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Cloudflare CDN vs Fastly

Side-by-side comparison of Cloudflare CDN and Fastly. Data-driven analysis for CTOs and engineering leaders.

Technical Profile

Cloudflare CDN

Scalability
very high
Performance
very high
Learning Curve
easy
Maturity
mature
Languages: Any (Platform service)

Fastly

Scalability
very high
Performance
very high
Learning Curve
moderate
Maturity
mature
Languages: VCL, Rust, JavaScript

When to Use

Cloudflare CDN

  • +Need global CDN
  • +DDoS protection required
  • +Static site hosting
  • +Edge computing needs

Avoid Cloudflare CDN when

  • -Need fine-grained control
  • -Complex caching rules
  • -Regulatory restrictions

Fastly

  • +Real-time purge needed
  • +High traffic media
  • +Edge compute

Avoid Fastly when

  • -Budget-constrained
  • -Simple CDN needs

Compliance & Security

Cloudflare CDN

SOC 2GDPRHIPAAPCI-DSS

Security Features

EncryptionAudit LogsRBACMFA

Fastly

SOC 2GDPRHIPAAPCI-DSS

Security Features

EncryptionAudit LogsRBACMFA

Operations

Cloudflare CDN

Maintenance
low
Monitoring
low
Backup/Recovery
simple
Hosting: managed

Fastly

Maintenance
low
Monitoring
low
Backup/Recovery
simple
Hosting: managed

Frequently Asked Questions

How does scalability compare between Cloudflare CDN and Fastly?

Cloudflare CDN offers very-high scalability, while Fastly offers very-high scalability. Consider your expected traffic and data volume when choosing.

Which has the easier learning curve: Cloudflare CDN or Fastly?

Cloudflare CDN has a easy learning curve, while Fastly has a moderate learning curve. Factor in your team's existing skills and onboarding timeline.

What are the pricing differences between Cloudflare CDN and Fastly?

Cloudflare CDN uses a freemium pricing model starting at $0-200/month with a free tier. Fastly uses a usage-based pricing model starting at $50/month with a free tier. Evaluate total cost of ownership including operational overhead.

Which option is better for compliance: Cloudflare CDN or Fastly?

Cloudflare CDN supports SOC 2, GDPR, PCI-DSS. Fastly supports SOC 2, GDPR, HIPAA, PCI-DSS. Always verify current certifications directly with the vendor.

Need help deciding between Cloudflare CDN vs Fastly?

Use our interactive decision tool for a personalized recommendation.