Fastly vs. The Competition: A Comprehensive CDN Review
Introduction
Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) play a crucial role in delivering fast, reliable, and secure online experiences. Fastly is a leading CDN provider, known for its innovative features and high-performance network. In this review, we will compare Fastly with its top competitors to help you make an informed decision about the best CDN for your needs.
Key Features
| Feature | Fastly | Cloudflare | Akamai | Limelight | StackPath |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Network Size | 110+ PoPs | 275+ PoPs | 240+ PoPs | 170+ PoPs | 50+ PoPs |
| Edge Caching | High-speed edge caching | High-speed edge caching | Edge computing and caching | Edge caching and acceleration | Edge computing and caching |
| Security | WAF, DDoS protection | WAF, DDoS protection | WAF, DDoS protection | WAF, DDoS protection | DDoS mitigation, web application firewall |
| Image Optimization | Image Optimizer, Image Delivery | Image Resize, WebP Conversion | Image Manager, Image Optimization | Image Delivery, Image Manipulation | Image Optimizer, Image Resize |
| Video Streaming | Video-on-Demand (VOD), Live Streaming | Video-on-Demand (VOD), Live Streaming | Media Delivery Manager, Live Streaming | Video Delivery, Live Streaming | Video Delivery, Live Streaming |
| Analytics & Reporting | Real-time analytics | Real-time analytics | Real-time analytics | Real-time analytics | Real-time analytics |
Performance
Fastly is renowned for its high-speed content delivery network. Its edge caching technology reduces latency by storing content closer to end-users, resulting in faster page load times and improved user experience. In performance tests, Fastly consistently outperforms its competitors.
Security
Fastly offers robust security features to protect websites and applications from online threats. Its Web Application Firewall (WAF) blocks malicious traffic, while its DDoS protection shields websites from distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks. Fastly’s security measures help ensure website uptime, availability, and data integrity.
Scalability
Fastly’s network is designed to handle high volumes of traffic with ease. Its global presence and extensive caching infrastructure allow it to seamlessly scale and support websites and applications of all sizes. Fastly’s auto-scaling feature ensures optimal performance even during traffic surges.
Pricing
Fastly’s pricing model is based on bandwidth usage and features selected. The cost varies depending on usage and specific requirements. Cloudflare offers a free tier for basic CDN services, but its premium plans are priced similarly to Fastly. Akamai, Limelight, and StackPath have their own pricing structures, which may differ based on usage and features.
Customer Support
Fastly provides 24/7 customer support via phone, email, and online chat. Its support team is highly responsive and knowledgeable. Cloudflare, Akamai, Limelight, and StackPath also offer customer support, with varying levels of availability and response times.
Conclusion
Fastly is a top-rated CDN provider that offers high-performance content delivery, robust security, and excellent scalability. It is an ideal choice for websites and applications that require fast and reliable online performance. While Cloudflare, Akamai, Limelight, and StackPath are also reputable competitors, Fastly’s innovative features and high-speed network make it a leading solution in the CDN market.
