Fastly vs Cloudflare: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Fastly 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:
Fastly
Edge cloud platform
Best for you if:
- • 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
Cloudflare
Internet security & performance
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (9.0/10 vs 8.7/10)
- • You want to try before committing
- • You need cdn features specifically
- • 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 |  Fastly |  Cloudflare |
|---|---|---|
Price | Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | Real-Time Analytics | CDN |
Rating | 87/100 | 90/100 |
| Feature | Fastly | Cloudflare |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 87 | 90 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Real-Time AnalyticsWeb Analytics | CDNServerless |
How Fastly and Cloudflare Compare
Fastly
Edge cloud platform
Paid · 87/100 score
Cloudflare
Internet security & performance
Free tier available · 90/100 score
Fastly is a real-time analytics tool. Cloudflare is in cdn.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Cloudflare has a free tier. Fastly is paid only.
Go with: Cloudflare
Want the highest-rated option?
Fastly: 87/100. 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?
Fastly is paid. Cloudflare is freemium. Cloudflare lets you start free.
What's your use case?
Fastly is a real-time analytics tool. Cloudflare is in cdn. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Cloudflare scores higher: 90/100 vs 87/100.
Key Takeaways
Cloudflare
- Higher score: 90/100 vs 87
- Free tier available
- Our pick for this comparison
Fastly
- Better fit for real-time analytics
The Bottom Line
Cloudflare (90/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fastly or Cloudflare better?
Cloudflare scores 90/100 in our evaluation. Fastly is paid and Cloudflare is freemium.
What are Fastly and Cloudflare used for?
Fastly: Edge cloud platform. Cloudflare: Internet security & performance.
What does Fastly cost vs Cloudflare?
Fastly is a paid tool. Cloudflare is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.