Akamai vs Cloudflare: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Akamai and Cloudflare comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Akamai
Enterprise CDN and cloud security platform
Best for you if:
- • Akamai is a global CDN and cloud security provider powering many of the world's largest websites
- • It delivers content from edge servers worldwide while protecting against DDoS and web attacks
Cloudflare
Internet security & performance
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (9.0/10 vs 8.5/10)
- • You want to try before committing
- • Cloudflare protects and accelerates websites with security, CDN, and edge computing services
- • It provides DDoS protection, SSL, DNS, and a global network serving millions of properties
| At a Glance |  Akamai |  Cloudflare |
|---|---|---|
Price | Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | CDN | CDN |
Rating | 85/100 | 90/100 |
| Feature | Akamai | Cloudflare |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 85 | 90 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | CDNVulnerability Scanning | CDNServerless |
How Akamai and Cloudflare Compare
Akamai
Enterprise CDN and cloud security platform
Paid · 85/100 score
Cloudflare
Internet security & performance
Free tier available · 90/100 score
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Cloudflare has a free tier. Akamai is paid only.
Go with: Cloudflare
Want the highest-rated option?
Akamai: 85/100. Cloudflare: 90/100.
Go with: Cloudflare
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Cloudflare
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Akamai is paid. Cloudflare is freemium. Cloudflare lets you start free.
What's your use case?
Both are cdn tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Cloudflare scores higher: 90/100 vs 85/100.
Key Takeaways
Cloudflare
- Higher score: 90/100 vs 85
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Akamai
The Bottom Line
Cloudflare (90/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Akamai or Cloudflare better?
Cloudflare scores 90/100 in our evaluation. Akamai is paid and Cloudflare is freemium.
What are Akamai and Cloudflare used for?
Akamai: Enterprise CDN and cloud security platform. Cloudflare: Internet security & performance.
What does Akamai cost vs Cloudflare?
Akamai is a paid tool. Cloudflare is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.