Fastly CDN vs Akamai

Fastly CDN Fastly CDN
VS
Akamai Akamai
WINNER Akamai

Fastly CDN excels in advanced caching and optimization, making it an ideal choice for businesses requiring highly optimi...

VS
emoji_events WINNER
Akamai

Akamai

9.1 Excellent
CDN Provider

psychology AI Verdict

Fastly CDN excels in advanced caching and optimization, making it an ideal choice for businesses requiring highly optimized content delivery. It offers a robust security suite with features like DDoS protection and web application firewall (WAF), which are crucial for maintaining website integrity. However, its high cost might make it less suitable for smaller organizations.

Akamai, on the other hand, is renowned for its extensive network capacity and Origin Shield technology, ensuring reliable performance even during peak traffic events. Its comprehensive suite of services, including media delivery and application security, makes it a top choice for large enterprises and financial institutions. While both providers offer strong security features, Fastly's focus on optimization might give it an edge in certain scenarios, whereas Akamais extensive network and service offerings could be more beneficial for broader enterprise needs.

emoji_events Winner: Akamai
verified Confidence: High

thumbs_up_down Pros & Cons

Fastly CDN Fastly CDN

check_circle Pros

  • Advanced caching and optimization
  • Strong security features (DDoS protection, WAF)
  • Flexible API integrations

cancel Cons

  • High cost for smaller organizations
  • Steep learning curve for advanced features
Akamai Akamai

check_circle Pros

  • Extensive network capacity and Origin Shield technology
  • Comprehensive suite of services (media delivery, application security)
  • Robust support resources

cancel Cons

  • More complex platform due to extensive feature set
  • Higher cost compared to Fastly CDN

compare Feature Comparison

Feature Fastly CDN Akamai
Caching Advanced caching algorithms for optimized content delivery Global network with intelligent caching nodes
Security Features DDoS protection and web application firewall (WAF) Origin Shield technology for DDoS mitigation
API Integrations Flexible API integrations for easy setup and management Detailed documentation and support resources
Network Capacity Up to 300 Gbps of DDoS traffic handling capability Over 185,000 servers worldwide with up to 4 Tbps of DDoS protection
User Interface User-friendly interface for easy setup and management Intuitive dashboard but more complex due to extensive features
Comprehensive Services Focus on content delivery and optimization Offers media delivery, application security, and other comprehensive services

payments Pricing

Fastly CDN

$50 per month for 10 GB of data transfer
Good Value

Akamai

$200 per month for 10 GB of data transfer
Excellent Value

difference Key Differences

Fastly CDN Akamai
Fastly CDN is renowned for its advanced caching and optimization, which significantly enhances content delivery performance. It has a proven track record of optimizing websites to reduce load times and improve user experience.
Core Strength
Akamai boasts an extensive network capacity and Origin Shield technology, ensuring robust protection against DDoS attacks and other security threats. Its comprehensive suite of services, including media delivery and application security, makes it a versatile choice for large enterprises.
Fastly CDN delivers high performance through its intelligent edge network and real-time optimization capabilities. It can handle up to 300 Gbps of DDoS traffic, ensuring minimal downtime during peak usage.
Performance
Akamais global network capacity is unmatched, with over 185,000 servers worldwide. Its Origin Shield technology can handle up to 4 Tbps of DDoS attacks, providing unparalleled protection and reliability.
Fastly CDNs high cost might make it less suitable for smaller organizations. Its advanced features come at a premium price, which could be a barrier to entry for some businesses.
Value for Money
Akamai offers competitive pricing and value for money, especially considering its extensive suite of services. While still relatively expensive, its comprehensive offerings provide better overall value compared to Fastly CDN.
Fastly CDN has a user-friendly interface and API integrations that are easy to set up and manage. However, the learning curve for its advanced features can be steep for beginners.
Ease of Use
Akamais platform is more complex due to its extensive feature set but offers detailed documentation and support resources. Its intuitive dashboard makes it easier for users to navigate and manage various services.
Fastly CDN is best suited for businesses requiring advanced caching, optimization, and security features. It excels in delivering high-performance content with minimal latency.
Best For
Akamai targets large enterprises, media companies, and financial institutions due to its comprehensive suite of services and extensive network capacity. Its robust security features make it ideal for organizations handling sensitive data or facing significant traffic volumes.

help When to Choose

Fastly CDN Fastly CDN
  • If you prioritize advanced caching and optimization features.
  • If you choose Fastly CDN if your business requires minimal latency and high performance content delivery.
  • If you choose Fastly CDN if DDoS protection is a primary concern but budget constraints are an issue.
Akamai Akamai
  • If you need comprehensive services including media delivery, application security, and extensive network capacity.
  • If you choose Akamai if your organization handles significant traffic volumes or requires robust security features.
  • If you are part of a large enterprise with diverse IT needs.

description Overview

Fastly CDN

Fastly CDN is a robust and feature-rich option, particularly suited for businesses needing advanced content delivery and security features. However, its high cost might make it less suitable for smaller organizations.
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Akamai

Akamai is one of the largest and most established CDN and cloud security providers, operating a vast intelligent edge platform. It offers comprehensive services including media delivery, web performance, application security, and edge compute. Known for its Origin Shield technology and massive network capacity, it handles some of the world's largest traffic events. Its acquisition of Linode bolste...
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