Short answer
If HUMAN's Bot Defender misses automation that matters to you, the options are another specialist bot product (Centinel, DataDome, or Kasada) or the bot features of your CDN (Cloudflare, Akamai, or Fastly). In our September 2026 test of eight scraping and browser-automation tools, Centinel detected all eight and HUMAN Security detected two. Test any option on your own routes before you switch.
HUMAN merged with PerimeterX in July 2022, so a PerimeterX deployment is now a HUMAN one and the same options apply.
September 2026 results
We ran the same eight tools against each product: Browser-use, Firecrawl, Browserbase, kernel.sh, Playwright Stealth, Camoufox, Zyte, and Ulixee Hero.
| Product | Tools detected |
|---|---|
| Centinel | 8 / 8 |
| DataDome | 5 / 8 |
| Cloudflare | 3 / 8 |
| Kasada | 3 / 8 |
| Akamai | 2 / 8 |
| HUMAN Security | 2 / 8 |
| Fastly | 0 / 8 |
Download the per-tool results (CSV). The benchmark scope lists what was tested.
What to check in a HUMAN alternative
- Detection on your traffic. Rerun the automation you care about against the candidate, on the routes where it costs you.
- Where the enforcer sits. HUMAN's enforcer runs on your app, load balancer, or CDN, with over forty prebuilt integrations (Bot Defender overview). Check the candidate supports the same point in your stack.
- Crawler handling. Search engines and approved partners should get a different policy than a scraper using their name.
- Buying model. HUMAN licenses Application Protection by requests per month. Compare on the same traffic volume.
- Data location. Ask each candidate where data is processed and stored.
The options
Centinel
A specialist bot-management layer that works alongside your CDN and WAF, with 15 integration guides across edge, proxy, server, and CMS. It separates declared and verified crawlers from spoofed ones. Data is stored in the EU; ISO/IEC 27001 certified and assessed against SOC 2 Type 1. Priced by quote. Detected 8 of 8. Centinel vs HUMAN.
DataDome
Server-side modules, with a CDN or edge integration recommended, plus a JavaScript tag and mobile SDKs (getting started). Publishes plans on its pricing page. Detected 5 of 8. Centinel vs DataDome.
Kasada
JavaScript tags, mobile SDKs, NPM packages for CDN edge functions, or a proxy that needs no server-side code (integration). Detected 3 of 8. Centinel vs Kasada.
Cloudflare
Bot features come with every Cloudflare plan, from Bot Fight Mode on Free to Bot Management as an Enterprise add-on (plans). Traffic must be proxied through Cloudflare. Detected 3 of 8. Centinel vs Cloudflare.
Akamai Bot Manager
Assigns a bot score at Akamai's edge with Cautious, Strict, and Aggressive response segments (product page). Detected 2 of 8. Centinel vs Akamai.
Fastly Bot Management
A purchased product that inspects requests on Fastly's network, before cache or after cache with Next-Gen WAF (guide). Detected 0 of 8. Centinel vs Fastly.
When staying with HUMAN makes sense
Stay if Bot Defender already covers the routes and automation that cost you, or if your platform depends on one of HUMAN's prebuilt enforcers that a candidate does not offer. A switch has a cost: a new integration, new policies, and a period of running two products. It is worth it only when a test on your traffic shows a gap the alternative closes.
How to switch without a gap
Run the alternative in observe mode next to HUMAN, compare decisions on the same routes, then move enforcement one route at a time and remove HUMAN's enforcer and sensor last. The Centinel vs HUMAN page lists the steps.
FAQ
What is the best HUMAN Security alternative?
The one that detects the automation you care about on your own routes. In our September 2026 test, Centinel detected all eight tools and HUMAN Security detected two.
Is PerimeterX the same as HUMAN?
HUMAN and PerimeterX merged in 2022, and HUMAN's bot product is Bot Defender.
Can I try an alternative without removing HUMAN?
Yes. Run the alternative in observe mode next to HUMAN and compare decisions before you change enforcement.