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.
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 need cloud & infrastructure 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
jsDelivr
Free CDN for open source packages
Best for you if:
- • You need something completely free
- • You need CDN features specifically
- • jsDelivr is a free CDN for open-source projects hosted on npm and GitHub
- • It serves JavaScript libraries with global distribution and automatic minification
| At a Glance |  Fastly |  jsDelivr |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | $500/moCompute Starter | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | Cloud & Infrastructure | CDN |
Rating | 4.6/5 | - |
Free plan | No | Yes |
Choose Fastly or jsDelivr?
Choose Fastly if
Edge cloud for fast, secure, scalable online experiences
- Ultra-fast edge
- Real-time purging
- Developer-friendly
- Your work is cloud & infrastructure-shaped, not CDN-shaped
Choose jsDelivr if
Free CDN for open source packages
- Free CDN for npm/GitHub
- Fast global network
- No configuration
- You want a fully free tool (Fastly requires payment)
- Your work is CDN-shaped, not cloud & infrastructure-shaped
| Feature | Fastly | jsDelivr |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Free |
| User Rating | ★4.6/5 117 reviews | No ratings yet |
| Categories | Cloud & InfrastructureCDN | CDNDeveloper Tools |
In-Depth Analysis
Fastly
Edge cloud for fast, secure, scalable online experiences
Strengths
- +Ultra-fast edge
- +Real-time purging
- +Developer-friendly
Weaknesses
- -Complex pricing
- -Enterprise focused
Key features
jsDelivr
Free CDN for open source packages
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 is rated 4.6/5. jsDelivr has no ratings yet.
Go with: Fastly
Value user reviews?
Fastly: 117 reviews (4.6/5). jsDelivr: no ratings yet.
Go with: Fastly
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 4.6/5; jsDelivr has no ratings yet.
Key Takeaways
jsDelivr
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Fastly
- Better fit for cloud & infrastructure
The Bottom Line
jsDelivr is our 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.