Azure CDN vs Fastly: What are the differences?

Introduction

Azure CDN and Fastly are both content delivery network (CDN) services that help improve the performance, reliability, and scalability of websites or applications by caching content in multiple edge locations worldwide. However, there are several key differences between Azure CDN and Fastly that make them unique in terms of features, pricing, and integration capabilities.

1. Integration with Azure services: One key difference between Azure CDN and Fastly is their integration capabilities with other services. Azure CDN is seamlessly integrated with various Azure services such as Azure Web Apps, Azure Storage, and Azure Media Services. This integration allows developers to easily leverage the power of Azure's ecosystem and benefit from features like automatic cache invalidations and dynamic site acceleration. On the other hand, Fastly offers a wide range of third-party integrations and can be integrated with various cloud platforms, including Azure, as a standalone CDN solution.

2. Pricing model: Another important difference lies in the pricing structure of Azure CDN and Fastly. Azure CDN offers a consumption-based pricing model, where users pay for the amount of data transferred and the number of CDN endpoints used. This model is suitable for businesses with fluctuating traffic and allows for cost optimization. In contrast, Fastly offers a tiered pricing model, which means that users have to choose a specific plan based on their expected traffic volume. While this model may be beneficial for certain use cases, it may not provide the same flexibility and cost-effectiveness as Azure CDN's consumption-based pricing.

3. Configuration and management: Azure CDN and Fastly also differ in terms of configuration and management capabilities. Azure CDN provides a user-friendly graphical interface through the Azure portal, allowing developers to easily configure CDN endpoints, manage cache rules, and monitor performance metrics. Additionally, Azure CDN supports Azure Resource Manager templates and PowerShell scripts, enabling automation and infrastructure as code practices. In contrast, Fastly offers a powerful yet complex configuration language called VCL (Varnish Configuration Language), which requires developers to have a deeper understanding of CDN-specific concepts and syntax.

4. Global reach and network size: When it comes to global reach and network size, Azure CDN and Fastly have different strengths. Azure CDN leverages the global infrastructure of Microsoft's Azure network, which spans across 60 regions worldwide, offering extensive coverage and low-latency edge connections. Fastly, on the other hand, operates its own global network of edge locations, strategically placed in key metropolitan areas, ensuring high-performance content delivery. The choice between Azure CDN and Fastly may depend on the specific geographical distribution and reach requirements of the application or website.

5. Security and customization: Both Azure CDN and Fastly have robust security features, but they differ in terms of customization options. Azure CDN provides built-in security features, such as HTTPS support and DDoS protection, with the ability to easily enable features like Web Application Firewall (WAF) using Azure Web Application Gateway. Fastly, on the other hand, offers extensive customization options through its powerful edge computing capabilities. Developers can write custom VCL code to control and modify requests and responses at the edge, allowing for highly tailored security configurations.

6. Support and documentation: The level of support and documentation provided by Azure CDN and Fastly also sets them apart. Azure CDN benefits from Microsoft's comprehensive support system, including access to a vast knowledge base, community forums, and official support channels. The documentation for Azure CDN is well-structured and regularly updated. Fastly offers various levels of support packages, including 24/7 support, and its documentation provides in-depth technical resources, code examples, and best practices for developers.

In Summary, Azure CDN and Fastly differ in their integration capabilities, pricing models, configuration and management, global reach and network size, security and customization options, as well as support and documentation. Choosing between them depends on factors such as specific requirements, budget, familiarity with CDN concepts, and the need for extensive customization.