Introduction

Are you trying to decide between AWS CloudFront and Akamai for your content delivery needs? Here’s a comprehensive comparison to help you make the best choice.

Comparison Table

Detailed Comparison

Ease of Use

• Akamai: Setting up Akamai can be more complex due to the lack of extensive documentation and tutorials. However, their support team is very helpful and can guide you through the process[4|.

  

• AWS CloudFront: CloudFront is generally easier to set up, especially if you are already using other Amazon Web Services. It has a wealth of documentation, videos, and a large community to help you get started[4|.

  

Stability

• Akamai: Akamai boasts a high availability rate of 99.77%, ensuring your content is almost always accessible[1|.
• AWS CloudFront: CloudFront has a slightly lower availability rate at 99.74%, but this difference is relatively insignificant.

Speed

• Akamai: Known for its superior performance, Akamai has a 14% faster throughput rate compared to CloudFront, especially in international tests[1|.
• AWS CloudFront: While CloudFront performs well, it lags behind Akamai in terms of speed, particularly in regions outside of APAC.

Security

• Akamai: Akamai is a leader in security, offering advanced DDoS protection and Web Application Firewall (WAF) services through its Kona Site Defender. It also provides managed security services with minimal setup required from users[2|.
• AWS CloudFront: CloudFront integrates with AWS WAF and offers SSL/TLS encryption. However, its security features are not as comprehensive as Akamai’s, and it may require additional services to match Akamai’s security standards.

Pricing and Cost

• Akamai: Akamai’s pricing is customized based on factors like bandwidth, geographic region, and contract length. It does not have a transparent pricing model and does not offer a free trial[4|.
• AWS CloudFront: CloudFront operates on a pay-as-you-go model with clear pricing and a free trial for 12 months. However, there are extra charges for services like ingesting and signaling.

Customer Support Service

• Akamai: Akamai offers comprehensive support through community forums, email, and phone. Their support team is highly regarded for its expertise and responsiveness[4|.
• AWS CloudFront: CloudFront provides support via email, phone, and community forums. The extensive documentation and large community also make it easier to find help when needed.

Client Reviews

• Akamai: Preferred by large enterprises and high-traffic sites due to its superior performance, security, and reliability. Clients include Adobe, Audi, and IBM[4|.
• AWS CloudFront: Suitable for small to mid-sized businesses, especially those already using other Amazon Web Services. Clients include Allergan, Canon, and Intuit.

Pros and Cons

Akamai

Pros:

• Superior Performance: Faster throughput rates and better international performance.
• Advanced Security: Comprehensive DDoS and WAF protection.
• Global Reach: Servers in over 130 countries.
• Enterprise Focus: Ideal for high-traffic and enterprise-level needs.

Cons:

• Complex Setup: More difficult to set up compared to CloudFront.
• Higher Cost: Custom pricing can be expensive.
• Less Transparent Pricing: No public pricing model.

AWS CloudFront

Pros:

• Ease of Use: Easier setup with extensive documentation.
• Cost-Effective: Pay-as-you-go model with a free trial.
• Integration with AWS: Seamless integration with other Amazon Web Services.
• Community Support: Large community and easy access to support.

Cons:

• Lower Performance: Slower compared to Akamai, especially internationally.
• Less Comprehensive Security: Requires additional services for advanced security.
• Fewer Servers: Less global coverage compared to Akamai.

FAQs

1. Which CDN is better for live video streaming?

Akamai is generally better for live video streaming due to its superior performance, scalability, and reliability. It has a larger global distribution and faster throughput rates, which are crucial for live streaming.

2. How do the pricing models of Akamai and AWS CloudFront differ?

Akamai has a customized pricing model based on factors like bandwidth and contract length, while AWS CloudFront operates on a pay-as-you-go model with clear pricing and a free trial.

3. Which CDN offers better security features?

Akamai offers more comprehensive security features, including advanced DDoS protection and WAF services through its Kona Site Defender. AWS CloudFront’s security features are less comprehensive but can be enhanced with additional AWS services.

4. Is Akamai easier to set up than AWS CloudFront?

No, AWS CloudFront is generally easier to set up due to its extensive documentation and large community support. Akamai’s setup process is more complex and less documented.

5. Which CDN is more suitable for small to mid-sized businesses?

AWS CloudFront is more suitable for small to mid-sized businesses, especially those already using other Amazon Web Services, due to its ease of use, cost-effectiveness, and seamless integration with other AWS services.