NOC and Patchstack take different approaches to website security. NOC is a cloud-based CDN and WAF platform that blocks threats at the network edge before they reach your server. Patchstack focuses on WordPress vulnerability management, providing virtual patches that protect sites from known plugin and theme vulnerabilities. Understanding how they differ will help you choose the right solution.
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 — WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, custom applications, and more.
Patchstack is a WordPress security platform built around its vulnerability database — one of the largest collections of WordPress plugin, theme, and core vulnerabilities. Patchstack's main value is virtual patching: when a vulnerability is disclosed in a WordPress plugin, Patchstack deploys a WAF rule (called a vPatch) to block exploitation before the plugin developer releases an official fix. Patchstack also provides security hardening, activity logging, and a managed vulnerability disclosure program used by many WordPress plugin developers.
Key Differences
- Scope of protection: NOC provides broad edge-level protection including CDN, DDoS mitigation, and WAF rules for all attack types. Patchstack focuses specifically on known WordPress plugin and theme vulnerabilities.
- CDN performance: NOC includes a global Anycast CDN that accelerates content delivery. Patchstack does not include any CDN or performance features.
- Platform support: NOC is platform-agnostic and works with any website. Patchstack is WordPress-only.
- Virtual patching approach: Patchstack deploys vPatches at the application level via a WordPress plugin. NOC applies WAF rules at the network edge before requests reach your server.
- Vulnerability intelligence: Patchstack maintains its own vulnerability database with contributions from security researchers worldwide. NOC uses WAF rulesets that cover OWASP Top 10 and common attack patterns but does not maintain a WordPress-specific vulnerability database.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | NOC | Patchstack |
|---|---|---|
| CDN | Global Anycast CDN included | Not available |
| Web Application Firewall | Edge-level Anycast WAF | Application-level WAF (vPatches) |
| DNS Hosting | Anycast DNS included | Not available |
| DDoS Protection | Layer 3/4/7 mitigation | Not available |
| Virtual Patching | General WAF rules | Targeted vPatches for specific CVEs |
| Vulnerability Database | Not included | Extensive WordPress vulnerability database |
| Plugin/Theme Monitoring | Not included | Alerts for vulnerable or outdated plugins |
| Uptime Monitoring | Integrated monitoring and alerts | Not available |
| Security Hardening | WAF rules for common attacks | WordPress-specific hardening options |
| Activity Logging | WAF and access logs | WordPress activity and change logging |
| Platform Support | Any website | WordPress only |
| Server Impact | None (cloud-based) | Minimal (lightweight plugin) |
Pricing Comparison
NOC charges $5/month per site with all features included — CDN, WAF, DNS, and monitoring.
Patchstack pricing:
- Community (Free): Vulnerability alerts and WordPress hardening. No virtual patching.
- Developer: $99/year per site — virtual patching (vPatches), real-time protection against known vulnerabilities, activity logging.
- Business: $499/year per site — everything in Developer plus priority support, advanced reporting, and SLA guarantees.
NOC at $60/year is significantly less than Patchstack Developer at $99/year, and both deliver different kinds of value. NOC provides edge-level CDN and WAF protection for any website. Patchstack provides targeted WordPress vulnerability management. The costs are not directly comparable because the products solve different problems.
Who Should Choose NOC
NOC is ideal for website owners who want comprehensive edge-level protection that works with any platform. If you need CDN acceleration, DDoS mitigation, Anycast DNS, and a WAF that filters traffic before it reaches your server, NOC delivers all of that at $5/month. It is the right choice for non-WordPress sites, for agencies managing multiple platforms, and for anyone who needs performance and security in a single service.
Who Should Choose Patchstack
Patchstack is a strong choice for WordPress site owners who are concerned about plugin and theme vulnerabilities. WordPress powers a large portion of the web, and its plugin ecosystem is a frequent attack vector. Patchstack's virtual patching provides rapid protection when a new vulnerability is disclosed — often before the plugin developer has released a fix. If you manage many WordPress sites and need visibility into which plugins are vulnerable across your portfolio, Patchstack's dashboard and alerting system is purpose-built for that workflow.
Final Thoughts
NOC and Patchstack complement each other well. NOC blocks malicious traffic at the network edge — preventing DDoS attacks, brute force attempts, and common exploits before they reach your server. Patchstack provides targeted protection against specific WordPress plugin and theme vulnerabilities, deploying virtual patches within hours of disclosure. For WordPress sites that want defense in depth, using NOC for edge security alongside Patchstack for application-level virtual patching provides layered protection that covers both broad and targeted threats.
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