jsDelivr vs Photon: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between jsDelivr and Photon 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. Our overall CDN pick is BunnyCDN. Our free CDN pick is unpkg. Pick Photon if you need a free tier to start with.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
jsDelivr
Free CDN for open source packages
Best for you if:
- • You want a fully free tool (Photon requires payment)
- • You want free CDN for npm/GitHub
- • You want fast global network
Photon
Accelerate your WordPress.com site with optimized image and static file delivery.
Best for you if:
- • You want significantly improves website loading speed
- • You want reduces server load on the main WordPress.com site
| At a Glance | jsDelivr | Photon |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | FreeFree tier available | FreeFree tier available |
Best For | CDN | CDN |
Rating | 3.9/5 | 4.2/5 |
Free plan | Yes | Yes |
Choose jsDelivr or Photon?
Choose jsDelivr if
Free CDN for open source packages
- You want a fully free tool (Photon requires payment)
- You want free CDN for npm/GitHub
- You want fast global network
Choose Photon if
Accelerate your WordPress.com site with optimized image and static file delivery.
- You want significantly improves website loading speed
- You want reduces server load on the main WordPress.com site
| Feature | jsDelivr | Photon |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Free | Freemium |
| User Rating | ★3.9/5 148 reviews | ★4.2/5 4,153 reviews |
| Categories | CDNDeveloper Tools | CDNCloud & Infrastructure |
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
- +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
Photon
Accelerate your WordPress.com site with optimized image and static file delivery.
Photon's pricing is unique as it's not a standalone product but rather a feature bundled with higher-tier WordPress.com plans.
Watch out
Requires a full WordPress.com Business/Commerce plan for advanced features.
Strengths
- +Significantly improves website loading speed
- +Reduces server load on the main WordPress.com site
- +Automatically optimizes images for various screen sizes and formats
- +Enhances user experience with faster content delivery
- +Simple to enable and manage for eligible plans
Weaknesses
- -No cache invalidation
- -No support for custom theme or plugin assets
- -Manual image purging only
Key features
Pricing: jsDelivr vs Photon
| Plan | jsDelivr | Photon |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | N/A | Free Free |
| Tier 2 | N/A | Upgrade plan Personal |
| Tier 3 | N/A | Upgrade plan Premium |
| Tier 4 | N/A | Included Business |
| Tier 5 | N/A | Included Commerce |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on jsDelivr pricing and Photon pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
jsDelivr is free. Photon is freemium.
Go with: jsDelivr
Want the highest-rated option?
jsDelivr: 3.9/5 (148 reviews). Photon: 4.2/5 (4,153 reviews).
Go with: Photon
Value user reviews?
jsDelivr: 148 reviews (3.9/5). Photon: 4,153 reviews (4.2/5).
Go with: Photon
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
jsDelivr is free. Photon is freemium. Go with jsDelivr if free matters most.
What's your use case?
Both are cdn tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
Photon is rated higher: 4.2/5 vs 3.9/5.
Key Takeaways
jsDelivr
- Completely free
- Our pick for this comparison
Photon
- Higher user rating: 4.2/5 vs 3.9/5
- Larger review base (4,153 reviews)
The Bottom Line
jsDelivr wins this matchup. Our overall CDN pick is BunnyCDN. Our free CDN pick is unpkg.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is jsDelivr or Photon better?
jsDelivr is rated in our evaluation. jsDelivr is free and Photon is freemium.
What are jsDelivr and Photon used for?
jsDelivr: Free CDN for open source packages. Photon: Accelerate your WordPress.com site with optimized image and static file delivery..
What does jsDelivr cost vs Photon?
jsDelivr is completely free. Photon is freemium (free tier + paid plans). Visit their websites for detailed pricing.