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Akamai vs Amazon CloudFront Comparison

Last updated:

Akamai

3.9(85 reviews)

Starting at Contact for pricing

  • Large Enterprises
  • Medium Business

Akamai is a CDN company. Akamai software works as a network of servers around the world to deliver files that are hosted on Akamai's servers, instead of being served from a website's own servers. By harnessing the comput…

Amazon CloudFront

4.3(206 reviews)

Starting at Contact for pricing

  • Large Enterprises
  • Medium Business

Amazon CloudFront is a content delivery network (CDN) service that speeds up distribution of websites, applications, and other web assets. CloudFront delivers content through a global network of data centers called Edge…

Amazon CloudFront leads on user satisfaction with a 4.3-star rating across 206 reviews.

Spotsaas Analysis

AkamaiAmazon CloudFront

The core difference between Akamai and Amazon CloudFront lies in Akamai's focus on high-performance global CDN solutions for large enterprises, while CloudFront excels in providing scalable, low-latency content delivery specifically tailored for AWS environments. Ideal buyers for Akamai are medium to large businesses with complex global content delivery needs, while Amazon CloudFront is best suited for organizations leveraging AWS infrastructure seeking fast and efficient content distribution.

Who should pick which

  • Best for large enterprises needing secure, high-performance global CDN:
  • Ideal for businesses with global content delivery needs:
  • Requires network operations or DevOps engineers for management:
  • Suitable for medium to large businesses:
  • Focuses on complex setups and extensive security features:
  • Notable for its extensive global network:
  • Best for scalable, low-latency content delivery within AWS:
  • Ideal for organizations with AWS-centric infrastructure:
  • Offers extensive edge locations for fast delivery:
  • Suitable for businesses of 51-500 and 500+ employees:
  • Seamless integration with other AWS services:
  • Notable for its cost-effectiveness in AWS environments:

Akamai vs Amazon CloudFront — at a glance

FeatureAkamaiAmazon CloudFront
Rating3.9 / 54.3 / 5
Reviews85206
Starting priceContact for pricingContact for pricing
Free trial No No
Free version No No
Best forLarge Enterprises, Medium Business, Small BusinessLarge Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business
CategoryContent Delivery Network (CDN) SoftwareContent Delivery Network (CDN) Software
PlatformsSaaS/Web/CloudSaaS/Web/Cloud
APIAvailable
Support modesBusiness Hours, OnlineOnline
CertificationsSOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, ISO 27001SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, ISO 27001
Data residencyGlobalGlobal

Key differences between Akamai and Amazon CloudFront

  • User satisfaction: Amazon CloudFront scores higher with a 4.3-star average.
  • Deployment: Akamai supports SaaS/Web/Cloud; Amazon CloudFront supports SaaS/Web/Cloud.

Akamai vs Amazon CloudFront — find the better fit before you commit.

01

Which tool fits your team best

02

Which is actually cheaper for your team size

03

Where each product wins, per real buyers

Most Content Delivery Network (CDN) Software tools look identical on paper. This comparison cuts to the differences that matter — pricing structure, team fit, and what real buyers found after signing up.

Akamai - Content Delivery Network (CDN) Software
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Talk to an expert
Amazon CloudFront - Content Delivery Network (CDN) Software
Talk to an expert
Talk to an expert

Free PDF comparison

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Biggest differences

Start here before you go deeper into features.

Akamai

Best for large enterprises needing a secure, high-performance global CDN.

Choose if
  • You operate a medium to large business with global content delivery needs.
  • Your team includes network operations or DevOps engineers capable of managing complex setups.
  • You require integrated security features alongside reliable, high-traffic content delivery.
Consider alternatives if
  • You are a small business with limited web traffic and budget constraints.
  • You need transparent, straightforward pricing and simple implementation.

Amazon CloudFront

Best for scalable, low-latency content delivery within AWS environments.

Choose if
  • You need fast, global content delivery with extensive edge locations.
  • Your infrastructure is primarily built on AWS services for seamless integration.
  • You require support for high-bandwidth and low-latency streaming or API delivery.
Consider alternatives if
  • Your company has minimal web traffic or only static content needs.
  • You lack AWS expertise or do not use AWS infrastructure.

Akamai: Best for large enterprises needing a secure, high-performance global CDN. Amazon CloudFront: Best for scalable, low-latency content delivery within AWS environments.

