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Microsoft Azure CDN alternatives

10 companies ranked alongside Microsoft Azure CDN on Lister's rankings, compared on what each is best for, its starting price and its Lister Score.

FROM 2 RANKINGS · UPDATED
The closest alternatives to Microsoft Azure CDN on Lister are Cloudflare, Akamai and Fastly, the companies that share the most rankings with it. Each is compared below on its stated best fit, starting price and Lister Score.
Microsoft Azure CDN alternatives, compared
#ALTERNATIVEBEST FORSCOREFROMRANKED
1CloudflarePerformance and security at scaleOverall performance and security95.0$0/month#1 in Top 10 CDN ServicesOn 2 of Microsoft Azure CDN's rankings
2AkamaiPowering and protecting life onlineLarge global enterprises requiring maximum security and scale92.7Custom#2 in Top 10 CDN ServicesOn 2 of Microsoft Azure CDN's rankings
3FastlyDeliver faster, safer, and more engaging experiencesDevelopers needing real-time control and edge computing90.3$50 minimum spend per month#3 in Top 10 Content Delivery NetworksOn 2 of Microsoft Azure CDN's rankings
4BunnyCDNLightning fast content delivery made simpleStartups and blogs looking for extreme value and speed83.3$1 per month#6 in Top 10 Content Delivery NetworksOn 2 of Microsoft Azure CDN's rankings
5Google Cloud CDNFast, reliable web and video deliveryApplications hosted on Google Cloud Platform83.3Pay as you go#6 in Top 10 CDN ServicesOn 2 of Microsoft Azure CDN's rankings
6Amazon CloudFrontFast, highly secure, and programmable content deliveryUsers already hosting infrastructure on Amazon Web Services92.7Pay as you go#2 in Top 10 Content Delivery Networks
7CloudinaryEnterprise media management and manipulation85.7Free#5 in Top 10 CDN Services
8KeyCDNHigh performance content deliveryBudget-conscious developers and small to medium websites85.7$4 per month minimum#5 in Top 10 Content Delivery Networks
9StackPathThe edge computing platformBusinesses needing integrated edge computing and security81.0Custom#7 in Top 10 Content Delivery Networks
10Imperva (Incapsula)CDN with integrated security and DDoS protection for application safetyEnterprises prioritising security and compliance alongside content delivery, particularly under regulatory scrutiny76.3Custom#9 in Top 10 CDN Services
FROM LISTER RANKINGS · UPDATED HOW WE RANK →

How to choose an alternative to Microsoft Azure CDN

Start from what you need it for. Where each fits best, as Lister records it:

  • Cloudflare: Overall performance and security
  • Akamai: Large global enterprises requiring maximum security and scale
  • Fastly: Developers needing real-time control and edge computing
  • BunnyCDN: Startups and blogs looking for extreme value and speed
  • Google Cloud CDN: Applications hosted on Google Cloud Platform
  • Amazon CloudFront: Users already hosting infrastructure on Amazon Web Services
  • Cloudinary: Enterprise media management and manipulation
  • KeyCDN: Budget-conscious developers and small to medium websites
  • StackPath: Businesses needing integrated edge computing and security
  • Imperva (Incapsula): Enterprises prioritising security and compliance alongside content delivery, particularly under regulatory scrutiny

Closest to Microsoft Azure CDN by the rankings they share: Cloudflare (2 rankings), Akamai (2 rankings) and Fastly (2 rankings).

Free to start, by their stated pricing: Cloudflare and Cloudinary.

Stated starting prices: Fastly ($50 minimum spend per month), BunnyCDN ($1 per month) and KeyCDN ($4 per month minimum).

Custom or quote-based pricing: Akamai, StackPath and Imperva (Incapsula).

Each Lister Score is the alternative's score on the ranking named in its row, so compare scores within one ranking rather than across rankings. How the score is made.

Each alternative in brief

01

Cloudflare

Performance and security at scale

#1 in Top 10 CDN Services: Cloudflare operates one of the world's largest global networks, combining CDN, DDoS protection, WAF, and DNS services in a single integrated platform. Known for developer-friendly APIs and competitive pricing.

