Fastly vs Akamai: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Fastly and Akamai 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:
Fastly
Edge cloud platform
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.7/10 vs 8.5/10)
- • You need real-time analytics features specifically
- • Fastly is an edge cloud platform providing CDN, security, and edge computing services
- • It delivers content globally with instant purging, DDoS protection, and edge logic
Akamai
Enterprise CDN and cloud security platform
Best for you if:
- • You need cdn features specifically
- • 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
| At a Glance |  Fastly |  Akamai |
|---|---|---|
Price | Paid | Paid |
Best For | Real-Time Analytics | CDN |
Rating | 87/100 | 85/100 |
| Feature | Fastly | Akamai |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| Editorial Score | 87 | 85 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Real-Time AnalyticsWeb Analytics | CDNVulnerability Scanning |
How Fastly and Akamai Compare
Fastly
Edge cloud platform
Paid · 87/100 score
Akamai
Enterprise CDN and cloud security platform
Paid · 85/100 score
Fastly is a real-time analytics tool. Akamai is in cdn.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are paid. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Fastly
Want the highest-rated option?
Fastly: 87/100. Akamai: 85/100.
Go with: Fastly
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Fastly
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are paid. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Fastly is a real-time analytics tool. Akamai is in cdn. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Fastly scores higher: 87/100 vs 85/100.
Key Takeaways
Fastly
- Higher score: 87/100 vs 85
- Our pick for this comparison
Akamai
- Better fit for cdn
The Bottom Line
Fastly (87/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fastly or Akamai better?
Fastly scores 87/100 in our evaluation. Both are paid.
What are Fastly and Akamai used for?
Fastly: Edge cloud platform. Akamai: Enterprise CDN and cloud security platform.
What does Fastly cost vs Akamai?
Fastly is a paid tool. Akamai is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.