Fastly vs jsDelivr: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between Fastly and jsDelivr 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.
Bottom line: jsDelivr wins this matchup. BunnyCDN is our overall CDN pick. Photon is our free CDN pick. Pick Fastly if you need cloud & infrastructure.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Fastly
Edge cloud for fast, secure, scalable online experiences
Best for you if:
- • You want ultra-fast edge
- • You want real-time purging
jsDelivr
Free CDN for open source packages
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (Fastly requires payment)
- • You want free CDN for npm/GitHub
- • You want fast global network
| At a Glance | Fastly | jsDelivr |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | $500/moCompute Starter | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Cloud & Infrastructure | CDN |
Rating | 4.7/5 | 3.9/5 |
Free plan | No | Yes |
Choose Fastly or jsDelivr?
Choose Fastly if
Edge cloud for fast, secure, scalable online experiences
- You want ultra-fast edge
- You want real-time purging
- Your work is cloud & infrastructure-shaped, not CDN-shaped
Choose jsDelivr if
Free CDN for open source packages
- You want a fully free tool (Fastly requires payment)
- You want free CDN for npm/GitHub
- You want fast global network
- Your work is CDN-shaped, not cloud & infrastructure-shaped
| Feature | Fastly | jsDelivr |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Free |
| User Rating | ★4.7/5 88 reviews | ★3.9/5 148 reviews |
| Categories | Cloud & InfrastructureCDN | CDNDeveloper Tools |
In-Depth Analysis
Fastly
Edge cloud for fast, secure, scalable online experiences
Fastly's pricing appears expensive for smaller businesses, with the 'Network Basic' tier starting at $1500/month for 100M requests.
Watch out
Overage fees for exceeding request limits
Strengths
- +Ultra-fast edge
- +Real-time purging
- +Developer-friendly
Weaknesses
- -Complex pricing
- -Enterprise focused
Key features
jsDelivr
Free CDN for open source packages
jsDelivr's pricing is exceptionally generous, as it offers a completely free CDN service for open-source packages, npm, and GitHub files with unlimited bandwidth.
Strengths
- +Free CDN for npm/GitHub
- +Fast global network
- +No configuration
- +Good uptime
- +Multi-CDN
Weaknesses
- -No custom domains
- -Limited analytics
- -No origin support
- -For public packages only
- -Rate limits possible
Key features
Pricing: Fastly vs jsDelivr
| Plan | Fastly | jsDelivr |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $1500 Network Basic | N/A |
| Tier 2 | $6000 Network Starter | N/A |
| Tier 3 | $500 Compute Starter | N/A |
| Tier 4 | $1500 Observability Starter | N/A |
| Tier 5 | Advantage/Ultimate | N/A |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Fastly pricing and jsDelivr pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
jsDelivr is free. Fastly is paid.
Go with: jsDelivr
Want the highest-rated option?
Fastly: 4.7/5 (88 reviews). jsDelivr: 3.9/5 (148 reviews).
Go with: Fastly
Value user reviews?
Fastly: 88 reviews (4.7/5). jsDelivr: 148 reviews (3.9/5).
Go with: jsDelivr
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Fastly is paid. jsDelivr is free. Go with jsDelivr if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Fastly is a cloud & infrastructure tool. jsDelivr is in CDN. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Fastly is rated higher: 4.7/5 vs 3.9/5.
Key Takeaways
jsDelivr
- Larger review base (148 reviews)
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Fastly
- Higher user rating: 4.7/5 vs 3.9/5
- Better fit for cloud & infrastructure
The Bottom Line
jsDelivr wins this matchup. BunnyCDN is our overall CDN pick. Photon is our free CDN pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fastly or jsDelivr better?
jsDelivr is rated in our evaluation. Fastly is paid and jsDelivr is free.
What are Fastly and jsDelivr used for?
Fastly: Edge cloud for fast, secure, scalable online experiences. jsDelivr: Free CDN for open source packages.
What does Fastly cost vs jsDelivr?
Fastly is a paid tool. jsDelivr is completely free. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.