Arcjet vs WebDecoy: Security Comparison

Compare Arcjet vs WebDecoy for bot detection and rate limiting. See pricing, detection methods, and which application security solution fits your needs.

Arcjet vs WebDecoy: Application Security Comparison

Arcjet and WebDecoy both protect applications from automated threats, but they take fundamentally different approaches. Arcjet focuses on rate limiting and application-layer rules, while WebDecoy uses honeypot-first detection that catches bots before they interact with your real application.

This comparison helps you understand which solution—or combination—best fits your security needs.

Quick Comparison Overview

Architecture Comparison

Arcjet: Rate Limiting + Application Rules

Arcjet protects applications through SDK-based rules that execute at the application layer:

Request arrives at your application
  ↓
Arcjet SDK intercepts
  ↓
Rule evaluation:
├─ Rate limit check (requests per IP/user)
├─ Bot detection rules (basic patterns)
├─ Shield rules (attack patterns)
└─ Custom rules
  ↓
Decision: Allow, Block, or Challenge

Strengths:

• Easy SDK integration
• Free tier available
• Good for rate limiting abuse
• Framework-specific support (Next.js, Node.js)
• Configurable rules per route

Weaknesses:

• Rate limiting catches volume, not sophistication
• Sophisticated bots can throttle to avoid detection
• False positives from legitimate high-volume users
• No honeypot-based detection
• Limited AI scraper detection

WebDecoy: Honeypot-First Detection

WebDecoy uses honeypots as the primary detection method, supplemented by ML:

Request arrives
  ↓
Layer 1: Honeypot Detection (Instant)
├─ Invisible form fields
├─ Hidden links (spider traps)
├─ Decoy API endpoints
└─ 99% confidence = Immediate block
  ↓
Layer 2: Behavioral ML (10ms)
├─ Request patterns
├─ TLS fingerprinting
├─ Session analysis
└─ Returns anomaly score
  ↓
Layer 3: Contextual Analysis
├─ Score decay over time
├─ Multi-vector correlation
└─ SIEM integration
  ↓
Decision: Block or Allow

Strengths:

• 99%+ detection accuracy
• Zero false positives on honeypot interactions
• Catches sophisticated bots that rate limiting misses
• No impact on legitimate user experience
• Comprehensive AI scraper detection
• Full SIEM integration

Weaknesses:

• No free tier
• Requires honeypot configuration
• Slightly more setup time

Detection Method Deep Dive

Arcjet: Rate Limiting Approach

Arcjet’s primary protection mechanism is rate limiting:

// Arcjet rate limit example
import arcjet, { rateLimit } from "@arcjet/next";

const aj = arcjet({
  key: process.env.ARCJET_KEY,
  rules: [
    rateLimit({
      mode: "LIVE",
      window: "1m",
      max: 100, // 100 requests per minute
    }),
  ],
});

How it works:

1. Track requests per IP or user
2. Block when threshold exceeded
3. Reset after time window

Problem: Sophisticated bots adapt. They:

• Rotate IP addresses
• Throttle requests below limits
• Use residential proxies
• Spread attacks across time

A bot making 50 requests per minute with rotating IPs passes rate limits but still scrapes your entire site.

WebDecoy: Honeypot Approach

WebDecoy catches bots through invisible interactions:

<!-- WebDecoy honeypot example -->
<form action="/submit">
  <input type="email" name="email" />

  <!-- Invisible honeypot - only bots fill this -->
  <div style="position:absolute;left:-9999px;">
    <input type="text" name="website" tabindex="-1" />
  </div>

  <button type="submit">Submit</button>
</form>

How it works:

1. Add invisible elements to pages
2. Humans never see or interact with them
3. Bots parsing HTML find and interact with them
4. Any interaction = definitive bot

Result: 99%+ accuracy with zero false positives. If the honeypot is triggered, it’s mathematically certain the request came from a bot.

Real-World Detection Scenarios

Scenario 1: Web Scraper (50 req/min)

Arcjet:

Scraper behavior:
├─ IP: 192.168.1.100
├─ Rate: 50 requests/minute
├─ Rate limit: 100/minute
├─ Pattern: Sequential page access
│
Result: ALLOWED (under rate limit)
Status: Bot scrapes content successfully

WebDecoy:

Scraper behavior:
├─ IP: 192.168.1.100
├─ Honeypot interaction: Spider trap triggered
├─ Detection: Immediate (0ms)
│
Result: BLOCKED (99% confidence)
Status: Bot detected on first hidden link

Winner: WebDecoy - Catches scraper regardless of request rate

Scenario 2: Credential Stuffing (Distributed)

Arcjet:

Attack characteristics:
├─ 10,000 login attempts
├─ 1,000 different IPs (10 req/IP)
├─ Rate limit per IP: 100/minute
│
Result: ALLOWED (each IP under limit)
Status: Attack succeeds across distributed IPs

WebDecoy:

Attack characteristics:
├─ 10,000 login attempts
├─ Honeypot form field filled: YES
├─ Detection: Immediate
│
Result: BLOCKED (all attempts)
Status: Bots fill hidden field, caught instantly

Winner: WebDecoy - Honeypots catch distributed attacks

Scenario 3: AI Scraper (GPTBot-like)

Arcjet:

AI scraper behavior:
├─ Low request rate (1/second)
├─ Legitimate user agent
├─ No rate limit violation
├─ No pattern match
│
Result: ALLOWED
Status: Content scraped for AI training

