NS1 vs Akamai: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between NS1 and Akamai 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.
By Toolradar Team · Last updated February 28, 2026 · Methodology
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
NS1
Managed DNS and traffic management
Best for you if:
- • You need hosting & deployment features specifically
- • NS1 is an intelligent DNS and traffic management platform
- • It provides fast DNS resolution with traffic steering and analytics
Akamai
Enterprise CDN and cloud security platform
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.5/10 vs 8.2/10)
- • You need cdn features specifically
- • Akamai is a global CDN and cloud security provider powering many of the world's largest websites
- • It delivers content from edge servers worldwide while protecting against DDoS and web attacks
| At a Glance |  NS1 |  Akamai |
|---|---|---|
Price | Paid | Paid |
Best For | Hosting & Deployment | CDN |
Rating | 82/100 | 85/100 |
| Feature | NS1 | Akamai |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| Editorial Score | 82 | 85 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Hosting & DeploymentMonitoring | CDNVulnerability Scanning |
How NS1 and Akamai Compare
NS1
Managed DNS and traffic management
Paid · 82/100 score
Akamai
Enterprise CDN and cloud security platform
Paid · 85/100 score
NS1 is a hosting & deployment tool. Akamai is in cdn.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are paid. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Akamai
Want the highest-rated option?
NS1: 82/100. Akamai: 85/100.
Go with: Akamai
Value user reviews?
Neither has user reviews yet.
Go with: Akamai
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are paid. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
NS1 is a hosting & deployment tool. Akamai is in cdn. Pick the category that matches your needs.
How important are ratings?
Akamai scores higher: 85/100 vs 82/100.
Key Takeaways
Akamai
- Higher score: 85/100 vs 82
- Our pick for this comparison
NS1
- Better fit for hosting & deployment
The Bottom Line
Akamai (85/100) is our pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is NS1 or Akamai better?
Akamai scores 85/100 in our evaluation. Both are paid.
What are NS1 and Akamai used for?
NS1: Managed DNS and traffic management. Akamai: Enterprise CDN and cloud security platform.
What does NS1 cost vs Akamai?
NS1 is a paid tool. Akamai is a paid tool. Visit their websites for detailed pricing.