Cloudflare vs Akamai - Which Content Delivery Network Service is Better?
If you want your website to load quickly and securely, you need a content delivery network (CDN) service. There are many CDN services available, but two of the most popular ones are Cloudflare and Akamai. Both have their advantages and disadvantages, and both are used by some of the world's biggest websites.
At Flare Compare, we take CDN services seriously, which is why we decided to put Cloudflare and Akamai head-to-head to see which one is the better choice. So, without further ado, let's get started.
Performance
When it comes to performance, both Cloudflare and Akamai are impressive. However, Cloudflare seems to offer slightly better results than Akamai.
According to web performance tests conducted by the independent website analysis company, Cloud Spectator, Cloudflare was faster than Akamai when it came to processing HTTPS requests, with Cloudflare completing the test 23% faster than Akamai.
Moreover, Cloudflare's global network is more extensive than Akamai's, which means that users further away from origin servers can access content in less time, resulting in faster load times.
Winner: Cloudflare
Security
Both CDNs offer excellent security features, such as SSL/TLS encryption for secure data transfer, DDoS protection, and web application firewalls.
However, Cloudflare has the upper hand when it comes to security. Cloudflare is famous for its ability to mitigate DDoS attacks efficiently, with the company's global network helping to distribute incoming traffic and filter out malicious requests.
Winner: Cloudflare
Customer Support
When it comes to customer support, both Cloudflare and Akamai offer 24/7 support via phone, email, and live chat.
However, Cloudflare wins the round due to their superior knowledge base documentation, video tutorials, and community forums. Cloudflare understands the importance of educating their customers on their products, and their educational resources are top-notch.
Winner: Cloudflare
Pricing
Pricing is a significant factor when choosing between Cloudflare and Akamai. While both CDNs use a pay-as-you-go pricing model, Cloudflare is significantly less expensive than Akamai.
For instance, Cloudflare's enterprise plan starts at $200 per month, while Akamai's enterprise plan starts at $3500 per month. The pricing difference is significant, and Cloudflare's affordability makes them an excellent choice for small to medium-sized businesses.
Winner: Cloudflare
Conclusion
When it comes to comparing Cloudflare vs. Akamai for choosing the better CDN service, Cloudflare comes out on top.
Cloudflare vs Akamai - which CDN service is better? It's clear that there is no clear winner since both CDNs have their advantages and disadvantages. However, if you're looking for a CDN that offers better performance, enhanced security, top-notch customer support, and affordability, Cloudflare is your best bet.
Cloudflare is an excellent choice for small to medium-sized online businesses looking to improve their website's performance and security, and its affordability is the icing on the cake.