$0/monthBest for: Overall performance and securityFull profile
PROS
  • Generous free tier with robust DDoS protection
  • Extremely fast global DNS propagation times
CONS
  • Advanced security features require expensive enterprise plans
95.0
02

Akamai

Powering and protecting life online

#2 in Top 10 CDN Services: Akamai is the world's oldest and largest CDN provider, serving fortune 500 companies and handling roughly 30% of web traffic. Offers best-in-class edge computing, image optimisation, and video streaming.

Pricing: CustomBest for: Large global enterprises requiring maximum security and scaleFull profile
PROS
  • Massive global network capacity
  • Enterprise-grade security and mitigation tools
CONS
  • Prohibitive pricing for smaller businesses
  • Complex enterprise contracts
92.7
03

Fastly

Deliver faster, safer, and more engaging experiences

#3 in Top 10 Content Delivery Networks: An edge cloud platform designed to help developers build, secure, and deliver digital experiences at scale.

From $50 minimum spend per monthBest for: Developers needing real-time control and edge computingFull profile
PROS
  • Instant cache purges taking milliseconds
  • Excellent real-time analytics and logging
CONS
  • Higher starting costs for small projects
90.3
04

BunnyCDN

Lightning fast content delivery made simple

#6 in Top 10 Content Delivery Networks: An ultra-fast, highly affordable content delivery network focused on simplicity and performance.

From $1 per monthBest for: Startups and blogs looking for extreme value and speedFull profile
PROS
  • Extremely low pricing
  • Very fast setup and configuration
CONS
  • Smaller global network footprint compared to Akamai or Cloudflare
83.3
05

Google Cloud CDN

Fast, reliable web and video delivery

#6 in Top 10 CDN Services: Google Cloud CDN is the content delivery layer of Google Cloud Platform, integrating with Compute Engine, Cloud Storage, and Load Balancing. Leverages Google's global network and machine learning.

Pricing: Pay as you goBest for: Applications hosted on Google Cloud PlatformFull profile
PROS
  • Utilizes Google's private global fiber network
  • Deep integration with Google Cloud Platform services
CONS
  • Best utilized only if already inside the Google ecosystem
83.3
06

Amazon CloudFront

Fast, highly secure, and programmable content delivery

#2 in Top 10 Content Delivery Networks: A fast content delivery network service that securely delivers data, videos, applications, and APIs to customers globally.

Pricing: Pay as you goBest for: Users already hosting infrastructure on Amazon Web ServicesFull profile
PROS
  • Deep integration with Amazon Web Services ecosystem
  • Highly scalable and customizable with Lambda at Edge
CONS
  • Steep learning curve for beginners
  • Complex pricing structure
92.7
07

Cloudinary

#5 in Top 10 CDN Services: Cloudinary is a purpose-built platform for image and video optimisation, transformation, and delivery. Excels at dynamic resizing, format conversion, and responsive image serving.

FreeBest for: Enterprise media management and manipulationFull profile
PROS
  • Robust enterprise-grade infrastructure
  • Extensive suite of AI transformation tools
CONS
  • Can be overly complex and costly for small businesses
85.7
08

KeyCDN

High performance content delivery

#5 in Top 10 Content Delivery Networks: A high-performance and developer-friendly content delivery network with a pay-as-you-go pricing model.

From $4 per month minimumBest for: Budget-conscious developers and small to medium websitesFull profile
PROS
  • Affordable pay-as-you-go pricing
  • Simple and intuitive user interface
CONS
  • Fewer advanced security features than competitors
85.7
09

StackPath

The edge computing platform

#7 in Top 10 Content Delivery Networks: A secure edge computing platform providing content delivery and application security.

Pricing: CustomBest for: Businesses needing integrated edge computing and securityFull profile
PROS
  • Strong focus on developer tooling
  • Integrated web application firewall
CONS
  • Recent pivot away from self-service signups
81.0
10

Imperva (Incapsula)

CDN with integrated security and DDoS protection for application safety

#9 in Top 10 CDN Services: Imperva provides a unified platform combining CDN, DDoS protection, WAF, and API security. Formerly known as Incapsula, it serves enterprise clients requiring security alongside performance.

Pricing: CustomBest for: Enterprises prioritising security and compliance alongside content delivery, particularly under regulatory scrutinyFull profile
PROS
  • Integrated security (DDoS, WAF, API protection) eliminates multi-product complexity
  • Strong focus on compliance and enterprise security requirements
CONS
  • Custom pricing makes budget forecasting difficult for small teams
76.3