Amazon CloudFront vs StackPath: What are the differences?

Introduction

In this comparison, we will examine the key differences between Amazon CloudFront and StackPath, two popular content delivery networks (CDNs).

1. Global Reach: Amazon CloudFront has a larger global reach with over 200 edge locations spread across multiple continents, providing faster content delivery to users worldwide. StackPath, on the other hand, has a network of around 45 edge locations, which may result in slightly slower performance in some regions.

2. Customization Options: Amazon CloudFront offers extensive customization options such as edge computing with AWS Lambda@Edge for executing code at the edge locations, allowing for more dynamic content delivery. In contrast, StackPath focuses more on simplicity and ease of use, offering fewer advanced customization features compared to Amazon CloudFront.

3. Integration with AWS Services: Amazon CloudFront seamlessly integrates with other AWS services such as Amazon S3, EC2, and Lambda, enabling users to easily set up and manage their CDN alongside their existing AWS infrastructure. StackPath, while offering integration options, may not have the same level of integration depth as Amazon CloudFront with AWS services.

4. Security Features: Amazon CloudFront provides robust security features such as DDoS protection, SSL/TLS encryption, and AWS Web Application Firewall (WAF) for protecting web applications. StackPath also offers security features like DDoS mitigation and Secure Content Delivery Network (CDN) with built-in WAF, but the range and depth of security options may vary compared to Amazon CloudFront.

5. Pricing Structure: Amazon CloudFront follows a pay-as-you-go pricing model with no upfront fees and pricing based on data transfer out and requests. StackPath offers a tier-based pricing structure with different plans based on features and usage, providing users with more predictable costs but potentially limiting flexibility compared to Amazon CloudFront's on-demand pricing model.

6. Edge Compute Capabilities: Amazon CloudFront supports edge computing through AWS Lambda@Edge, allowing users to execute serverless functions at the edge locations. StackPath also offers edge compute features but may have different limitations or capabilities compared to Amazon CloudFront's robust edge computing capabilities.

In Summary, Amazon CloudFront and StackPath differ in terms of global reach, customization options, integration with AWS services, security features, pricing structure, and edge compute capabilities.