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Amazon CloudFront vs Akamai Comparison

Last updated:

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…

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

SpotSaaS Analysis

Amazon CloudFrontAkamai

The core difference between Amazon CloudFront and Akamai lies in their target audience and integration capabilities, with CloudFront being ideal for businesses heavily invested in AWS and Akamai catering to larger enterprises requiring robust security and performance. Amazon CloudFront is best suited for companies already utilizing AWS services, while Akamai is tailored for medium to large businesses with complex global content delivery requirements.

- Best for scalable, low-latency content delivery - Ideal for AWS-centric infrastructures - Extensive global edge locations - Suitable for companies with 51-500 or 500+ employees - Focused on fast content delivery - Seamless integration with AWS services

- Best for large enterprises needing high-performance CDN - Strong emphasis on security features - Suitable for medium to large businesses - Requires network operations or DevOps expertise - Focused on global content delivery needs - Ideal for complex content management setups

Amazon CloudFront vs Akamai — at a glance

FeatureAmazon CloudFrontAkamai
Rating4.3 / 53.9 / 5
Reviews20685
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 modesOnlineBusiness Hours, Online
CertificationsSOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, ISO 27001SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, ISO 27001
Data residencyGlobalGlobal

Key differences between Amazon CloudFront and Akamai

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

Amazon CloudFront vs Akamai — 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.

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

Free PDF comparison

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Biggest differences

Start here before you go deeper into features.

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.

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

Description

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

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

Free Trial Availability

  • No free trial
  • No free trial

Spotsaas Score

What's this? ↗

9.0/10

9.4/10

User Ratings

Based on verified Spotsaas reviews

3.9

(85)

Best Company Size

51-500 employees500+ employees
Medium BusinessLarge Enterprises
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Software Demo

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How do Amazon CloudFront and Akamai Compare on Features?

Total Features

7 Features

8 Features

Unique Features

No unique features

No unique features

Get Quote
Get Quote

Compare Amazon CloudFront and Akamai 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

      Amazon CloudFront pricing

      Pricing information not available

      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

      • Available
      • Not 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

      Amazon CloudFront User Reviews & Rating Comparison

      User Ratings

      Rating Distribution

      57

      24

      1

      2

      2

      12

      14

      5

      1

      1

      Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI

      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

      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

      Pros and Cons

      • 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

      • 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

      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

      Media and Screenshots

      Screenshots

      Amazon CloudFront Infrastructure

      3 Screenshots

      No screenshots available.

      Videos

      video-0

      3 Videos

      video-0

      2 Videos

      Top Alternatives to Amazon CloudFront and Akamai 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, Amazon CloudFront or Akamai?
      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 Amazon CloudFront and Akamai offer a free trial?
      Neither Amazon CloudFront nor Akamai currently lists a free trial.
      What is the starting price of Amazon CloudFront vs Akamai?
      Amazon CloudFront starts at Contact for pricing. Akamai starts at Contact for pricing.
      What are the top alternatives to Amazon CloudFront?
      Top alternatives to Amazon CloudFront include CloudFlare, Akamai, Microsoft Azure CDN, Google Cloud CDN, Universal CDN.
      What are the top alternatives to Akamai?
      Top alternatives to Akamai include CloudFlare, KeyCDN, CacheFly, PageCDN, Microsoft Azure CDN.

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