AWS CloudFront vs Akamai
A detailed comparison to help you choose between AWS CloudFront and Akamai.
Quick Verdict
3.5/5
AWS CloudFront
68 reviews
3.5/5
Akamai
375 reviews
Both AWS CloudFront and Akamai are equally rated at 3.5/5. CloudFront is AWS's global CDN with 450+ PoPs. Lambda@Edge and CloudFront Functions for programmable edge logic. Integrates deeply with S3, EC2, ELB, and API Gateway. First 1TB/month free. Akamai invented the CDN industry in 1998. 340,000+ servers in 130+ countries. Enterprise CDN, edge security, and media delivery at massive scale. Acquired Linode for cloud compute.
 AWS CloudFront AWS CDN with Lambda@Edge for programmable delivery |  Akamai The original CDN — 340,000 servers globally | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Rating | 3.5 (68 reviews) | 3.5 (375 reviews) |
| Pricing model | freemium | paid |
| Starting price | Free tier available✓ | From €500/mo |
| Best for | AWS-invested applications needing CDN deeply integrated with S3, API Gateway, and Lambda | Global media companies and enterprises needing the largest and most battle-tested CDN infrastructure |
| Tags | ||
| Tags | free tierapi accesseu datacenterus datacenterapac datacenter | ddos protectioneu datacenterus datacenterapac datacenter |
| Visit AWS CloudFront → | Visit Akamai → | |
AWS CloudFront
Pros
- + Deep AWS ecosystem integration
- + Lambda@Edge for edge computing
- + 450+ PoPs globally
Cons
- - Complex pricing model
- - AWS expertise required for optimal configuration
Akamai
Pros
- + 340,000 servers — unmatched global scale
- + Enterprise security and media delivery
- + Includes Linode cloud compute
Cons
- - Enterprise-only pricing — complex procurement
- - Not for individuals or SMBs
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