jsDelivr vs Fastly: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between jsDelivr and Fastly 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
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
jsDelivr
Free CDN for open source packages
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (Fastly requires payment)
Fastly
Edge cloud for fast, secure, scalable online experiences
Best for you if:
- • You want ultra-fast edge
| At a Glance | jsDelivr | Fastly |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Free 100% free | $500/mo Compute Starter |
Category | CDN Developer Tools | Cloud & Infrastructure CDN |
Rating | 3.9/5 G2 3.9 148 reviews | 4.7/5 G2 4.7 · Capterra 4.5 88 reviews |
Free plan | Yes | No |
Watch out for | n/a | Overage fees for exceeding request limits |
Choose jsDelivr or Fastly?
Choose jsDelivr if
- You want a fully free tool (Fastly requires payment)
- You want free CDN for npm/GitHub
- You want fast global network
- You work in CDN, not cloud & infrastructure
Choose Fastly if
- You want ultra-fast edge
- You want real-time purging
- You work in cloud & infrastructure, not CDN
In-Depth Analysis
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
- Pro: Free CDN for npm/GitHub
- Pro: Fast global network
- Pro: No configuration
- Pro: Good uptime
- Pro: Multi-CDN
Weaknesses
- Con: No custom domains
- Con: Limited analytics
- Con: No origin support
- Con: For public packages only
- Con: Rate limits possible
Key features
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
- Pro: Ultra-fast edge
- Pro: Real-time purging
- Pro: Developer-friendly
Weaknesses
- Con: Complex pricing
- Con: Enterprise focused
Key features
Pricing: jsDelivr vs Fastly
| Plan | jsDelivr | Fastly |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | N/A | $1500 Network Basic |
| Tier 2 | N/A | $6000 Network Starter |
| Tier 3 | N/A | $500 Compute Starter |
| Tier 4 | N/A | $1500 Observability Starter |
| Tier 5 | N/A | Advantage/Ultimate |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on jsDelivr pricing and Fastly pricing.
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 jsDelivr or Fastly better in 2026?
jsDelivr wins this matchup. BunnyCDN is our overall CDN pick. Photon is our free CDN pick. Pick jsDelivr for CDN workflows (main strength: free CDN for npm/GitHub). Pick Fastly for cloud & infrastructure workflows (main strength: ultra-fast edge).
What are jsDelivr and Fastly used for?
jsDelivr: Free CDN for open source packages. Fastly: Edge cloud for fast, secure, scalable online experiences.
What does jsDelivr cost vs Fastly?
jsDelivr is free. Fastly's paid plans start at $500/mo (Compute Starter).
What's the main difference between jsDelivr and Fastly?
jsDelivr's main strength: free CDN for npm/GitHub. Fastly's main strength: ultra-fast edge.