Akamai vs EdgeCast: What are the differences?

Akamai and EdgeCast are two popular content delivery network (CDN) providers that help improve website performance and reliability by caching content closer to users. Below are the key differences between Akamai and EdgeCast.

1. **Network Size**: Akamai has a larger global network presence with servers in more locations, providing broader coverage and lower latency for users worldwide compared to EdgeCast.

2. **Security Features**: Akamai offers a comprehensive security suite including DDoS protection, web application firewall, and bot management, whereas EdgeCast may have a more limited set of security features.

3. **Focus on Enterprise vs. SMB**: Akamai traditionally caters more towards enterprise clients with high-volume traffic and complex requirements, while EdgeCast may be more suitable for small to medium-sized businesses with lighter traffic.

4. **Customization and Flexibility**: EdgeCast may offer more flexibility in terms of pricing plans, content delivery configurations, and APIs compared to Akamai, making it a preferred choice for users seeking customization options.

5. **Performance Optimization**: Akamai is known for its advanced performance optimization technologies such as dynamic site acceleration and image optimization, which may provide better overall performance compared to EdgeCast.

6. **Service Level Agreements (SLAs)**: Akamai typically offers more robust SLAs with higher uptime guarantees and better customer support compared to EdgeCast, which may be critical for businesses requiring maximum uptime and support reliability.

In Summary, Akamai and EdgeCast differ in network size, security features, target client focus, customization options, performance optimization, and service level agreements.