For those with a digital presence, you’re likely familiar with Content Delivery Networks (CDNs). While Cloudflare is a popular choice, especially with its free plan, it may not be the best fit for every website. If you’re looking for alternatives, consider these eight options that offer a variety of features and services.
1. Akamai CDN Website: https://www.akamai.com/
Overview: Established in 1998, Akamai is a leading provider of cybersecurity services, boasting an extensive global network with 325,000 servers in over 135 countries. Akamai’s CDN excels in reliability, security, and performance, making it a top contender for those considering alternatives to Cloudflare.
Features: Akamai offers adaptive media delivery, API acceleration, and top-tier security, including DDoS protection and its highly regarded Kona Site Defender. However, Akamai’s pricing is available only through consultation, and it lacks a free plan.
2. Imperva Website: https://www.imperva.com/
Overview: Imperva, formerly known as WEBcohort, provides a powerful CDN with integrated load balancing, caching, and failover features. Its advanced bot protection and DDoS protection ensure business continuity, making it a solid Cloudflare alternative.
Features: Imperva offers a 30-day free trial, during which bandwidth is limited to 100 Mbps. Pricing details are provided upon consultation.
3. StackPath Website: https://www.stackpath.com/
Overview: StackPath, founded in 2015, is known for its edge computing technology and extensive network of servers across more than 50 edge locations. The platform provides real-time analytics, RESTful HTTP APIs for customization, and robust security features.
Features: StackPath does not offer a free plan or trial, and pricing is available only through direct consultation.
4. Sucuri CDN Website: https://sucuri.net/
Overview: Founded in 2010, Sucuri specializes in website security, offering a CDN integrated with a cloud-based Web Application Firewall (WAF) and DDoS protection. Its intelligent caching and HTTP/2 support significantly improve site performance.
Features: Sucuri’s cheapest plan does not include malware cleanup, which requires a higher-tiered subscription. There is no free plan available.
5. Fastly Website: https://www.fastly.com/
Overview: Fastly, founded in 2011, has quickly become a major player in the CDN market, offering an edge cloud platform with features like load balancing, image optimization, and media streaming. Fastly provides real-time visibility and customizable integration options.
Features: Fastly offers a free trial with usage up to $50 of traffic. Beyond that, it operates on a pay-as-you-go model.
6. Limelight Networks Website: https://www.limelight.com/
Overview: Based in Arizona, Limelight Networks excels in media content delivery, using a 100GbE global private fiber network with 135 Points of Presence (POPs). Limelight’s CDN includes intelligent content management and the SmartPurge feature for real-time content updates.
Features: Limelight offers a free trial, with detailed pricing available through consultation. Recently, it rebranded as Edgio following its acquisition of Yahoo’s Edgecast.
7. Amazon CloudFront Website: https://aws.amazon.com/cloudfront/
Overview: Part of Amazon Web Services, Amazon CloudFront offers a CDN with built-in security features, including DDoS protection via AWS Shield Standard. It supports dynamic scaling and is a cost-effective option, especially within AWS’s free tier.
Features: Amazon CloudFront provides 1 TB of data transfer and 10,000,000 HTTP/HTTPS requests per month under its free tier. However, costs can escalate with higher usage.
8. Microsoft Azure CDN Website: https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/services/cdn/
Overview: Microsoft Azure, launched in 2010, offers a global CDN with extensive coverage and scalability. Its advanced analytics and security measures, including HTTP/3 support, make it a strong alternative to Cloudflare.
Features: Azure’s pricing is based on usage, with no upfront costs or termination fees. A 30-day free trial is available for new users.
Conclusion While Cloudflare remains a popular choice for many websites, its limitations and costs may prompt users to explore other options. The alternatives listed above provide various features and pricing models to suit different needs, making them worthy of consideration.