Wardstone vs NeMo Guardrails
Open-source guardrails framework from NVIDIA
About NeMo Guardrails
NeMo Guardrails is an open-source framework from NVIDIA for adding programmable guardrails to LLM applications. It uses a domain-specific language (Colang) to define conversation flows and safety rules.
Feature Comparison
Key Differences
Why Choose Wardstone
- Zero coding required
- Much lower latency: sub-30ms vs 200-1000ms
- No additional LLM calls needed
- Pre-trained on millions of attack patterns
- Simpler integration (just API calls)
NeMo Guardrails Pros
- Highly customizable with Colang DSL
- Open-source with active development
- Can implement complex conversation flows
- Integrates with various LLM providers
- NVIDIA backing and support
- Built-in PII detection via Presidio and GLiNER
NeMo Guardrails Cons
- Requires significant development effort
- Self-check guardrails require LLM calls
- High latency with full guardrail stack
- Learning curve for Colang DSL
Migration Guide
Switching from NeMo Guardrails to Wardstone? Follow these steps for a smooth transition.
Evaluate build vs buy
Compare development time for NeMo guardrails vs Wardstone API integration.
Add Wardstone for threat detection
Use Wardstone API for prompt attack and content detection.
Keep NeMo for conversation flows (optional)
NeMo can still manage conversation flows while Wardstone handles security.
Simplify with Wardstone-only (optional)
For most use cases, Wardstone provides sufficient protection without custom guardrails.
The Verdict
NeMo Guardrails is a powerful framework for building custom guardrails but requires significant development effort. Wardstone provides out-of-the-box protection with no coding required.
NeMo Guardrails is best for:
Teams with development resources who need highly customized conversation flows and guardrails
Related Comparisons
Ready to try Wardstone?
See how Wardstone compares in your environment. Test with your own prompts in the playground.