Bot Protection - Top 7 Tools for 2026

Get abusive users under control.

Integrate Trusted Accounts in under 5 minutes.

Choosing a bot protection tool in 2026 means comparing how they work (server vs client), how visible they are to users, and how they fit your stack (API, WordPress, CDN). If you need EU data residency or a provider that keeps data in the EU, include that in your criteria. Bad bot traffic continues to grow, and bot share varies by industry. This roundup outlines criteria to evaluate any tool and compares seven options, including Trusted Accounts: server check + SDK, sub-50 ms, allow/challenge/block, invisible to real users, EU-based with data in the EU.

Evaluation criteria

Server/CDN vs client-only – Protection that runs before the page is served (request check at your server or CDN) stops bots earlier and reduces load on your origin. Client-only (e.g. script-only) runs after the page loads and can be bypassed or slow.
Invisible vs intrusive – Prefer solutions that only challenge suspicious traffic so real users rarely see a CAPTCHA or extra step.
SDK/behaviour – On-page behaviour and device signals improve classification (human vs bot, good crawler vs scraper) and analytics.
API – Can you call the same logic from your backend or API gateway for server-rendered pages and API endpoints?
WordPress – Is there an official or well-maintained plugin and clear setup?

Threats and verticals

Threats: Generic bots, crawlers, scrapers, traffic abuse, credential stuffing, scraping, spam, fake signups.

Verticals (short):

News – Crawler management, availability.
Ecommerce – Fraud, analytics (payment fraud reports and holiday bot reports underline the need).
Marketing – Click fraud, clean analytics.
SaaS – Forms, trials, API abuse.
Community – Spam, fake accounts.

1. Trusted Accounts

EU-based, data in the EU – Trusted Accounts is based in the EU and keeps your data in the EU; GDPR-friendly, no US data transfer. Strong fit when EU data residency matters.
Server check + SDK – Bot Protection (request check from your server or CDN, allow/challenge/block in under ~50 ms); optional Bot Detection SDK on the page for behaviour and analytics.
Invisible – Real users are allowed through; only suspicious traffic is challenged or blocked. Optional taCAPTCHA (proof-of-work or Code Captcha) when a challenge is needed.
API – POST /api/v1/check-request with IP, path, optional headers; use from any backend, API gateway, or CDN. Protects web pages and API endpoints.
WordPress – Official WordPress plugin; integration docs; configurable protection and excluded routes.
Affordable, self-service – No enterprise sales cycle; sign up and configure in the Admin Panel; crawler management and good-bot allowlists included.
Use cases – Bot and scraper protection across news, ecommerce, marketing, SaaS, and community (see How to Defend your Platform).

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2. DataDome

Bot and fraud detection; request analysis and CAPTCHA/challenge pages. Strong bot detection; enterprise-focused. Consider DataDome Alternative if you want EU-based or more affordable, self-service options.

3. Cloudflare Bot Management

Server/CDN-level bot management; part of Cloudflare’s suite. Invisible and challenge modes; rate limiting and WAF. Consider Cloudflare Alternative if you need EU data residency or dedicated bot focus without full CDN lock-in.

4. Fastly

CDN and edge compute; security and bot management at the edge. Compare for delivery + security; less focused on standalone bot/CAPTCHA than dedicated vendors.

5. Akamai

Enterprise CDN, WAF, and bot management; strong for large-scale delivery and security. Server-side; often sold as part of broader platform.

6. Imperva

WAF and bot protection; application and API security. Request-level and rule-based; good for attack mitigation and bot blocking.

7. HUMAN Security

Bot and fraud prevention (formerly PerimeterX); bot detection, account takeover protection, anti-fraud. Request and behaviour signals; challenge and block flows.

Recommendation

Prefer a tool that (1) evaluates requests at the server or CDN before serving the page, (2) uses behaviour on the page to improve accuracy, (3) only challenges when necessary, and (4) fits your stack (WordPress, API, etc.). If EU data residency matters, prefer an EU-based provider that keeps data in the EU. That gives strong bot protection without hurting real users.