WebDecoy:

AI scraper behavior:
├─ Parses all page content including hidden links
├─ Follows spider trap URL
├─ Detection: Immediate
│
Result: BLOCKED
Status: AI scraper caught by honeypot

Winner: WebDecoy - Catches AI scrapers that respect rate limits

Pricing Comparison

Arcjet Pricing

Arcjet Pricing Tiers:

Free Tier:
├─ 10,000 requests/month
├─ Basic rate limiting
├─ Community support
└─ Limited features

Pro (~$25-50/month):
├─ 100,000+ requests/month
├─ Advanced rules
├─ Bot detection basics
└─ Email support

Enterprise (Custom):
├─ Unlimited requests
├─ Custom integrations
├─ Dedicated support
└─ SLA guarantees

WebDecoy Pricing

WebDecoy Pricing Tiers:

Starter ($59/month):
├─ 1 domain
├─ 5,000 detections/month
├─ Honeypot detection
├─ Email support
└─ Dashboard access

Pro ($149/month):
├─ 5 domains
├─ 100,000 detections/month
├─ API endpoints
├─ TLS fingerprinting
└─ Priority support

Agency ($449/month):
├─ 50 domains
├─ 500,000 detections/month
├─ Full SIEM integration
├─ Endpoint Decoys
├─ Dedicated support
└─ Custom rules

Cost Analysis

For a site with 50,000 monthly visitors and bot attacks:

True cost consideration: The bots Arcjet misses can cause:

• Content theft (competitive damage)
• API abuse (infrastructure costs)
• Credential stuffing (security incidents)

WebDecoy’s higher detection rate often provides better ROI despite higher nominal cost.

Implementation Comparison

Arcjet Setup

// Next.js example
import arcjet, { shield, rateLimit, detectBot } from "@arcjet/next";

const aj = arcjet({
  key: process.env.ARCJET_KEY,
  characteristics: ["ip.src"],
  rules: [
    shield({ mode: "LIVE" }),
    rateLimit({
      mode: "LIVE",
      window: "1m",
      max: 100,
    }),
    detectBot({
      mode: "LIVE",
      allow: ["SEARCH_ENGINE"],
    }),
  ],
});

export default async function handler(req, res) {
  const decision = await aj.protect(req);

  if (decision.isDenied()) {
    return res.status(403).json({ error: "Blocked" });
  }

  // Handle request
}

Setup time: 15-30 minutes Complexity: Low (SDK handles most logic)

WebDecoy Setup

// WebDecoy SDK example
import { WebDecoy } from '@webdecoy/sdk';

const decoy = new WebDecoy({
  apiKey: process.env.WEBDECOY_KEY,
  propertyId: 'your-property-id',
});

// Configure honeypots
decoy.configureHoneypots({
  forms: true,        // Add hidden form fields
  spiderTraps: true,  // Add invisible links
  endpoints: [        // API honeypots
    '/api/admin/login',
    '/api/v1/users/export'
  ]
});

// Check request
export default async function handler(req, res) {
  const result = await decoy.check(req);

  if (result.isBot) {
    return res.status(403).json({ error: 'Bot detected' });
  }

  // Handle request
}

Setup time: 30-60 minutes Complexity: Moderate (requires honeypot configuration)

Use Case Recommendations

Choose Arcjet If:

Choose WebDecoy If:

Use Both Together:

Many organizations benefit from layered protection:

1. Arcjet: Rate limiting and basic shield
2. WebDecoy: Advanced bot detection with honeypots

This combination provides:

• DDoS/abuse protection (Arcjet rate limits)
• Sophisticated bot detection (WebDecoy honeypots)
• Defense in depth
• Maximum coverage

Migration Guide: Arcjet to WebDecoy

If you’re currently using Arcjet and want to add or switch to WebDecoy:

Step 1: Install WebDecoy SDK

npm install @webdecoy/sdk

Step 2: Add WebDecoy Alongside Arcjet

import arcjet, { rateLimit } from "@arcjet/next";
import { WebDecoy } from '@webdecoy/sdk';

const aj = arcjet({ /* existing config */ });
const decoy = new WebDecoy({ apiKey: process.env.WEBDECOY_KEY });

export default async function handler(req, res) {
  // Rate limiting (Arcjet)
  const arcjetDecision = await aj.protect(req);
  if (arcjetDecision.isDenied()) {
    return res.status(429).json({ error: "Rate limited" });
  }

  // Bot detection (WebDecoy)
  const webdecoyResult = await decoy.check(req);
  if (webdecoyResult.isBot) {
    return res.status(403).json({ error: "Bot detected" });
  }

  // Handle legitimate request
}

Step 3: Configure Honeypots

Add honeypots to forms and create spider traps for comprehensive protection.

Step 4: Monitor and Optimize

Use WebDecoy dashboard to analyze detections and tune sensitivity.

Conclusion

Arcjet and WebDecoy serve different primary purposes:

Bottom Line:

• Arcjet is excellent for rate limiting and basic protection, especially with its free tier
• WebDecoy is superior for bot detection with honeypot-based 99%+ accuracy

For comprehensive protection, consider using both: Arcjet for rate limiting and abuse prevention, WebDecoy for sophisticated bot detection.

If you must choose one:

• Budget-constrained + basic needs: Arcjet
• Bot detection priority + accuracy needs: WebDecoy

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