Description

Akamai is a CDN company. Akamai software works as a network of servers around the world to deliver files that are hosted on Akamai's servers, instead of being served from a website's own ... Read More about Akamai

Amazon CloudFront is a content delivery network (CDN) service that speeds up distribution of websites, applications, and other web assets. CloudFront delivers content through a global ... Read More about Amazon CloudFront

Free Trial Availability

  • No free trial
  • No free trial

SpotScore

What's this? ↗

9.4/10

9.0/10

User Ratings

Based on verified Spotsaas reviews

3.9

(85)

Best Company Size

Medium BusinessLarge Enterprises
51-500 employees500+ employees
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Software Demo

Demo

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How do Akamai and Amazon CloudFront Compare on Features?

Total Features

8 Features

7 Features

Unique Features

No unique features

No unique features

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Get Quote

Compare Akamai and Amazon CloudFront on pricing

Review starting price, plan structure, and free-trial access side by side so you can see which option fits your budget and buying process.

Pricing Option

      Pricing Page

      Pricing information not available

      Amazon CloudFront pricing

      Other Details

      Organization Types supported

      • Medium Business
      • Small Business
      • Freelancers
      • Large Enterprises
      • Individuals
      • Medium Business
      • Small Business
      • Freelancers
      • Large Enterprises
      • Individuals

      Platforms Supported

      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Mobile - Android
      • Mobile - iOS
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Mobile - Android
      • Mobile - iOS
      • Browser Based (Cloud)

      Modes of support

      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online
      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online

      API Support

      • Not Available
      • Available
      Get help choosing
      Get help choosing

      Security & Compliance

      Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.

      SOC 2

      ✓ Yes
      ✓ Yes

      HIPAA

      ✓ Yes
      ✓ Yes

      GDPR

      ✓ Yes
      ✓ Yes

      ISO 27001

      ✓ Yes
      ✓ Yes

      Single Sign-On (SSO)

      ✓ Yes

      Multi-Factor Auth (MFA)

      ✓ Yes

      Data Encryption

      ✓ Yes
      ✓ Yes

      Audit Logs

      ✓ Yes
      ✓ Yes

      Data Residency

      🌐 Global
      🌐 Global

      Akamai User Reviews & Rating Comparison

      User Ratings

      Rating Distribution

      12

      14

      5

      1

      1

      57

      24

      1

      2

      2

      Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI

      Buyer sentiment

      Users appreciate Akamai's global reach and performance but note concerns about pricing transparency and setup complexity.

      What buyers like

      • Global network coverage
      • Performance reliability
      • Security features

      Common complaints

      • Pricing opacity
      • Complex implementation

      Buyer sentiment

      Users generally appreciate CloudFront's performance and AWS integration but note pricing complexity and setup challenges.

      What buyers like

      • Performance and speed
      • AWS ecosystem integration
      • Global edge network coverage

      Common complaints

      • Pricing complexity
      • Steep learning curve for setup

      Pros and Cons

      • Extensive global server network improving content delivery speed

      • Reliable uptime and performance for high-traffic websites

      • Strong security features integrated into the CDN

      • Pricing is quotation-based and not publicly transparent

      • Complex setup requiring specialized technical knowledge

      • Global network of edge locations for low-latency content delivery

      • Seamless integration with other AWS services like S3 and Elastic Beanstalk

      • Supports high-bandwidth and low-latency content distribution

      • Pricing can be complex and is not publicly transparent

      • Requires AWS ecosystem knowledge for optimal use

      Positive Reviews

      No reviews available for the product

      No reviews available for the product

      Negative Reviews

      No reviews available for the product

      No reviews available for the product

      Used Akamai or Amazon CloudFront? Tell buyers what actually differs.

      Media and Screenshots

      Screenshots

      No screenshots available.

      Amazon CloudFront Infrastructure

      3 Screenshots

      Videos

      video-0

      2 Videos

      video-0

      3 Videos

      Top Alternatives to Akamai and Amazon CloudFront in 2026

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      Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].

      Frequently asked questions

      Which is better, Akamai or Amazon CloudFront?
      Amazon CloudFront edges out the other on user ratings (4.3 vs 3.9). That said, the best pick depends on your use case — use the comparison tables above to evaluate each dimension.
      Do Akamai and Amazon CloudFront offer a free trial?
      Neither Akamai nor Amazon CloudFront currently lists a free trial.
      What is the starting price of Akamai vs Amazon CloudFront?
      Akamai starts at Contact for pricing. Amazon CloudFront starts at Contact for pricing.
      What are the top alternatives to Akamai?
      Top alternatives to Akamai include CloudFlare, KeyCDN, CacheFly, PageCDN, Microsoft Azure CDN.
      What are the top alternatives to Amazon CloudFront?
      Top alternatives to Amazon CloudFront include CloudFlare, Akamai, Microsoft Azure CDN, Google Cloud CDN, Universal CDN.