KeyCDN vs Fastly: Which is Better in 2026?
Choosing between KeyCDN 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: Fastly wins this matchup. BunnyCDN is our overall CDN pick. Photon is our free CDN pick. Pick KeyCDN if you need CDN.
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:
KeyCDN
High-performance content delivery network
Best for you if:
- • You want affordable CDN
Fastly
Edge cloud for fast, secure, scalable online experiences
Best for you if:
- • You want ultra-fast edge
| At a Glance | KeyCDN | Fastly |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | $0.02/GB Volume 100TB | $500/mo Compute Starter |
Category | CDN Cloud & Infrastructure | Cloud & Infrastructure CDN |
Rating | 4.4/5 G2 4.5 · SourceForge 4.3 138 reviews | 4.7/5 G2 4.7 · Capterra 4.5 88 reviews |
Free plan | No | No |
Watch out for | n/a | Overage fees for exceeding request limits |
Choose KeyCDN or Fastly?
Choose KeyCDN if
- You want affordable CDN
- You want good performance
- Budget matters ($0.02/GB vs $500/mo)
- 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
KeyCDN
High-performance content delivery network
KeyCDN's pricing is quite competitive, especially the 'Pay as you go' tier at $0.04/GB, which is fair for smaller users.
Strengths
- Pro: Affordable CDN
- Pro: Good performance
- Pro: Pay-as-you-go
- Pro: Image processing
- Pro: Good documentation
Weaknesses
- Con: Smaller network
- Con: Less features than CF
- Con: Limited DDoS protection
- Con: Support basic
- Con: Less known
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: KeyCDN vs Fastly
| Plan | KeyCDN | Fastly |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | usage-based Pay as you go | $1500 Network Basic |
| Tier 2 | $0.03 /GB Volume 10TB | $6000 Network Starter |
| Tier 3 | $0.02 /GB Volume 100TB | $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 KeyCDN pricing and Fastly pricing.
Key Takeaways
Fastly
- Higher user rating: 4.7/5 vs 4.4/5
- Our pick for this comparison
KeyCDN
- Larger review base (138 reviews)
- Better fit for CDN
The Bottom Line
Fastly wins this matchup. BunnyCDN is our overall CDN pick. Photon is our free CDN pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is KeyCDN or Fastly better in 2026?
Fastly wins this matchup. BunnyCDN is our overall CDN pick. Photon is our free CDN pick. Pick KeyCDN for CDN workflows (main strength: affordable CDN). Pick Fastly for cloud & infrastructure workflows (main strength: ultra-fast edge).
What are KeyCDN and Fastly used for?
KeyCDN: High-performance content delivery network. Fastly: Edge cloud for fast, secure, scalable online experiences.
What does KeyCDN cost vs Fastly?
KeyCDN's paid plans start at $0.02/GB (Volume 100TB). Fastly's paid plans start at $500/mo (Compute Starter).
What's the main difference between KeyCDN and Fastly?
KeyCDN's main strength: affordable CDN. Fastly's main strength: ultra-fast edge.