact | None (cloud-based) | Low (scanning offloaded to MalCare servers) |
Pricing Comparison
NOC charges $5/month per site with all features included — CDN, WAF, DNS, and monitoring.
MalCare pricing:
- Free: Basic scanning (no cleanup), firewall, login protection.
- Basic: $99/year per site — daily scanning, one-click cleanup, firewall.
- Plus: $149/year per site — adds uptime monitoring, staging, and personalized support.
- Pro: $299/year per site — adds priority support, white-label reports, and more frequent scanning.
NOC at $60/year is less than MalCare's Basic plan at $99/year, but they deliver different value. NOC provides CDN performance and edge WAF protection. MalCare provides malware detection and cleanup. The comparison is not apples-to-apples since they solve different problems.
Who Should Choose NOC
NOC is ideal for website owners who want to prevent attacks from reaching their server in the first place. If you need CDN performance, Anycast DNS, and edge-level WAF protection, NOC delivers all of that at $5/month. It is the right choice for non-WordPress sites, for agencies managing diverse platforms, and for anyone who prioritizes prevention over post-infection cleanup.
Who Should Choose MalCare
MalCare is the right choice for WordPress site owners who want malware detection and easy cleanup. If your WordPress site has been hacked before or you want peace of mind that infections will be caught and removed quickly, MalCare's one-click cleanup is a standout feature. Its offloaded scanning approach means minimal impact on your server, and the built-in staging environment is a bonus for testing changes before deploying to production.
Final Thoughts
NOC and MalCare complement each other well. NOC stops attacks at the edge — blocking malicious requests, mitigating DDoS, and caching content globally. MalCare catches malware that may enter through other vectors (compromised credentials, vulnerable plugins, supply chain attacks). For WordPress sites that want maximum protection, using NOC for edge security alongside MalCare for server-level scanning 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.
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